Boeing has delivered the first B-52 bomber fitted with the new APQ-188 active electronically scanned array (AESA) radar to the US Air Force, where it will undergo testing at Edwards Air Force Base.
The aircraft, upgraded under the B-52 Radar Modernization Program (RMP), completed ground integration and functional verification at Boeing’s San Antonio facility before being ferried to California.
The RMP package includes two Display and System Sensor Processors that link the radar with existing onboard systems, along with two high-resolution touchscreen displays at the navigator and radar navigator stations, complemented by fighter-style hand controllers.
Further enhancements comprise a dedicated liquid-cooling system for the radar and engine bleed-air heating to maintain performance in extreme cold conditions. Data gathered during flight trials will inform subsequent development stages and support the planned retrofit of all 76 operational B-52 aircraft.
The radar upgrade is part of long-running efforts to extend the bomber’s service life and enhance its combat effectiveness.
Early studies into radar replacement began several years ago, focusing on transitioning from the legacy AN/APQ-166 radar to a modern AESA solution.
These efforts progressed through laboratory evaluations, ground tests, and system integration, culminating in initial flight testing and the delivery of the first fully modernized aircraft in 2025.
The program supports wider modernization initiatives, including avionics, weapons integration, and defensive system upgrades, ensuring the B-52 remains a credible global strike platform through at least 2050.
