Modernizing the B-52’s Radar: Big Upgrades for a Legendary Bomber

The Boeing B-52 Stratofortress may have first flown in the 1950s, but it’s far from outdated. One of the most important upgrades now underway is a complete overhaul of its radar and sensor systems—a critical step in keeping this Cold War legend ready for 21st-century combat.

So, what’s changing? When will it be ready? And why does it matter? Let’s break it down in simple terms.

Why the B-52 Needs a New Radar

The original B-52 radar systems were designed to find large targets—like cities or airfields—during nuclear bombing runs at high altitudes. But modern warfare is different. Today’s missions require precision, stealth awareness, and real-time targeting—especially when flying near advanced enemy air defenses.

The old radar, known as the AN/APS-116, was powerful in its time but is now outdated. It can’t support modern weapons, detect small or fast-moving threats, or work well with drones and satellites.

To stay effective, the B-52 needs a smarter, faster, and more reliable radar system—and that’s exactly what the U.S. Air Force is delivering.

The New Radar: AN/APG-79(V)4

The heart of the upgrade is the AN/APG-79(V)4 radar—a modern, active electronically scanned array (AESA) system. This isn’t just a new radar; it’s a quantum leap in technology.

Here’s what makes it special:

• Faster Scanning: AESA radar uses hundreds of tiny transmitters to scan the sky in milliseconds—no moving parts.
• Better Target Detection: It can spot small, low-flying targets like cruise missiles or drones.
• Improved Navigation: It creates detailed ground maps, even in bad weather or at night.
• Stealthy Operation: It can avoid detection by enemy radar warning systems.
• Multi-Tasking: It can track threats, guide weapons, and map terrain—all at the same time.

This same radar family is already used on the F/A-18E/F Super Hornet, proving its reliability in combat.

More Than Just Radar: A Full Sensor Upgrade

The new radar is part of a larger modernization package called the Combat Net Ready (CNR) upgrade, which includes:

• New Communication Systems: Secure links to satellites, drones, and other aircraft.
• Advanced Defensive Systems: Better warning receivers and countermeasures to dodge missiles.
• Digital Networking: The B-52 can now share data in real time with F-35s, F-22s, and command centers.

Together, these upgrades turn the B-52 into a “battlefield node”—not just a bomber, but a key player in a connected, high-tech warfighting network.

When Will the New Radar Be Operational?

The rollout is already underway—and moving faster than expected.

• 2023: The U.S. Air Force completed flight testing of the new radar on a B-52 test aircraft.
• 2024: Initial production and installation began at Tinker Air Force Base in Oklahoma.
• 2025: The first operationally equipped B-52s with the new radar are expected to be assigned to combat units.
• 2027–2030: All 76 B-52J models (the newest version) will be upgraded with the full CNR package, including the AN/APG-79(V)4 radar.

Once complete, every modernized B-52 will have cutting-edge situational awareness, making it far more survivable in contested airspace.

Why This Upgrade Matters

With its new radar, the B-52 can:

• Launch long-range weapons with pinpoint accuracy.
• Detect incoming threats like enemy fighters or missiles earlier.
• Fly safer missions near hostile territory without relying on stealth.
• Work alongside stealth aircraft like the B-21 Raider, sharing targeting data.

In short, the B-52 is no longer just a “high-altitude bomber.” It’s becoming a smart, connected, and highly capable strike platform—perfect for the battlefields of the 2030s and beyond.

Final Thoughts: A 70-Year-Old Bomber with a 21st-Century Brain

It’s amazing to think that an aircraft designed before cell phones or GPS is now getting one of the most advanced radars in the world. But that’s the genius of the B-52: its strong airframe allows it to carry modern tech like a blank canvas.

The AN/APG-79(V)4 radar isn’t just an upgrade—it’s a transformation. And by 2025, it will start giving B-52 crews eyes sharper than ever before.

So while the B-52 may look the same from the outside, inside it’s becoming something new: a high-tech powerhouse ready to serve well into the 2050s.