The brand new contract covers the Publish-Essential Design Assessment section of the B-52 Business Engine Substitute Program, which is able to exchange the TF33 engines with the brand new F130s.
The U.S. Division of Struggle awarded on Dec. 23, 2024 a $2.04 billion activity order to Boeing Protection Programs to proceed the work on the B-52 Business Engine Substitute Program (CERP). The contract covers the Publish-Essential Design Assessment (CDR) section of this system that can see the Rolls-Royce F130 engines powering the upgraded B-52J bomber.
Preliminary funding for this system will start with $35.77 million in Fiscal 2026, masking analysis, improvement, check, and analysis funds. Tinker AFB, Oklahoma, serves because the contracting exercise for the challenge.
As per the award, Boeing will full system integration work, modification and testing of two B-52 plane with the brand new engines and related subsystems. The work, scheduled to be accomplished by Might 31, 2033, might be undertaken throughout a number of areas together with Oklahoma Metropolis, Oklahoma; San Antonio, Texas; Seattle, Washington; and Indianapolis, Indiana.
B-52J improve program with CERP and RMP
The CERP program is a part of the broader effort that can improve the Air Power’s 76 B-52H Stratofortresses to the B-52J configuration, changing the legacy but crucial bombers’ eight out-of-production TF33 engines with eight Rolls-Royce F130s. The F130 completed its Essential Design Assessment (CDR) precisely a 12 months in the past, in mid-December 2024, with the ultimate designs validated by means of overview of analyses, simulations, schematics, software program code, and check outcomes.
One other program inside the broader effort is the B-52 Radar Modernization Program (RMP), that replaces the older AN/APQ-166 radars with the AN/APQ-188 Lively Electronically Scanned Array (AESA) radar. The AN/APQ-188 is derived from the F/A-18E/F Tremendous Hornet’s AN/APG-79, with another options discovered on the AN/APG-82 of the U.S. Air Power’s F-15E and F-15EX.
One B-52 built-in with the AN/APQ-188 was ferried to Edwards AFB, California, on Dec. 8, 2025, the bottom introduced, as a part of the RMP. Barksdale AFB’s forty ninth Take a look at and Analysis Squadron and Edwards AFB’s 419th TES will conduct in depth trials of its efficiency to validate the potential and efficiency parameters envisaged for the B-52J improve.
Collectively, the brand new radar and the engine supply improved multi-mode radar features like artificial aperture scanning, ground-moving goal indication, elementary air-to-air detection, higher gas effectivity, vary and maintainability.
The B-52J program additionally includes an total structural improve, a brand new suite of electronics, shows, navigation, avionics to maintain the ‘BUFF’ bomber fleet in service by means of 2050. The Air Power sooner or later goals to function a two-aircraft strategic long-range bomber fleet with the B-52J and the incoming B-21 Raider, retiring the B-2 Spirit and the B-1B Lancer.
CERP and RMP delays
The Struggle Zone has beforehand reported that the re-engining effort has overshot deadlines, with operational use no longer anticipated earlier than 2033, three years later than initially deliberate. Full fleet re-engining is probably not accomplished till 2036. Likewise, the RMP too has been by delays.
We beforehand reported right here at The Aviationist in regards to the points within the RMP: “Raytheon delivered the primary radar to the Air Power almost two years in the past, however flight testing, initially deliberate for Fiscal Yr 2024, was postponed to Fiscal Yr 2026. This delay additionally shifted the anticipated preliminary operational functionality from 2027 to a window between 2028 and 2030.”
CERP technical effort
The CERP program to change and set up the Rolls-Royce F130s on the 2 B-52Hs sees Boeing as the first contractor, however requires lots of different technical infrastructure and materials assist from different protection distributors for the re-engining, integration and subsequent testing with modification kits.
The unique Feb. 27, 2025 Sources Sought Synopsis discover, later up to date in March, April, Might, July proper as much as the newest Dec. 23, 2025, CERP award to Boeing, stated:
“The B-52J CERP manufacturing section necessities contains: Procurement and/or manufacturing of plane elements to assist set up of recent engines and related sub-systems onto the B-52 plane. (engines might be supplied individually by the Authorities). Constructing, storing, and delivering plane modification kits to Tinker AFB or different designated areas, if required, on an as wanted foundation by means of the manufacturing section for as much as 76 B-52H plane together with extra spare elements, manufacturing tooling and assist tools to assist installations in a five-to-eight-year interval, beginning FY28.”
Boeing will “choose plane modification element suppliers; develop plane modification set up drawings; and set up the modification on two B-52 check plane.” It additionally lists the “anticipated plane modification kits” and their Authentic Gear Producers:
Engine Struts (OEM Spirit Aero)
Built-in Drive Mills (OEM Collins)
Hydraulic pumps (OEM Parker)
Engine nacelles and fairings (OEM Spirit Aero)
Generator Management Items (OEM Collins)
Hydraulic reservoirs
Engine throttle controls
Energy distribution containers (OEM Boeing)
Energy wiring
Engine begin switches
Air starter auxiliary unit (OEM Honeywell)
Management wiring
Engine instrument show (OEM L3 Collins)
Air starter auxiliary unit controller
Attachment {hardware}
Engine knowledge concentrator items (OEM Boeing)
Hydraulics panel in cockpit
Pneumatic pre-coolers
Electrical panel in cockpit
Pneumatic elements and ducting
Anti-ice methods (OEM Liebherr)
Air Information System Probes (OEM Collins Rosemont)
True Air Temp Sensors (OEM Collins Rosemont)
