USAF weighs up concerns and contenders for B-52H engine replacement
A B-52H Stratofortress sits on the flightline on Minot Air Force Base, North Dakota. (Photo: USAF/Airman 1st Class Jesse Jenny)
Three bidders are vying for a lucrative contract to replace more than 600 engines powering the B-52H but the USAF faces a tricky decision.
Three aero-engine manufacturers and their respective supply chains are awaiting a USAF decision on the Commercial Engine Replacement Program (CERP) for its B-52H Stratofortress fleet of 77 aircraft.
Although this is a small fleet compared with others in the USAF, each aircraft has eight engines so the lucrative re-engining contract will be for at least 616 engines. This will generate work worth up to $2 billion, but the big issue is risk because of the sheer age of the fleet.
The last B-52Hs were built in 1962 and re-engining such an old airframe is hardly straightforward. If the CERP proceeds,
Already have an account? Log in
Want to keep reading this article?
More from Air Warfare
-
![Teal Drones delivers first Black Widows as parent company reports six-month loss]()
Teal Drones delivers first Black Widows as parent company reports six-month loss
In July 2025 Teal Drones was awarded Tranche 2 of the US Army’s Short Range Reconnaissance (SRR) programme for a small uncrewed aerial system (sUAS).
-
![Elbit Systems discloses Iron Beam update and work on laser solution for IAF]()
Elbit Systems discloses Iron Beam update and work on laser solution for IAF
In its Q2 earnings call, the company said it has internal targets set for similar double-digit growth for 2026, as it welcomed a 21% boost in 2025 profits so far compared to 2024.
-
![Poland confirms US$3.8 billion F-16V upgrade]()
Poland confirms US$3.8 billion F-16V upgrade
The Mid-Life Upgrade agreement comes as Poland makes significant increases in its defence spend as its plans to increase it to 5% of GDP by 2026.
-
![How unconventional warfare demands are changing the CUAS and drone development landscape]()
How unconventional warfare demands are changing the CUAS and drone development landscape
The use of drones in unconventional ways is accelerating technological advances and countermeasures as military planners try to stay ahead of the drone revolution in military affairs.
