The United States is working to maintain, expand, and upgrade its strategic bomber fleet. Recently, at an event involving the Mitchell Institute for Aerospace Studies, Lieutenant General Andrew J. Gebara, Chief of Staff for Strategic Deterrence and Nuclear Integration, provided updates on the B-52 bomber modernization program and the new B-21 stealth bomber.
Regarding the B-52, he noted that the first radar for the aircraft is soon to be sent to Edwards Air Force Base for flight testing, although no specific date has been given. The plan involves replacing the AN/APQ-166 radar with the AN/APQ-188, according to Air and Space Forces Magazine.
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In May, the B-52 radar modernization program faced significant cost overruns per unit, prompting potential application of the Nunn-McCurdy Act. This requires the Department of Defense to either designate the program as critical for national security and approve its continuation or cancel it.
Earlier in 2025, the U.S. Air Force issued a request for information on modified radars for the B-52 but later confirmed that the AN/APQ-188 would remain the selected system.
As for the B-21 Raider, it was confirmed that the second sixth-generation stealth bomber is expected to enter flight testing soon, with preliminary expectations for completion by the end of this year.
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