Qarbon Aerospace has secured a contract to manufacture composite structures for the US Air Force’s B-1B Lancer strategic bomber, supporting ongoing efforts to sustain the aging aircraft fleet. Under the agreement, Qarbon will produce the structures for Wichita State University’s National Institute for Aviation Research (NIAR). The financial details and specific components covered by the contract have not been disclosed.
The contract builds on a collaboration between Qarbon Aerospace and NIAR announced in late 2025. NIAR contributes expertise in aircraft design, structural analysis, prototyping, certification, and manufacturing process development, while Qarbon provides large-scale production capabilities for complex composite and metallic aerostructures. Under the new arrangement, composite structures developed through NIAR’s research activities will advance into prototype production at Qarbon’s facilities.
US Air Force Continues B-1B Modernization
The agreement comes as the US Air Force continues to sustain and modernize its B-1B Lancer fleet while preparing for the introduction of the next-generation B-21 Raider stealth bomber. Budget documents indicate that the service planned to allocate $342 million for B-1 modernization between 2027 and 2031, with efforts intended to keep the aircraft operationally relevant through 2037.
In July, B-1B personnel at Dyess Air Force Base in Texas conducted a validation event focused on integrating the AGM-158C Long Range Anti-Ship Missile using updated hardware and weapons software. Earlier, in May, a B-1B returned from Wichita following major structural repairs at NIAR, which involved replacing a section of the forward intermediate fuselage that forms part of the aircraft’s upper structural spine. These activities highlight the continued emphasis on maintaining the bomber’s structural integrity, operational capability, and long-term service life.
