ANJ, December 13 - In a pivotal advancement for strategic airpower, the United States Air Force has initiated rigorous testing of the advanced AN/APQ-188 Active Electronically Scanned Array (AESA) radar on the iconic B-52 Stratofortress bomber. On December 8, 2025, the first modified B-52H completed a ferry flight from Boeing's San Antonio, Texas, facility to Edwards Air Force Base in California, where the 412th Test Wing and 419th Flight Test Squadron will oversee ground and flight evaluations extending through 2026. This milestone, part of the $3.3 billion B-52 Radar Modernization Program (RMP), replaces the aging AN/APQ-166 legacy radar with cutting-edge technology designed to restore and amplify the bomber's all-weather navigation, targeting precision, and situational awareness capabilities. Developed by Raytheon Technologies (RTX) and integrated by Boeing, the AN/APQ-188 promises to transform the B-52 into a more resilient asset against evolving global threats, ensuring its dominance in long-range strike missions.
The AN/APQ-188 AESA radar represents a quantum leap in B-52 avionics, leveraging electronic beam steering for rapid target acquisition and multi-mode operations that surpass the limitations of mechanically scanned predecessors. Enhanced thermal management, including liquid cooling and engine bleed-air heating, guarantees reliable performance across extreme climates, from arctic patrols to desert operations. Complementing the radar are upgraded mission computers and dual 8-inch by 20-inch touchscreens at the navigator stations, streamlining data fusion and crew decision-making. Despite developmental hurdles, such as radome and processor integration that triggered a 17% cost overrun and a Nunn-McCurdy review earlier this year, the system's delivery underscores the Air Force's commitment to overcoming integration challenges. Initial functional checks in Texas confirmed seamless aircraft compatibility, paving the way for comprehensive trials that will validate the radar's role in contested environments.
This radar upgrade forms the cornerstone of the broader B-52J modernization roadmap, which encompasses Rolls-Royce F130 engine replacements for a 20% range boost, avionics overhauls, and expanded weapons integration to sustain the fleet's nuclear and conventional deterrence posture through 2050. With 76 operational B-52s slated for retrofits, the RMP addresses sustainment issues plaguing the 70-year-old platform, whose original TF33 engines and outdated electronics have strained maintenance resources. As the B-1B and B-2 Spirit phase out, the B-52's evolution positions it as a bridge to next-generation platforms like the B-21 Raider, amplifying U.S. global strike flexibility. Air Force Secretary Troy Meink emphasized that these enhancements will "modernize the bomber force," reinforcing the Stratofortress's legacy as a versatile workhorse in high-stakes operations.
As testing data informs production decisions later in 2026, the B-52 radar modernization heralds a new era of aerial superiority, blending proven endurance with state-of-the-art sensors to counter peer adversaries. Boeing's Bomber Programs Vice President Troy Dawson highlighted the program's focus on "getting it right at the start," a strategy poised to yield exponential gains in mission effectiveness and aircrew survivability. For defense enthusiasts and aviation professionals tracking B-52 upgrades, this development not only revitalizes a Cold War icon but also exemplifies innovative engineering in sustaining America's strategic edge.