US Air Force Official Declares B-52 Modernization Stabilized After Cost and Schedule Delays

The US Air Force has announced that the modernization program for its B-52 Stratofortress bomber fleet has stabilized following significant cost overruns and schedule delays. William Bailey, acting as the Air Force’s acquisition executive, testified before the House Armed Services Subcommittee that recent reviews with government and industry partners have resolved previous uncertainties. The modernization effort includes two major upgrades: the Commercial Engine Replacement Program, which swaps aging Pratt & Whitney engines for Rolls-Royce F130s, and a new radar system. Both projects experienced substantial setbacks, with engine costs rising to $15 billion and initial operational capability delayed to 2033. Similarly, the radar upgrade faced a Nunn-McCurdy cost breach, with prices increasing by approximately $1 billion and fielding pushed to 2030. Despite these challenges, officials assert the programs are now on solid ground. These upgrades are critical for keeping 76 B-52 bombers operational until the 2050s, complementing the incoming B-21 Raider fleet while the B-1 and B-2 bombers face extended service lives. Congressional representatives, including Rep. Clay Higgins, emphasized the need for strict financial oversight to prevent further overruns in this high-cost defense initiative.