Pentagon tests new radar on Cold War-era aircraft as Air Force plans to keep 64-year-old bombers flying into the 2050s and potentially beyond.
The U.S. Air Force has begun testing a modernized radar system that could keep its fleet of 76 aging B-52H bombers flying for decades to come, with military leaders now openly discussing the prospect of the aircraft reaching a century of active service.
A single B-52H equipped with an advanced radar system arrived at Edwards Air Force Base in California on Dec. 8 after flying from a Boeing facility in San Antonio, Texas. Test pilots from the Air Force’s 419th Flight Test Squadron will conduct ground and flight trials throughout 2026, with results driving a production decision on whether to upgrade the entire fleet later in the year.
The radar modernization addresses a critical vulnerability in the Cold War-era bomber. The aircraft currently relies on what the Air Force describes as an “antiquated and failing” mechanically scanned sensor, the Northrop Grumman AN/APQ-166. The new system, Raytheon’s AN/APQ-188, represents a significant technological leap, incorporating an active electronically scanned array based on radar technology proven in Navy F/A-18E/F Super Hornet and EA-18G Growler fighters.
“This radar modernisation ensures that the B-52 will continue to serve as a cornerstone of American airpower well into the future,” Air Force Secretary Troy Meink said.
The B-52H fleet averages 64 years old, according to aviation analytics firm Cirium. Each bomber is already more than twice the age of most crew members. Despite nearly seven decades of service, Pentagon planners expect the aircraft to remain operational until the 2050s or beyond—potentially becoming the first U.S. military aircraft to serve 100 years.
The radar upgrade is one component of a broader modernization effort. The Air Force plans to eventually designate fully upgraded aircraft as B-52Js, incorporating new Rolls-Royce F130 engines, updated communications systems, improved crew compartments, and enhanced avionics. That configuration has been delayed until the 2030s.
While the Air Force plans to retire its stealthy Northrop Grumman B-2 and supersonic Boeing B-1B bombers as the next-generation B-21 enters production, the B-52 will continue flying alongside newer platforms.
The improved radar will support the bomber’s evolved mission. No longer the carpet bomber of the Vietnam War era, modern B-52s carry precision weapons, including the AGM-158 Joint Air-to-Surface Standoff Missile and the AGM-181 low-observable nuclear cruise missile. The aircraft’s 70,000-pound payload capacity allows it to carry significant quantities of such weapons, which can be launched while remaining safely beyond enemy defenses.
“We are committed to extending the life of this vital platform, allowing it to operate alongside next-generation fighter and bomber aircraft,” Meink said.
Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Kenneth Wilsbach emphasized the strategic importance of the upgrade.
“The B-52 Radar Modernization Program is about more than technology, it’s about readiness, deterrence, and the ability to fight and win,” Wilsbach said. The four-star general confirmed the improved B-52J will continue serving in deterrence and strike roles for decades.
Raytheon’s AN/APQ-188 incorporates features from both the AN/APG-79 radar used in carrier-based fighters and the newer APG-82 radar found in the Boeing F-15EX. The sensor upgrade enables improved targeting and all-weather navigation capabilities essential for operating alongside next-generation aircraft.
The modernization reflects a broader Pentagon strategy of extending the service life of proven platforms while developing advanced systems. The Air Force continues integrating new weapons systems into the B-52, leveraging its large bomb bays and substantial payload capacity to deliver precision munitions from standoff ranges.
Testing at Edwards will evaluate both ground and aerial performance, with specialized system engineers working alongside test pilots to validate the radar’s capabilities before any fleet-wide production decision.
Key Takeaways
- The Air Force is testing new radar technology on a single B-52H bomber at Edwards AFB, with results determining whether all 76 aircraft receive the upgrade.
- The current B-52H fleet averages 64 years old, with Pentagon officials planning to keep the bombers flying until the 2050s or beyond—potentially reaching 100 years of service.
- The new Raytheon AN/APQ-188 radar is based on proven technology from Navy F/A-18 Super Hornet fighters and will replace the “antiquated and failing” current system.
- The radar upgrade is part of broader B-52 modernization efforts, including new engines, communications systems, and avionics, with the fully upgraded B-52J configuration delayed until the 2030s.
