The U.S. Air Force has moved two major B-52 modernisation efforts forward at once, clearing the Commercial Engine Replacement Program for development and authorising low-rate initial production for the Radar Modernisation Program. The work will push the B-52H closer to the planned B-52J configuration, with Rolls-Royce F130 engines replacing TF33 powerplants and a new AN/APQ-188 AESA radar replacing the legacy APQ-166, while Boeing prepares modifications at its San Antonio, Texas site.
Milestone B for the engine programme was reached on 1 June, formally opening the Engineering and Manufacturing Development phase and establishing the first acquisition baseline for a programme valued at $20.2 billion. The Air Force has also assigned two dedicated test aircraft for the re-engining effort, which is intended to improve reliability, maintenance support and electrical capacity across the fleet.
The radar programme reached Milestone C on 21 August, allowing production to begin after testing and production-readiness work. Low-rate initial production contracts were awarded in August to Raytheon and Boeing, covering five production lots and 74 kits. The B-52 modernisation effort is central to keeping the bomber viable into the 2050s, even as the service has not set a new production start date for operational B-52J aircraft.