B-52 Modernization Clears Major Hurdles: New Engines and AESA Radar Move Forward

# What changed in 2026 The U.S. Air Force reached two acquisition milestones for long-term B-52 modernization. On June 1, Milestone B approved the B-52J Commercial Engine Replacement Program (CERP) to enter Engineering and Manufacturing Development. On Aug. 21, Milestone C cleared the B-52 Radar Modernization Program (RMP) for Low-Rate Initial Production (LRIP).

# Why these decisions matter

# Aviate: engines and support systems CERP replaces the B-52's aging TF33 engines with commercial-derivative Rolls-Royce F130 engines. The program also modernizes supporting subsystems: hydraulic pumps, cockpit displays, flight systems, and generators to increase electrical power.

Two dedicated test aircraft, currently flying operational missions after depot maintenance, are scheduled to enter modification at Boeing's San Antonio facility in the coming months. Those jets will receive both CERP and RMP modifications concurrently.

# Navigate: modern AESA radar RMP replaces the 1980s-era APQ-166 analog radar with the APQ-188, an Active Electronically Scanned Array (AESA) radar related to radars used on the F-15 and F/A-18. Milestone C authorized LRIP, and contracts were awarded to Raytheon Technologies for radars and Boeing for aircraft integration kits, starting with Lot 1 of four kits.

The production plan calls for five lots delivering 74 integration kits intended to balance production stability and affordability. Ground testing of the initial software build and a Production Readiness Review in June 2026 confirmed hardware maturity and producibility for initial production.

# Communicate and eliminate: other upgrades in the pipeline Work continues on survivable nuclear command-and-control communications, including Extremely High Frequency (EHF) terminals, and on conventional beyond-line-of-sight capabilities such as Hybrid SATCOM. Weapons integration efforts include the latest variants of the Long-Range Anti-Ship Missile and the Joint Air-to-Surface Standoff Missile. The B-52 also remains a test platform for hypersonic weapons.

# Structural health and fleet sustainment As part of Milestone B activities, the program office completed structural assessments across the fleet to ensure the airframe can support new engines, higher electrical generation, and more decades of operations. Analyses indicate the B-52's airframe—originally designed in the late 1940s and built into the early 1960s—retains substantial structural life.

# Program leadership perspective Brig. Gen. Timothy Spaulding, portfolio acquisition executive for Bombers and director of the Air Force Life Cycle Management Center's Bombers Directorate, said these milestones reflect program maturity and the partnership among the program office, Boeing, Rolls-Royce, and Raytheon. William Bailey, performing the duties of the assistant secretary of the Air Force for Acquisition, Technology and Logistics, described CERP as a critical investment in the B-52's long-range strike and deterrence capacity.

# Bottom line August 2026 milestones move two central modernization efforts into development and production phases. The engine replacement and AESA radar upgrades address propulsion reliability, sensor capability, and electrical power needs, and program testing and assessments indicate readiness to proceed while preserving the airframe for continued service through mid-century.