The United States Air Force is taking another major step to keep one of its oldest military aircraft, B-52 bomber, flying well into the future. Boeing has secured a $2.04 billion contract to continue work on replacing the engines of the B-52 Stratofortress bomber, a plane that first entered service more than six decades ago.
The contract focuses on advancing the Commercial Engine Replacement Program (CERP) after the aircraft successfully passed a key design milestone late last year. The work will involve integrating new engines into the bomber, testing systems, and modifying two aircraft as part of the next development phase.
According to the Department of Defense, the project is expected to run through May 31, 2033, making it one of the longest and most significant modernization efforts currently underway for a U.S. military aircraft.
What the New Contract Covers
Under this task order, Boeing will complete system integration work following the program’s critical design review, which was completed in December 2024. The company will also oversee the modification and testing of two B-52 bombers equipped with new engines and related systems.
Funding for the program will be released in stages. While about $35.8 million has already been committed, the bulk of the funding will begin flowing in 2026 as research, testing, and evaluation work expands.
The project will be carried out across several U.S. locations, including:
- Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
- San Antonio, Texas
- Seattle, Washington
- Indianapolis, Indiana
Tinker Air Force Base in Oklahoma will oversee the contract.
Why the B-52 Still Matters
Despite its age, the B-52 remains a central part of U.S. airpower. The Air Force currently operates 75 B-52 bombers, and officials plan to keep them in service through at least 2050, even as newer aircraft like the B-2 and B-21 enter the fleet.
Built by Boeing, the B-52 is a long-range bomber capable of carrying both nuclear weapons and precision-guided conventional munitions. Over the decades, it has been adapted for new missions and technologies, allowing it to remain relevant despite dramatic changes in warfare.
The aircraft’s size and capabilities are still impressive. It can carry up to 70,000 pounds of payload, fly at speeds of up to 650 miles per hour, and travel roughly 8,800 miles without refueling. A crew of five operates the aircraft, which can reach altitudes of up to 50,000 feet.
Engine Replacement: A Long-Overdue Upgrade
At the heart of the modernization effort is the replacement of the bomber’s aging engines. The current B-52 fleet still relies on Pratt & Whitney TF33 engines, which have been in use since 1962.
These older engines are expensive to maintain, less fuel-efficient, and increasingly difficult to support due to aging parts and supply chains. To solve this problem, the Air Force selected the Rolls-Royce F130 engine as the replacement.
The F130 engines will be manufactured in the United States by Rolls-Royce North America. The company has invested more than $600 million in its Indianapolis facilities to support production and advanced manufacturing for the program.
Rolls-Royce says the new engines will improve reliability, lower fuel consumption, and significantly reduce long-term maintenance costs. Importantly, the engines are designed to stay on the aircraft for the remainder of the B-52’s service life, limiting the need for future engine swaps.
Broader Modernization Efforts
The engine upgrade is only one part of a much larger plan to modernize the B-52 fleet. The Air Force is also updating the aircraft’s radar, communications, navigation systems, and overall configuration.
One of the most notable upgrades is a new radar system known as AN/APQ-188, which is based on technology already used in modern fighter jets like the F/A-18 and F-15. Boeing recently completed early radar integration testing at Port San Antonio, marking progress toward full deployment.
These improvements are designed to ensure the bomber remains effective in modern combat environments and can work alongside newer aircraft for decades to come.
San Antonio’s Growing Role
Port San Antonio is playing an increasingly important role in the B-52 program. In addition to engine-related work, the site has already hosted radar integration and system checks for the aircraft.
Local reporting indicates that work tied to the bomber’s modernization could continue in San Antonio through at least 2033, supporting jobs and long-term economic activity in the region.
Other major work locations include Seattle, where Boeing is headquartered, and Indianapolis, which serves as the manufacturing base for the new engines.
Financial and Strategic Analysis
From a financial perspective, the B-52 engine replacement program highlights how the U.S. military is choosing modernization over replacement. Rather than retiring the bomber and building an entirely new fleet, the Air Force is investing billions to extend the life of an aircraft that has already proven reliable and adaptable.
For Boeing, the contract provides long-term revenue visibility at a time when defense spending remains a stabilizing force for the company. Programs like the B-52 upgrade help balance the risks and delays often seen in commercial aviation.
Rolls-Royce North America also stands to benefit significantly. The F130 engine program strengthens the company’s U.S. manufacturing footprint and locks in decades of maintenance and support work.
For taxpayers, the strategy may prove cost-effective. Upgrading existing aircraft avoids the enormous expense of designing, testing, and producing an entirely new bomber fleet, while still delivering improved performance and lower operating costs.
More broadly, the program reflects a shift in defense spending toward sustainment and efficiency, rather than rapid replacement. As budgets face increased scrutiny, extending the life of proven platforms could become a more common approach.
In short, the B-52 engine upgrade is not just about keeping an old aircraft flying—it is a calculated financial and strategic decision that supports U.S. manufacturing, stabilizes major defense contractors, and spreads costs over decades instead of years.
