Military Aircraft Procurement   Aviation Accidents and Incidents   Boeing  

USAF updates B-52 radar upgrade testing plan after June test crash; second B-52H fitted with AN/APQ-188 AESA radar

The USAF says work to complete a replacement B-52H test bomber should finish by end-2026, after the June 15 crash of the first radar-upgrade test aircraft. The second modified Stratofortress is being fitted with the AN/APQ-188 AESA radar and is still awaiting late-2027 availability.

Discovered 2026-07-27T11:06:26.523666-07:00 | 2026-07-27T11:06:26.523666-07:00

Briefing

What Hype is tracking

  • The June 15 crash of a B-52 test bomber carrying an upgraded radar forced the USAF to reconsider its test-bomber schedule and approach, directly affecting the timeline for radar modernization.
  • The replacement plan centers on a second Boeing B-52H outfitted with the AN/APQ-188 AESA radar, with USAF targeting end-2026 completion of replacement-test-bomber work and late-2027 availability.
  • For programs dependent on flight-test timelines, the schedule shift reshapes downstream integration, risk reduction, and procurement planning for the upgraded radar capability.

Reported By

Air Data News Air & Space Forces Mag Aviation Week
Sources Tracked
3
First Seen
2026-07-27T11:06:26.523666-07:00
Latest Update
2026-07-27T12:15:55.378247-07:00
Coverage
Defense

Sources

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