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On Dec. 23, 2025 the US Air Force (USAF) awarded Boeing Defense Systems, based in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma a $2 billion order related to the B-52 commercial engine replacement program (CERP).
The USAF has awarded Boeing Defense Systems, based in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, a $2.04 billion task order for the B-52 CERP Post-Critical Design Review (PCDR) Development. It also includes the modification and testing of two B-52 aircraft with new engines and associated subsystems.
According to RTT, work will be carried out across multiple locations, including Oklahoma City, Oklahoma; San Antonio, Texas; Seattle, Washington; and Indianapolis, Indiana. The project is expected to be completed by May 31, 2033.
In September 2022, the Department of the US Air Force has awarded a $2,604,329,361 contract to Rolls-Royce Corporation, Indianapolis, Indiana, for B-52H Stratofortress military derivative commercial engines.
The B-52 CERP supports nuclear and conventional operations by replacing the current TF33-PW-103 engine on the B-52H aircraft. The TF33-PW-103 engine is increasingly difficult to sustain due to diminished manufacturing sources and obsolescent technologies; the Air Force Propulsion Directorate projects the engine will become unsustainable by 2030. This sustainment program will replace the current TF33-PW-103 engine with new military derivative commercial Rolls-Royce F130 engines of similar size, weight, and thrust characteristics.
Along with the new engines, CERP will replace associated subsystems, such as engine struts and nacelles, the electrical power generation system, and cockpit displays. The development, production, and installation of new engines and related subsystems will replace the legacy equipment on all 76 B-52H aircraft. The CERP modified aircraft will be designated as B-52J. B-52 CERP will take advantage of advances in technology and ongoing development efforts to acquire engines and integrate them into the B-52.
The use of new technology will increase both the overall reliability/maintainability of the propulsion system and produce additional electrical power generation capabilities for emerging requirements. The B-52 CERP will allow the operational command (Air Force Global Strike Command) to fully utilize the capabilities of the B-52J aircraft to employ an array of nuclear and conventional weapons while saving fuel and extending the range/loiter capabilities of the aircraft. In addition, applicable training devices must also be developed, modified and/or upgraded in conjunction with the aircraft modifications. This upgrade will also require the corresponding modification of a B-52 Weapon System Trainer. As CERP brings the additional capability to the B-52, emerging security/certification requirements (nuclear hardening, cyber security, program protection, etc.) will also need to be addressed.
Besides the new Rolls-Royce F130 engines, the BUFF will receive a new radar in the form of the new APG-79B4 active, electronically scanned array radar (AESA).
As the USAF migrates toward the two-bomber fleet of B-21s and B-52s the new AESA radar is a “game changer” for the BUFF. The APG-79 is effectively the same radar as on the export version of the Navy F/A-18 fighter, with the array turned “upside down” so it looks more down at the ground than up at the sky.
The APG-79 will be a fighter-quality radar and will be used not only to support air-to-ground operations but will also be better able to operate with other coalition partners because the bomber will be able to use the same sensor format. It will be able to scan farther, guide weapons in flight, and improve the bomber’s situational awareness. The B-52 today is still flying with its 1960s mechanical-scan radar.
As already reported, flight testing with the new radar started earlier this month, and the first production versions should be built around the same time. They’ll be installed in early 2027 and initial operational capability (IOC) with the radar will consist of 12 aircraft as the required assets available for the declaration.
The USAF expects B-52Js with both new engines and new radars to be available for operational use before the end of the decade.
Photo credit: Rolls Royce
Military Aviation