L3Harris to upgrade USAF’s B-52H bomber cockpits
The B-52H is currently in service with the US Air Force Global Strike Command. (Photo: USAF)
The Boeing B-52H is the final model of the Stratofortress heavy bomber. More than 100 were built with 58 remaining in service plus 18 in reserve.
L3Harris has been awarded a US$34 million deal to undertake improvements to the cockpits of USAF B-52H Stratofortress heavy bomber aircraft under a contract from the service.
The award is part of Air Force’s Global Strike Command B-52 Quad Crew Program to consolidate the functions of the EW officer and navigator into one position. Combining the two crew positions will include moving the control and display unit panels to the navigator station.
The B-52H is currently operated by a five-person crew that includes two pilots, two navigators and an EW officer and the changes will see this reduced to four.
Related Articles
B-52 training modernisation reaches new milestone
Boeing kicks off US Air Force B-52 bomber radar upgrade
The joint effort with the customer-led Crew Station Working Group will include a series of analysis – such as aircraft weight and balance, structural and electrical load analysis and thermal cooling – to identify any impact on the B-52 airframe and inform the modification kit design.
L3Harris is not unfamiliar with the aircraft and in 2021 won a $39.7 million contract to provide repair services to the USAF for the AN/ALQ-172 radar warning receiver.
The B-52 fleet is undergoing a substantial support programme to keep it flying beyond 2040, and possibly even post-2050. Work includes Pratt & Whitney supporting the aircraft’s TF33 engines to the end of the decade under a $870 million deal and Boeing undertaking the Radar Modernization Program.
L3Harris will be exhibiting at Eurosatory 2024 in Paris on 17–21 June.
Related Equipment in Defence Insight
More from Air Warfare
-
![Proteus: forging the future of autonomous rotorcraft]()
Proteus: forging the future of autonomous rotorcraft
As the home of British helicopters, Leonardo has worked with the UK Ministry of Defence for over a decade to advance technologies underpinning uncrewed rotorcraft. Today, in partnership with DE&S Future Capabilities Innovation and the Royal Navy, Leonardo is spearheading the next step in that journey: from remotely piloted technologies to fully autonomous systems.
-
![DSEI 2025: ‘Future force’ a focus but questions remain on core UK air programmes]()
DSEI 2025: ‘Future force’ a focus but questions remain on core UK air programmes
Focused on shaping the armed forces for the fight ahead, DSEI will hone in on new technology and small and medium enterprises to help lead the sector forward.
-
![India fast-tracks helicopter procurement with dual RFIs for 276 platforms]()
India fast-tracks helicopter procurement with dual RFIs for 276 platforms
India has issued urgent RFIs for more than 270 reconnaissance, surveillance and utility helicopters across its services, signalling a systemic overhaul of rotary-wing capabilities with a renewed emphasis on indigenous production and technology transfer.
-
![US combat drone plan rushes forward with first flight and selection in FY2026]()
US combat drone plan rushes forward with first flight and selection in FY2026
The US Department of Defence (DoD) previously selected Anduril Industries and General Atomics to develop production-representative prototypes under the Collaborative Combat Aircraft (CCA) programme. A competitive Increment 1 production decision is expected in FY2026.
