USAF begins flight testing of RTX AN/APQ-188 AESA radar retrofit on B-52H at Edwards AFB

The U.S. Air Force has started flight-testing an AN/APQ-188 AESA radar retrofit on its B-52H fleet after Boeing delivered the first modified bomber from its San Antonio facility to Edwards AFB. The aircraft, fitted with RTX’s APQ-188, will undergo ground and flight trials with the 412th Test Wing.

Discovered 2025-12-10T15:28:35.740095-08:00 | 2025-12-10T15:28:35.740095-08:00

Briefing

What Hype is tracking

  • The delivery and arrival at Edwards AFB mark a Radar Modernization Program milestone: the first B-52 fitted with RTX’s AN/APQ-188 AESA radar is now in dedicated ground and flight testing with the 412th Test Wing.

  • The retrofit directly ties into continuing B-52 operational activity and capability refreshes, following recent long-range deployments and rotations that keep the type operationally relevant: the USAF’s B-52 rotation to Spain and training over the Middle East and Africa and public sightings such as the B-52 photographed carrying a suspected AGM-181 LRSO during early flight tests underscore why radar upgrades are being fielded now.

  • The program sits alongside broader bomber modernization and force-structure debates — including discussions about future bomber ISR and fleet sizing — that shape procurement and sustainment priorities for long-range strike assets: see recent commentary on the B-21’s ISR influence on fleet decisions.

Reported By

AviationPros fly-news.es defensa.com UK Defence Journal DefenseNews.com Military Times
Sources Tracked
45
First Seen
2025-12-10T15:28:35.740095-08:00
Latest Update
2025-12-17T06:51:08.750594-08:00
Coverage
Defense

Sources

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