The new contract covers the Post-Critical Design Review phase of the B-52 Commercial Engine Replacement Program, which will replace the TF33 engines with the new F130s.
The U.S. Department of War awarded on Dec. 23, 2024 a $2.04 billion task order to Boeing Defense Systems to continue the work on the B-52 Commercial Engine Replacement Program (CERP). The contract covers the Post-Critical Design Review (CDR) phase of the program that will see the Rolls-Royce F130 engines powering the upgraded B-52J bomber.
Initial funding for the program will begin with $35.77 million in Fiscal 2026, covering research, development, test, and evaluation funds. Tinker AFB, Oklahoma, serves as the contracting activity for the project.
As per the award, Boeing will complete system integration work, modification and testing of two B-52 aircraft with the new engines and associated subsystems. The work, scheduled to be completed by May 31, 2033, will be undertaken across multiple locations including Oklahoma City, Oklahoma; San Antonio, Texas; Seattle, Washington; and Indianapolis, Indiana.
B-52J upgrade program with CERP and RMP
The CERP program is part of the broader effort that will upgrade the Air Force’s 76 B-52H Stratofortresses to the B-52J configuration, replacing the legacy yet critical bombers’ eight out-of-production TF33 engines with eight Rolls-Royce F130s. The F130 finished its Critical Design Review (CDR) exactly a year ago, in mid-December 2024, with the final designs validated through review of analyses, simulations, schematics, software code, and test results.
Another program within the broader effort is the B-52 Radar Modernization Program (RMP), that replaces the older AN/APQ-166 radars with the AN/APQ-188 Active Electronically Scanned Array (AESA) radar. The AN/APQ-188 is derived from the F/A-18E/F Super Hornet’s AN/APG-79, with some other features found on the AN/APG-82 of the U.S. Air Force’s F-15E and F-15EX.
One B-52 integrated with the AN/APQ-188 was ferried to Edwards AFB, California, on Dec. 8, 2025, the base announced, as part of the RMP. Barksdale AFB’s 49th Test and Evaluation Squadron and Edwards AFB’s 419th TES will conduct extensive trials of its performance to validate the capability and performance parameters envisaged for the B-52J upgrade.
Together, the new radar and the engine offer improved multi-mode radar functions like synthetic aperture scanning, ground-moving target indication, elementary air-to-air detection, better fuel efficiency, range and maintainability.
The B-52J program also involves an overall structural upgrade, a new suite of electronics, displays, navigation, avionics to keep the ‘BUFF’ bomber fleet in service through 2050. The Air Force in the future aims to operate 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 War Zone has previously reported that the re-engining effort has overshot deadlines, with operational use now not expected before 2033, three years later than originally planned. Full fleet re-engining may not be completed until 2036. Likewise, the RMP too has been afflicted by delays.
We previously reported here at The Aviationist about the issues in the RMP: “Raytheon delivered the first radar to the Air Force nearly two years ago, but flight testing, initially planned for Fiscal Year 2024, was postponed to Fiscal Year 2026. This delay also shifted the expected initial operational capability from 2027 to a window between 2028 and 2030.”
CERP technical effort
The CERP program to modify and install the Rolls-Royce F130s on the two B-52Hs sees Boeing as the primary contractor, but requires a lot of other technical infrastructure and material support from other defense vendors for the re-engining, integration and subsequent testing with modification kits.
The original Feb. 27, 2025 Sources Sought Synopsis notice, later updated in March, April, May, July right up to the latest Dec. 23, 2025, CERP award to Boeing, said:
“The B-52J CERP production phase requirements includes: Procurement and/or production of aircraft components to support installation of new engines and associated sub-systems onto the B-52 aircraft. (engines will be provided separately by the Government). Building, storing, and delivering aircraft modification kits to Tinker AFB or other designated locations, if required, on an as needed basis through the production phase for up to 76 B-52H aircraft including additional spare parts, production tooling and support equipment to support installations in a five-to-eight-year period, starting FY28.”
Boeing will “select aircraft modification component suppliers; develop aircraft modification installation drawings; and install the modification on two B-52 test aircraft.” It also lists the “anticipated aircraft modification kits” and their Original Equipment Manufacturers:
- Engine Struts (OEM Spirit Aero)
- Integrated Drive Generators (OEM Collins)
- Hydraulic pumps (OEM Parker)
- Engine nacelles and fairings (OEM Spirit Aero)
- Generator Control Units (OEM Collins)
- Hydraulic reservoirs
- Engine throttle controls
- Power distribution boxes (OEM Boeing)
- Power wiring
- Engine start switches
- Air starter auxiliary unit (OEM Honeywell)
- Control wiring
- Engine instrument display (OEM L3 Collins)
- Air starter auxiliary unit controller
- Attachment hardware
- Engine data concentrator units (OEM Boeing)
- Hydraulics panel in cockpit
- Pneumatic pre-coolers
- Electrical panel in cockpit
- Pneumatic components and ducting
- Anti-ice systems (OEM Liebherr)
- Air Data System Probes (OEM Collins Rosemont)
- True Air Temp Sensors (OEM Collins Rosemont)
