Boeing has delivered the first B-52 Stratofortress equipped with the new APQ-188 AESA radar to the US Air Force for testing at Edwards Air Force Base. The aircraft is part of the Radar Modernization Program, which replaces the bomber’s aging legacy radar with a modern, software-driven sensor. Installation included new processors, touchscreen displays, cooling systems, and upgraded controls to integrate radar data seamlessly with existing avionics. Flight testing will validate performance and inform the retrofit of the entire B-52 fleet. The upgrade supports the bomber’s role as a long-range strike platform through at least 2050.
