Northrop Hit With Two Stop-Work Orders on B-2 : Defense: Air Force imposed sanctions, which are typically an indication of serious technical problems.
The Air Force has imposed two stop-work orders on Northrop Corp. involving stealth-related systems on the B-2 bomber, according to information provided by the Air Force to Congress.
The stop-work orders were issued last May and in May, 1990, on two different classified subsystems that help the aircraft escape detection by enemy radar, the Air Force said last week in response to questions posed by Rep. Jim Slattery (D-Kan.) at an Oct. 3 hearing.
In a vague statement, the Air Force said that one of the stop-work orders was eliminated through a contractual change--apparently by replacing a system with alternative technology. The other stop-work order, issued because a system’s technological objective could not be achieved, apparently remains in place.
The Air Force statement did not indicate what type of stealth technology was affected, but it appeared to involve a type of radar jammer or other electronic countermeasures system. Sources said the orders do not involve any of the B-2’s composite plastic skins or other radar absorbing materials.
Typically, stop-work orders are an indication of serious technical problems. The Air Force statement left unclear whether the two orders had any serious bearing on the B-2’s stealth capabilities.
After the last stop-work order was issued in May, the B-2 failed a test of its stealth capabilities in a flight out of Edwards Air Force Base. The failure was disclosed by Air Force Secretary Donald Rice to Congress, triggering a controversy that in part lead to a cutback in funding for the program this fall.
Since the stop-work orders were issued before the test, they are not likely to have been related to the testing failure, according to sources.
Northrop spokesman Tony Cantafio said he could not clarify the matter, citing the program’s classified status. But he said the stop-work order had no financial effect on the firm and only a “minimal” effect on employment.
The Air Force released its statement in response to questions Slattery asked Eleanor Spector, the director of defense procurement, at the Oct. 3 hearing.
