$766M in Contracts Awarded for B-52 Radar Modernization Program
The US Air Force has awarded two contracts worth up to $766 million for the B-52 Radar Modernization Program, which aims to replace an analogue radar with a more advanced active electronically scanned array (AESA) system.
The largest contract, valued at up to $603 million, was awarded to Raytheon and covers production and sustainment of the AN/APQ-188 radar across the B-52 fleet, running through 20 August 2031. Boeing received a smaller delivery order worth up to $162.97 million for bomb rack modernization kits.
The new radar is an active electronically scanned array in the same family as those carried by modern fighters and offers improved situational awareness, faster target prosecution, and enhanced aircrew survivability in contested environments.
Despite delays, including a two-year slippage in flight testing from fiscal 2024 to 2026, the Air Force remains committed to upgrading its B-52 fleet with the new radar system. The programme's total cost has climbed to around $2.58 billion, and some capabilities have been scaled back to hold costs down.