US Air Force upgrades legendary B-52 strategic bombers
PHOTO
WORLD 01 June 2023 - 16:24
A comprehensive programme has been launched to modernise the B-52 strategic bombers, which have been in service with the US Air Force for many years.
A B-52 from the 307th Bomb Wing arrived at a Boeing, facility in San Antonio, on May 25, to begin receiving the Active Electronically Scanned Array system (AESA), as part of the Air Force’s B-52 Radar Modernisation Programme, the Aviation Geek Club reports.
“The arrival of this aircraft is a big deal, and signals the beginning of a key part of our effort to modernize the B-52 fleet,” said Col. Louis Ruscetta, Senior Materiel Leader for the Air Force Life Cycle Management Center’s B-52 Program Office, which is leading the Radar Modernisation Programme, and overall effort to modernise the bomber. “AESA will replace 1960s radar technology, and greatly increase the navigation and targeting capabilities of the B-52 in higher threat areas.”
In addition to increased situational awareness and navigation and targeting ability, AESA is designed to be adaptable, so that new capabilities to address future threats, can be added via software modifications.
Boeing and Raytheon are both heavily involved in the installation process.
“Boeing is the OEM [original equipment manufacturer] for the B-52, so their long-standing history and knowledge of the platform is really critical to making sure we can get this [AESA] out as quickly as possible,” he said. “We are also working with Raytheon on the radar side. Overall, the partnership helps ensure we have a government off-the-shelf solution that minimizes development and helps reduce both the development and test timelines.”
Installation of AESA is one of the largest upgrades to the B-52 in the history of the fleet. The effort will cost approximately $2.8 billion, with initial operational capability expected in 2027.
“Sustainability is an important part of this effort because the old radar is unsustainable,” said Ruscetta. “The advancement in combat capability that AESA will bring is really critical in keeping this aircraft effective with our near-peer adversaries. The new radar is an enabler for our long-range standoff capability and will prepare the aircraft for optimized lethality.”
As the USAF migrates toward the two-bomber fleet of B-21s and B-52s the new AESA radar, in the form of the APG-79B4, is a “game changer” for the BUFF. The APG-79 is effectively the same radar as on the export version of the Navy F/A-18 fighter, with the array turned “upside down” so it looks more down at the ground than up at the sky.
The APG-79 will be a fighter-quality radar and will be used not only to support air-to-ground operations but will also be better able to operate with other coalition partners because the bomber will be able to use the same sensor format. It will be able to scan farther, guide weapons in flight, and improve the bomber’s situational awareness.
Flight testing with the new radar will start in late 2025, and the first production versions should be built around the same time. They’ll be installed in early 2027 and the initial operational capability (IOC) with the radar will consist of 12 aircraft as the required assets available for the declaration.
According to the US Air Force’s fiscal 2024 budget documents, once they receive their new Rolls Royce F130 engines and AESA radars, B-52Hs will become B-52Js.
The USAF expects B-52Js with both new engines and new radars to be available for operational use before the end of the decade.
Caliber.Az
1
|
Ukraine, West unleash hybrid operation against Azerbaijan Baku disappointed with Kyiv’s actions
25 March 2024 - 15:25
|
2
|
Syrian scenario for Armenia Russian, Israeli experts’ views for Caliber.Az
26 March 2024 - 17:27
|
3
|
Serbian president warns of difficult days ahead
27 March 2024 - 11:04
|
4
|
Understanding the complexities of Russian-Turkish relations Putin's delayed visit to Türkiye
25 March 2024 - 14:26
|
5
|
Poland suspends military drills following fifth soldier's death
27 March 2024 - 13:41
|
Armenia lured by Brussels' bait
Yerevan’s pivot from Moscow28 March 2024 - 15:58
What does the Moscow terror attack mean for Russia?
