DefenseBoeing will receive an additional $2.04 billion to upgrade the aging B-52 bombers
The US Department of Defense approved the payment of $2.04 billion as part of the extension of the contract with Boeing in the Commercial Engine Replacement Program (CERP) for the Air Force’s B-52 bomber.
The contract covers the Critical Design Review (CDR) phase of the program, with Rolls-Royce F130 engines expected to equip the upgraded B-52J bomber. Initial funding will start with $35.77 million in fiscal year 2026.
The work is scheduled to be completed by May 31, 2033, and will be carried out at various locations in the US, including Oklahoma City, San Antonio, Seattle, and Indianapolis.
The program involves updating the fleet of 76 B-52H Stratofortress to the B-52J configuration, which also includes more capable AESA radars.
In 2021, Rolls-Royce was selected to provide the F130 engine, based on the BR725, to replace the old TF-33, after winning against competitors like GE and Pratt & Whitney.
The choice of the F130 aims to ensure that the B-52 remains operational until at least 2050. The BR725, the base platform for the new engine, is employed in executive jets and offers greater efficiency and reliability compared to the current engines.
The B-52 will thus coexist with the B-21 Raider, a 6th generation bomber currently under development by Northrop Grumman.
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