Boeing Delivers First AN/APQ-188 AESA-Equipped B-52 as Air Force Begins New Test Phase

On December 11, 2025, Boeing announced that it has delivered the first B-52 bomber fitted with a new modern radar system to the U.S. Air Force. The aircraft has now arrived at Edwards Air Force Base for a full series of tests, beginning the next major phase of the B-52 Radar Modernization Program.

The aircraft completed its ferry flight to Edwards after successful radar integration work and system checks at Boeing’s facility in San Antonio. The Air Force says this marks the transition from factory work to an official test campaign that will guide future upgrades across the entire fleet.

A joint crew from the 49th Test Evaluation Squadron at Barksdale Air Force Base and the 419th Flight Test Squadron at Edwards flew the aircraft on December 8. Testing will continue through 2026 before the Air Force makes a final production decision.

A New Radar for a 65-Year-Old Bomber

The B-52 received a brand-new Active Electronically Scanned Array (AESA) radar, known as the AN/APQ-188, developed by Raytheon Technologies and integrated by Boeing. This radar replaces the old AN/APQ-166 mechanical radar that has been in service for decades.

The new AESA radar is far more advanced. It can scan faster, track many targets at once, and produce clearer images in all weather conditions. It has no moving parts, which means better reliability and easier maintenance. The radar also brings targeting and navigation abilities similar to the systems used on modern fighters like the F-15 and F/A-18.

Compared to the old radar, the AESA system is several times more powerful. It provides longer-range detection, sharper resolution, faster reaction time, and much greater resistance to jamming. It also gives the B-52 the ability to find and track targets in difficult environments where the older radar struggled.

Air Force Leaders Welcome the Upgrade

Secretary of the Air Force Troy Meink said the successful ferry flight is “an important moment in our efforts to modernize the bomber force.” He added that the new radar will keep the B-52 effective well into the future, as it continues to operate alongside new aircraft like the B-21 Raider.

Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Ken Wilsbach called the program essential for readiness and long-term deterrence. He said the upgrade will ensure that future Airmen inherit a modern, capable B-52 fleet.

Part of a Larger Modernization Plan

The radar upgrade is only one part of a much wider modernization program for the B-52. The Air Force plans to keep the bomber in service beyond 2050, and the fleet of 76 aircraft will receive new engines, cockpit improvements, updated communications, better avionics, and new weapons.

These improvements will help the B-52 continue its role as a key long-range strike aircraft for both conventional and nuclear missions.

Engineers and pilots at Edwards Air Force Base will now conduct detailed ground and flight tests of the new radar through 2026. The results will decide how quickly the rest of the fleet will receive the upgrade.

With this milestone, the Air Force says it is committed to keeping the B-52 operational, reliable and ready to support global missions for decades to come.