The U.S. Air Force plans to begin modernization of the first B-52H Stratofortress aircraft this year, including the installation of new engines and additional upgrades. Officials from the Air Force Life Cycle Management Center reported the completion of the review phase for the Commercial Engine Replacement Program (CERP). With the design now approved, the path toward the start of modernization has effectively been cleared.
Lieutenant Colonel Tim Cleaver, the CERP program manager, stated that this milestone represents a key step in the upgrade of the B-52 fleet with new Rolls-Royce F130 engines. He noted that the critical design review concludes extensive engineering and integration work carried out by Boeing, Rolls-Royce, and the U.S. Air Force, enabling the B-52J configuration to remain in operational service for future decades.
Boeing, which originally developed the B-52 Stratofortress and serves as the prime contractor for the Commercial Engine Replacement Program (CERP), is currently managing the procurement and production of upgrade components. At its San Antonio facility, the company plans to modernize the first two B-52H Stratofortress aircraft by installing new engines and implementing additional system upgrades. The first aircraft is expected to arrive at the site for modification later this year. After modernization, the aircraft will be transferred to Edwards Air Force Base for extensive testing and validation of the updated systems. Following completion of the test phase, the U.S. Air Force plans to proceed with fleet-wide upgrades of the remaining Stratofortress aircraft.
The B-52H Stratofortress has been in service for approximately 65 years, with 76 aircraft currently remaining in operational use. However, the platform’s age is increasingly evident. Its TF33 engines have not been replaced since the 1960s, and sourcing spare parts has become progressively more difficult. In 2024, the aircraft’s mission-capable rate was reported at below 54%.
The U.S. Air Force plans to operate the B-52 Stratofortress at least through the 2050s and is implementing a large-scale modernization program under which the aircraft will be redesignated as the B-52J. The core element of the upgrade is the installation of new engines, but the program also includes modernization of cockpit digital control systems, higher-capacity generators, avionics, radar, landing gear, and weapons integration.
Rolls-Royce stated that reaching this milestone confirms the program remains on schedule. Jennifer Scherwin, Director of Defense Programs at Rolls-Royce, said the development reflects the strength of the company’s partnership with the U.S. Air Force and Boeing under the Commercial Engine Replacement Program. She noted that the effort is being executed “quickly and precisely,” supporting the transition to the B-52J configuration and sustaining critical capabilities into the 2050s.
In December 2025, the Air Force awarded Boeing a contract valued at more than $2 billion to begin the engine replacement phase. The overall cost of the engine replacement effort is estimated at approximately $15 billion, while the Department of Defense Inspector General has projected that roughly a dozen B-52 modernization programs could reach a combined cost of $48.6 billion.
In the long term, the U.S. Air Force plans to maintain a bomber fleet composed of two main platforms: the modernized B-52 Stratofortress in its B-52J configuration, and at least 100 stealth B-21 Raider aircraft.
At the same time, the B-1B Lancer and B-2 Spirit are currently planned for retirement during the 2030s. However, budget documentation for fiscal year 2027 indicates that their operational service life could be extended beyond earlier projections, depending on force structure decisions and modernization timelines.
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Source: airandspaceforces
