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B-52CERP re-engineering clears critical design review as F130 swaps start this year

The U.S. Air Force, Boeing and Rolls-Royce have passed the critical design review for the B-52 Commercial Engine Replacement Program (CERP), enabling modifications to two B-52s. The first bomber will enter modification later in 2026 to begin replacing eight Pratt & Whitney TF33s with the Rolls-Royce F130 as Boeing prepares for a fleet-wide conversion.

Discovered 2026-05-04T09:31:48.002518-07:00 | 2026-05-04T09:31:48.002518-07:00

Briefing

What Hype is tracking

  • Clears the design-validation gate for CERP, setting the schedule to begin B-52 engine and subsystem modifications later this year and enabling follow-on work toward B-52J standard.
  • Signals a major, time-phased sustainment decision for the B-52 force—transitioning from eight TF33s to the F130 on the first bomber as part of a planned fleet-wide conversion.
  • Provides programmatic confidence for prime and supply-chain planning across major Boeing and engine-enterprise industrial stakeholders as CERP moves from design into first-unit modification execution.

Reported By

Aviation Today defcrosnews.com news.ssbcrack.com DefenseNews.com AirForceTimes Military Times
Sources Tracked
33
First Seen
2026-05-04T09:31:48.002518-07:00
Latest Update
2026-05-07T08:47:42.359934-07:00
Coverage
Defense

Sources

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