Boeing B-52 Bomber Engines: Boeing Defense Systems has received a very big contract worth $2.04 billion from the U.S. Department of War. The deal was given on December 23, 2024. This new task order allows Boeing to continue work on the B-52 Commercial Engine Replacement Program. This phase comes after the Critical Design Review and focuses on detailed testing and integration work.
The main goal of this program is to replace the old TF33 engines on the B-52 bomber with new Rolls-Royce F130 engines. Each upgraded bomber will use eight new engines. These changes will turn the aircraft into the new B-52J version. Boeing will handle the full system integration, aircraft changes, and testing using two B-52 planes fitted with the new engines and related systems.
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Work Timeline
The work under this contract will continue for many years and is planned to finish by May 31, 2033. Boeing will carry out the work at several locations across the United States. These include Oklahoma City, San Antonio, Seattle, and Indianapolis. The engine replacement effort is part of a larger plan to upgrade all 76 B-52H Stratofortress aircraft into the new B-52J model.
This engine upgrade is very important because the current TF33 engines are decades old and costly to maintain. The new Rolls-Royce F130 engines will improve fuel use, extend the bomber’s flying range, and make maintenance easier and faster for ground crews.
Radar and Technology Improvements
Along with new engines, the B-52J program also includes major technology upgrades. One key project is the B-52 Radar Modernization Program. This replaces the old AN/APQ-166 radar with the modern AN/APQ-188 AESA radar. This new radar design comes from systems already used on fighter jets like the F/A-18E/F and F-15.
One B-52 aircraft fitted with the new radar flew to Edwards Air Force Base on December 8, 2025. Teams from Edwards and Barksdale Air Force Bases are now testing the radar to ensure it works properly in real flight conditions.
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Together, the new engines and radar will make the B-52 bomber more efficient, easier to maintain, and better at detecting targets. The program also includes upgrades to the aircraft structure and onboard electronics. These improvements will help keep the B-52 flying until at least 2050. In the future, the B-52J will serve alongside the newer B-21 Raider as part of the United States’ two-aircraft strategic bomber force.
