Boeing’s newly awarded $2.04-billion contract marks a major milestone in the US Air Force’s effort to modernize its aging B-52 bomber fleet through the Commercial Engine Replacement Program. The task order focuses on post-design review development, integrating Rolls-Royce F130 engines and conducting modification and testing activities on two B-52 test aircraft. Execution will span several industrial hubs across the United States, reflecting the scale and complexity of the upgrade, with program completion targeted for 2033. The initiative replaces the bomber’s legacy TF33 engines with modern commercial-derivative powerplants, delivering gains in reliability, fuel efficiency, and sustainment efficiency while lowering lifecycle costs. Beyond propulsion, the upgrade enables enhanced electrical output and digital controls needed to support next-generation avionics and weapons. Central to the B-52J transformation is the integration of the AN/APQ-188 AESA radar, derived from proven fighter platforms, which significantly improves air-to-air and air-to-ground sensing performance. Together with structural reinforcements and cockpit modernization, the engine replacement ensures the B-52 remains a viable strategic asset capable of adapting to evolving mission demands well into the mid-21st century.
