![]() A B-52H Stratofortress takes off from Fairchild Air Force Base, Washington during an Agile Combat Employment exercise Aug. The two redesignations might be required as the B-52 pilot operating manual and maintenance manuals will need to be re-written because of the new radar and again when the engines are replaced. The last redesignation was in 1961 when, with the installation of the TF33 engines, the designation changed from B-52G to the current B-52H. It is possible that the B-52 will get two redesignations as the modifications move forward, becoming the B-52J or possibly B-52K. “The first jets that will come out of that mod line will most likely have radar only, and then at some point, probably at their next depot timeline, come back to get the engine replacement,” said Col. The two modifications, however, are not expected to happen at the same time, at least in the beginning. Flight testing of the B-52 fitted with the AGP-79B4 is scheduled to start in late 2025, while the initial operating capability is expected in 2027. Before it can accommodate the new radar, the bomber will need modifications to its cooling systems, and the radar antenna will be positioned “upside down” so that it can look down at the ground rather than the upward angle used for the Super Hornet. The new AESA radar will improve the situational awareness, giving the B-52 a better ability to identify and prosecute targets. Louis Ruscetta, the Air Force’s Senior Materiel Leader of the B-52 Division, as the “most exciting modification” in terms of adding new capability to the bomber and “a game changer”. The B-52, in fact, will be outfitted with the APG-79 radar used by the F/A-18E/F Super Hornet, which has been defined by Col. The CERP is just one part of the modification program for the B-52, with the other major one being the radar. Boeing engineers said in the video that the nacelles will be way more fuel efficient and easier to maintain than the original ones. The new nacelles will benefit from the experience of one of the world’s largest suppliers of struts and nacelles, incorporating the latest advancements in this sector. The new nacelles will be supplied by Spirit AeroSystems, which was awarded a contract from Boeing earlier this year to provide both struts and nacelles for the CERP program. While their overall shape is still the same, the new nacelles are bigger than the original ones, while the new struts are shorter and get the nacelles closer to the wing. The new nacelles and struts are clearly visible in the video released by Boeing. John Newberry, Air Force bombers program executive officer. “The B-52 CERP is a complex upgrade that not only updates the aircraft with new engines, but updates the flight deck area, struts and nacelles,” said last year Brig. This ensures the new engines will work as expected. The #B52 Commercial Engine Replacement Program completed wind tunnel testing using similar models used by engineers in the 1950s to collect data for future flight tests. We predict a windy forecast this #B52sday at #ASC22. The new engines are expected to remain on the B-52 through at least 2050, increase fuel efficiency, increase range, reduce emissions in unburned hydrocarbons, and significantly reduce maintenance costs. The Air Force plans to finalize integration activities and deliver the first lot of B-52 modified aircraft in the 2026-2027 timeframe, with initial operational capability expected in 2030.
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