Northrop CEO: deal to accelerate B-21 production could arrive in months

A deal to increase production of the Air Force’s B-21 bomber could be reached by March, Northrop Grumman’s CEO said. But a looming government shutdown could hinder talks, as one did last fall.Kathy Warden said no agreement has been reached about the $4.5 billion in reconciliation funding approved last year to speed up next-generation bomber production, but that she was optimistic for a deal in the next few months. As of last year, the company has taken a roughly $2 billion hit trying