# B-2 Squadrons — Program Element 0101127F

**Program element:** 0101127F  
**Component:** U.S. Air Force  
**Appropriation:** 3600 — RDT&E, Air Force  
**Budget Activity:** 7 — Operational System Development  
**Vintage:** President's Budget PB2027  
**Canonical URL:** https://hitchintel.com/programs/0101127F

## Summary

U.S. Air Force funding ramps 478% to a $418.2M request in FY2027, before stepping down 49% across the five-year plan. In the FY2027 defense authorization, the House cut 4.8% (to $398.2M) while the Senate funded it in full. Northrop Grumman leads the industry work.

## Funding profile

| Fiscal Year | Estimate Type | Amount ($M) |
|---|---|---|
| FY2025 | Actual | 44.0 |
| FY2026 | Enacted | 72.4 |
| FY2027 | Request | 418.2 |
| FY2028 | Outyear | 572.0 |
| FY2029 | Outyear | 667.4 |
| FY2030 | Outyear | 409.5 |
| FY2031 | Outyear | 212.0 |

> Estimate types are not summed — the profile mixes actuals, enacted law, the request, and outyear projections.

## Congressional marks (FY2027)

| Stage | Marked ($M) | Change ($M) |
|---|---|---|
| Request | 418.2 | — |
| House NDAA (HASC) | 398.2 | −20.0 |
| Senate NDAA (SASC) | 418.2 | +0.0 |

> FY2027 NDAA authorization marks, as of 2026-07-27. Not appropriations or final law.

## Projects (2)

| Project | Title | FY2025 actual | FY2026 enacted | FY2027 request | Move |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 675345 | B-2 Modernization | 36.0 | 64.4 | 418.2 | +550% |
| 676021 | BASELINE SUPPORT | 8.0 | 8.0 | 0.0 | −100% |

> Projects are the summable leaves: the program element total is their sum, never added to it.

### Project 675345 — B-2 Modernization

The B-2 is currently undergoing modernization of avionics, communications systems, cockpit displays, armament systems, low observable components, core training system components, aircraft supportability improvements, and support equipment development. The Air Force will continue to study multiple structural, avionics, and engine modifications, as well as advanced weapons integration, communications upgrades, and innovative low observable enhancements, that could improve the performance of the aircraft and engines and reduce maintenance man-hours and the logistics footprint of the fleet. The Adaptable Communications Suite (ACS) Increment 4.0 provides secure beyond line-of-sight Satellite Communication (SATCOM) Command and Control connectivity. ACS 4.0 will replace the current radios and ancillaries to transition the B-2 SATCOM's capability from the Ultra High Frequency Follow-On (UFO) satellite constellation, which is reaching end of life, to the Mobile User Objective System (MUOS) satellite constellation bringing enhanced security and functionality for beyond line-of-sight (BLOS) communications. Along with the aircraft system, the ACS ground systems and infrastructure will be redesigned to support this new waveform. ACS 4.0 significantly improves the transfer time for real-time mission planning data and allows for simultaneous use of SATCOM voice and data. Answering the warfighters requests for additional highly secure communications pathway, funds will support the development and integration of Digital High Frequency (HF) radio suite and Alternative Communications radio, that will enable the B-2 to communicate and receive critical messages while operating in highly contested environments. This capability can be used globally, but it is critical once the B-2 enters a highly contested airspace. B-2 Battlespace Collaborative Combat Communications (B2C3) effort integrates an independent Open Mission Systems (OMS) avionics architecture on the B-2, as well as upgrades the B-2's current line-of-sight (LOS) capability. B2C3's objective is to identify, leverage, and integrate existing capabilities to meet Air Force Global Strike Command's B-2 communications requirements. B2C3 will be implemented in two main increments defined as Spiral 1 and Spiral 2.

