US Air Force invests millions to modernize B-52 bombers

The United States Air Force is investing heavily in the modernization of the B-52 Stratofortress to transition the aircraft into the B-52J configuration. This program aims to ensure the Cold War-era bomber remains operationally viable through the 2050s.

Contracts totaling approximately $766 million have been awarded to Boeing and Raytheon. Raytheon is tasked with a $603 million project to replace the obsolete mechanical AN/APQ-166 radar with the AN/APQ-188 Active Electronically Scanned Array (AESA) system. This upgrade is intended to improve reliability for both nuclear and conventional missions, specifically enhancing navigation and weather avoidance. Additionally, Boeing has been assigned a nearly $163 million project to modernize the aircraft’s bomb racks.

The modernization effort has faced challenges. A report from the Government Accountability Office (GAO) indicated that acquisition costs have risen by more than 30 percent, exceeding $2.9 billion. Technical setbacks and budget overruns have also delayed the expected operational deployment of these upgrades until 2030.