USAF opens B-52 upgrade to new companies as major programmes fall behind schedule
A B-52 Stratofortress flies above the Midwestern United States in August 2026. (Photo: US Air Force)
The US Air Force is seeking additional contractors to support communications upgrades for the B-52, while multiple Stratofortress modernisation programmes continue to experience delays, cost growth and technical challenges.
The US Air Force (USAF) Materiel Command is seeking companies with expertise, capabilities and experience to join the B-52 Stratofortress bomber upgrade programme, which has experienced cost, schedule and performance issues.
According to a request for information due on 1st September, the service is seeking additional suppliers with technical, management and production qualifications for the follow-on production to the B-52H Crypto Modernisation/Mobile User Objective System (CM/MUOS) initiative.
The initiative aims to enhance the fleet’s communications capabilities for conventional combat operations, as well as training and test activities.
Information gathered through the market research will help shape the acquisition strategy for the
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