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USAF to study options to replace B-52
In 2027 the US Air Force (USAF) will begin to study options to replace the iconic B-52 Stratofortress.
In fact, according to documents released with the fiscal 2027 budget request, the US Air Force (USAF) will begin in Fiscal Year 27 (FY27) to analyze the future long range strike requirements to determine future B-52 requirements and costs and/or a new heavy bomber aircraft configuration and costs.
As per the document “New heavy bomber analysis of alternatives will begin initial planning activities to develop key performance parameters, key system attributes, and additional performance attributes for a follow-on heavy bomber in the USAF. The FY27 work scope will include key planning activities for programmatic, requirements, capabilities, and vendor options that could field in the future.”
Moreover, “Systems Improvement is permitted to fund software development, test, and modernization efforts, updates to Operational Flight Programs (OFPs), and software merges to integrate and operationally implement new capabilities on the B-52. These capabilities include hardware and software updates in the areas of communications, avionics, advanced weapons and targeting pods. Updates to System Integration Laboratories (SILs) are required to integrate software into the various hardware, validate user requirements, and review system safety and security prior to release to flight test. The labs require continual upgrades to increase development and test efficiencies and to remain in compliance with all security and cyber requirements.”
The backbone of the strategic bomber force
For more than 70 years, B-52s have been the backbone of the strategic bomber force for the United States. The B-52 is capable of dropping or launching the widest array of weapons in the US inventory. This includes gravity bombs, cluster bombs, precision guided missiles and joint direct attack munitions. Updated with modern technology, the B-52 is capable of delivering the full complement of joint developed weapons and will continue into the 21st century as an important element of our nation’s defenses. The Air Force currently expects to operate B-52s through 2050.
The B-52A first flew in 1954, and the B model entered service in 1955. A total of 744 B-52s were built, with the last, a B-52H, delivered in October 1962. The first of 102 B-52H’s was delivered to Strategic Air Command in May 1961.
A Fiscal Year 2019 budget announcement included funding for 75 B-52Hs until at least 2050 and a $22 billion upgrade package including the aim to fit new engines. As part of the same plan, the B-2A and B-1B are scheduled to retire early when the Northrop Grumman B-21 Raider stealth bomber enters service.
B-52J CDR
As already reported, the B-52J Commercial Engine Replacement Program (CERP) recently held its Critical Design Review (CDR), a pivotal milestone that enables the modification of two B-52 aircraft with new engines.
With the design now finalized, the program is rapidly moving toward aircraft modification. Boeing, the prime contractor for integration, is procuring and manufacturing parts, and will begin modifying the first two B-52H aircraft into the B-52J configuration at its facility in San Antonio, Texas.
The first bomber is scheduled to arrive for modification later this year.
The modernization effort centers on replacing the TF33 engines with fuel-efficient F130 engines, manufactured by Rolls-Royce. The upgrade also includes new subsystems, such as a modern generator for each engine, which will significantly increase the aircraft’s electrical power capacity to support future capabilities.
Following this initial work, the two modified B-52J test aircraft will undergo extensive testing at Edwards AFB, California to validate the new systems. Once testing is complete, the program will move toward modifying the remainder of the B-52H fleet.
Rolls-Royce will manufacture, assemble, and test the F130 engine in Indianapolis, Rolls-Royce’s largest production facility in the US Rolls-Royce has invested more than $1.5 billion in the U.S. over the last decade, including modernizing Indianapolis facilities to deliver innovation and advanced manufacturing to the Air Force and other customers with American labor.
AESA radar
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: Tech. Sgt. Robert J. Horstman / U.S. Air Force and Boeing
