Open Call: B-1 Connector Flex Duct

The B-1 Bomber is a critical asset in the U.S. Air Force’s strategic arsenal, designed to provide long-range, high-speed precision strikes in support of national defense. Its ability to operate effectively depends on a wide range of components, including its intricate systems for managing airflow and temperature regulation. The connector flex duct is a vital part of these systems, ensuring the proper routing and containment of airflow to critical components within the bomber. However, this essential part has become increasingly difficult to procure due to obsolescence and discontinued production by Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs). For this proposal, A&B has been in direct contact with Morgan Bilyeu and Leann Hua at the AFLCMC/WBNLC, B-1 Bomers Directorate ESA.  Ms. Bilyeu and Ms. Hua requested source development of the connector flex duct (NSN 4720011695587 / P/N: 300592-5 / Task 1B179) needed to support the B-1 Bomber (Figure 1). Ms. Bilyeu and Ms. Hua’s contact information are below. The lack of availability for the connector flex duct directly impacts the operational readiness of the B-1 Bomber, creating significant challenges for maintenance crews. Without this part, critical systems cannot function as intended, potentially grounding the aircraft and reducing mission capability. Compounding the issue, the technical data required to fabricate or reverse engineer the flex duct is either incomplete or outdated, further complicating efforts to address this gap in the supply chain. A&B Foundry has extensive experience in reverse engineering and manufacturing solutions for legacy systems like the B-1 Bomber. The company specializes in addressing obsolescence by developing updated Technical Data Packages (TDPs) and Source Approval Requests (SARs) for non-procurable components. A&B’s proven track record of delivering first articles for qualification testing and supporting the Defense Logistics Agency (DLA) makes it an ideal partner for solving this critical problem.