The US Air Force has taken delivery of the first B-52 bomber fitted with Boeing’s APQ-188 AESA radar, beginning a new phase of flight testing under the Radar Modernization Program at Edwards Air Force Base. The upgrade replaces the decades-old AN/APQ-166 radar, significantly enhancing detection, tracking, and targeting performance for the long-range bomber fleet.
The aircraft completed ground integration and system verification at Boeing’s San Antonio site before transferring to California. As part of the upgrade, the bomber received new sensor processors that allow seamless integration between the radar and existing mission systems. The cockpit was also updated with high-resolution touchscreen displays and advanced hand controllers, modernizing crew interfaces and mission management.
Supporting enhancements include a dedicated liquid-cooling solution for the radar and improved engine bleed-air heating, enabling reliable operations across a wide range of climates. Information collected during the flight test campaign will shape future development and validate configurations ahead of fleet-wide installation across all active B-52 aircraft.
The Radar Modernization Program reflects decades of planning aimed at sustaining the B-52’s operational effectiveness well into the mid-21st century. Alongside upgrades to weapons systems, avionics, and electronic warfare defenses, the new radar ensures the iconic bomber remains a survivable and flexible platform for global strike missions through 2050 and beyond.
