photo #9393675

Aviation CircleThe U.S. Air Force revealed yesterday that the total acquisition cost of its program to re-engine the B-52 has been set at $20.2 billion, as the service prepares to keep the legendary bomber flying until at least the 2050s.The B-52 Commercial Engine Replacement Program will replace the bomber's original Pratt & Whitney TF33 engines with new Rolls-Royce F130s. Each B-52 will keep its distinctive eight-engine layout, but all eight engines will be replaced. Once this and other upgrades are complete, the Air Force plans to redesignate the bomber as the B-52J.The $20.2 billion figure covers the full acquisition program, including research and development, testing, procurement and military construction. The Air Force says $2.6 billion has already been spent since 2018.The upgrade goes beyond the engines themselves. The program also brings new generators, hydraulic pumps, cockpit displays and flight systems, while a separate modernization program will replace the bomber's old analog radar with a modern AN/APQ-188 AESA radar.The first two test aircraft are expected to arrive at Boeing's San Antonio facility in the next few months to receive both the new engines and the new radar.Perhaps most remarkable is the age of the aircraft themselves. The B-52's design dates to the late 1940s, and today's B-52Hs were built in 1961 and 1962. Yet as part of this program's review, the Air Force found the bomber's structure remains strong enough to support the new engines, more electrical power and decades more of flying.