B-52 Radar Modernization Program Secures $766M in New Contracts
The US Department of War announced on August 25 that Raytheon and Boeing had secured contracts worth up to $766 million as part of the B-52 Radar Modernization Program. The program aims to replace the old AN/APQ-166 analogue radar with a new active electronically scanned array (AESA) derived from fighter radars, the AN/APQ-188.
The contract is substantial, considering the task involves replacing one radar system with another on an aircraft that first flew in 1955 and is expected to continue flying until at least the 2050s. The new radar has already been airborne since December 2025 but was initially meant to be deployed two years earlier.
The Raytheon contract, worth up to $603 million, covers production and sustainment of the AN/APQ-188 across the B-52 fleet, which consists of 76 operational aircraft. The Boeing contract, valued at up to $162.97 million, involves manufacturing and delivering bomb rack modernization system kits.
The program has faced delays and cost overruns, with total reported costs climbing to around $2.58 billion. Despite these challenges, the Air Force sees the radar upgrade as crucial for maintaining the B-52's effectiveness in contested environments.