Boeing Delivers B-52 With Advanced Radar to US Air Force
Boeing has handed over the first B-52 equipped with a new APQ-188 active electronically scanned array radar to the US Air Force for testing at Edwards Air Force Base.
The aircraft, part of the B-52 Radar Modernization Program (RMP), received ground integration and functional checks at Boeing’s San Antonio facility before arriving in California.
Troy Dawson, vice president of Boeing Bombers, said the radar will enhance situational awareness, accelerate target engagement, and improve aircrew survivability in contested environments.
The RMP installation includes two Display and System Sensor Processors to integrate radar with existing aircraft systems, two high-definition touchscreens at the Nav and Radar Nav stations for imagery and controls, and fighter-style hand controllers.
Additional upgrades include liquid cooling for the radar and engine bleed-air heating to ensure functionality in extreme cold. Data collected during flight testing will guide future developmental phases and the eventual retrofit of all 76 operational B-52s.
B-52 Radar Modernization Program
The B-52 RMP is part of decades of ongoing efforts to extend the bomber’s operational life and improve its capabilities.
Initial studies for radar upgrades began years ago, with Boeing and the air force exploring how to replace the legacy AN/APQ-166 radar with modern, active electronically scanned arrays.
Subsequent phases included ground and lab testing, system integration, and initial flight tests leading up to the first fully equipped aircraft delivered in 2025.
The program aligns with broader modernization initiatives, such as upgrades to avionics, weapons systems, and defensive countermeasures, ensuring the B-52 remains a reliable global strike platform through at least 2050.