**Named R-3 performers** (share of this project's FY2027 R-3 total, so they need not reach 100%)**:** Northrop Grumman (215.5, 52%), DCS (1.3, 0.3%).

| Activity (R-2A) | FY2025 | FY2026 | FY2027 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Low Observable Signature and Supportability Mods and Trainers | 1.5 | 3.2 | 6.3 |
| B-2 Advanced Communications -- Adaptable Communications Suite (ACS) 4.0 | 16.7 | 0.0 | 0.0 |
| B-2 Advanced Communications -- B-2 Battlespace Collaborative Combat Communications (B2C3) | 14.1 | 1.1 | 0.9 |
| B-2 Display Modernization (BDM) | 2.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 |
| B-2 Trainers Modernization | 1.7 | 0.0 | 0.0 |
| MGUE (Military GPS User Equipment) | 0.0 | 0.0 | 12.5 |
| Global Lightning / Hybrid SATCOM | 0.0 | 0.0 | 34.1 |
| Modular Rotary Launcher Assembly (MRLA) | 0.0 | 0.0 | 167.1 |
| Expanded Strike | 0.0 | 0.0 | 90.3 |
| Flight Test (Baseline Support) | 0.0 | 0.0 | 9.6 |
| Radar Modernization | — | 0.0 | 80.0 |
| B-2 Digital High Frequency (HF) Communications | — | 0.0 | 17.3 |

> R-2A activities carry the prior, current and budget year only — no five-year plan. Coverage is partial, so count them, never total them.

### Project 676021 — BASELINE SUPPORT

Baseline Support maintains and upgrades the B-2 unique flight test aircraft as well as hardware/software and instrumentation and test equipment to support developmental and operational systems integration and flight test. Baseline Support also provides for other B-2 unique government costs and includes assorted studies of aircraft performance as well as acquisition planning activities, up to and including proposal preparation, for future aircraft, engine, weapon, communication, navigation or other capabilities, including range support. B-2 funding may be used to resolve emerging safety of flight and diminishing manufacturing sources issues, and fulfill FAA or other mandates necessary to ensure continued aircrew safety and mission effectiveness. Funding may also support innovation activities including, but not limited to, studies, analyses, requirements definition, and quick-reaction capability prototypes/demonstrations to accelerate planning for technology transition, technology insertion, and future acquisition programs.

| Activity (R-2A) | FY2025 | FY2026 | FY2027 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Baseline Support Flight Test | 8.0 | 8.0 | 0.0 |

> R-2A activities carry the prior, current and budget year only — no five-year plan. Coverage is partial, so count them, never total them.

## Where the FY2027 request goes

| Category | Share | $M |
|---|---|---|
| Industry primes | 52% | 216.9 |
| Other / unspecified | 48% | 201.3 |

**Top named industry performers:** Northrop Grumman ($215.5M, 52%).

> R-3 exhibit contract funding, not USAspending obligations.

## Mission & acquisition strategy

The B-2 is currently undergoing modernization of avionics, communications systems, cockpit displays, armament systems, low observable components, core training system components, aircraft supportability improvements, and support equipment development. The Air Force will continue to study multiple structural, avionics, and engine modifications, as well as advanced weapons integration, communications upgrades, and innovative low observable enhancements, that could improve the performance of the aircraft and engines and reduce maintenance man-hours and the logistics footprint of the fleet.

The B-2 is currently undergoing modernization of avionics systems, communication systems, cockpit displays, low observable components and training systems as well as the integration of advanced weapons. Most, but not all B-2 modernization programs utilize a sole source contract with the prime/integrating contactor (Northrop Grumman). Key elements of the acquisition strategy include: use of cost plus incentive fee and fixed price incentive fee development contracts, as well as the combination of developmental upgrades with software sustainment blocks to minimize the number of software releases, aircraft downtime, and number of fielded configurations.

## Related program elements

- [0101126F — B-1B Squadrons](https://hitchintel.com/programs/0101126F) (Air Force)
- [0604010F — Next Generation Adaptive Propulsion (NGAP)](https://hitchintel.com/programs/0604010F) (Air Force)
- [0604567N — Ship Contract Design/ Live Fire T&E](https://hitchintel.com/programs/0604567N) (Navy)
- [0702207N — Depot Maintenance (NON-IF)](https://hitchintel.com/programs/0702207N) (Navy)

## Source & machine access

- **Source:** FY2027 Department of the Air Force RDT&E Budget Justification, Exhibits R-2/R-3, PE 0101127F (PB PB2027); FY2027 NDAA committee marks (as of 2026-07-27).
- **MCP:** `mcp.hitchintel.com` — `budget_get_program_element(pe="0101127F")`.

*HitchAI is an independent intelligence service, not affiliated with the U.S. Department of Defense. Budget figures are requests/estimates, not obligations.*