The enemy is much closer28 March 2024 - 15:43
The Hub: COP29 to nudge global climate policy in a more pragmatic position
28 March 2024 - 15:29
Armenia’s ruling party affirms unity amidst allegations of “government in exile”
28 March 2024 - 15:14
Armenian opposition media alleges PM Pashinyan plot to remove Russian base
28 March 2024 - 15:00
PKK supporters spark chaos at Charles de Gaulle Airport in Paris
VIDEO28 March 2024 - 14:49
Media: Terrorists in Moscow attack drugged with psychotropic substances
28 March 2024 - 14:40
Azerbaijani Ombudswoman meets with Armenian residents in Khankendi
28 March 2024 - 14:31
Georgian Business Association names main problem for business in Georgia
28 March 2024 - 14:22
S Korea, US, Japan discuss security cooperation against N Korea threats
28 March 2024 - 14:10
Armenian prime minister's office denounces government in exile
28 March 2024 - 14:00
Traders аre buying oil at fastest rate since 2020
28 March 2024 - 13:55
China’s Xi meets foreign business leaders amid jitters over economy
28 March 2024 - 13:42
Armenian MP predicts Russian border guard withdrawal from Azerbaijan border
28 March 2024 - 13:36
Kyrgyzstan warns citizens against online recruitment after Moscow terrorist attacks
28 March 2024 - 13:36
Foreign firms' losses from exiting Russia top $107 billion
28 March 2024 - 13:30
Russia exposes concerns over April 5 Armenia-EU-US high-level Brussels meeting
Moscow warning against growing western influence28 March 2024 - 13:22
US “strongly supports” Azerbaijan's COP29 presidency
28 March 2024 - 13:17
Senegal seeks independence from Paris
France loses another "colony"28 March 2024 - 13:04
Turkish foreign minister condemns PKK terrorism spreading abroad
28 March 2024 - 13:04
Le Figaro confession: France's failed policy towards Azerbaijan exposed
Pressure on Baku proved pointless28 March 2024 - 12:55
Armenian pundit: Pashinyan is called to Brussels to accept Baku’s conditions
28 March 2024 - 12:51
Khankendi continues to be cleared of Armenian weapons
NUMBERS28 March 2024 - 12:39
Russian Foreign Ministry accuses NATO of preparing for potential conflict
28 March 2024 - 12:30
Armenian banks ceasing Russian Mir cards threatens economic stability
Economist warns28 March 2024 - 12:21
Vucic warns of Serbia's Council of Europe departure amid Kosovo debate
Double standards alert28 March 2024 - 12:13
Yerevan does not recognize any “Karabakh government in exile”
Armenian PM’s statement28 March 2024 - 12:04
Azerbaijan to host international conference on mine clearance
28 March 2024 - 11:55
Kazakh leader calls for expansion of transit ties between Asian countries
28 March 2024 - 11:46
Fixing a fractured world in an age of uncertainty
Amashov converses with former Serbian President Boris Tadic/VIDEO28 March 2024 - 11:29
Armenian frontiers announce recruitment to Yerevan airport
28 March 2024 - 11:21
Kremlin urges Telegram to pay attention to use of social network by terrorists
28 March 2024 - 11:20
Western Azerbaijani Community accuses France of meddling in regional affairs
28 March 2024 - 11:14
Japan eyes upgrade of airports, ports for possible defence use
28 March 2024 - 11:08
France plans to turn South Caucasus into battlefield
Azerbaijan's security chief says28 March 2024 - 10:59
Armenia to abstain from CSTO drills amid "frozen" membership
28 March 2024 - 10:47
Azerbaijani Military Institute's cadets hone skills through naval training
PHOTO/VIDEO28 March 2024 - 10:34
Russian intelligence chief's visit to Pyongyang sparks speculation
28 March 2024 - 10:22
Turkish Aselsan secures multi-million-dollar export contracts for advanced defence systems
28 March 2024 - 10:10
Tension mounts within Armenia's ruling party amid recent attacks
28 March 2024 - 09:58