B-52H re-engining costs rise by 9%
B-52H Stratofortress seen from a KC-10 Extender. (Photo: USAF/Louis Briscese)
Equipping the USAF Stratofortress fleet with new commercial engines is proving an expensive undertaking.
The B-52 Commercial Re-Engining Program (CERP) for the USAF will cost more than anticipated, Acting Air Force Secretary John P Roth admitted on 17 June.
Speaking before the Senate Armed Services Committee, Roth said that CERP costs for the 76-strong B-52H Stratofortress fleet have risen by 9% to about $11 billion, although he denied recent media reports of a 50% increase.
Roth attributed the 9% jump to information obtained from virtual prototyping of the system, certain ‘realities of buying from the current industrial base’ plus ‘a reassessment of the requirement’ and costs associated with the complexity of integrating a modern engine into the ageing B-52H, which entered service in the early 1960s.
USAF Global Strike Command told Shephard in April that it ‘is still evaluating proposals from industry for the B-52 Commercial Engine Replacement Program and is continuing to evaluate industry’s offerings’.
CERP contenders include GE with its CF34 and Passport engines, Rolls-Royce with the F130 and Pratt & Whitney (P&W) with the PW800.
The decision on CERP will probably not happen until late in Q3 or Q4 this year.
Related Equipment in Defence Insight
More from Air Warfare
-
![L3 Harris develops Viper Shield EW system and makes strides on DiSCO development]()
L3 Harris develops Viper Shield EW system and makes strides on DiSCO development
The US tech company and defence contractor showcased its Viper Shield EW Suite and provided further details on its DiSCO platform in Washington, DC last month.
-
![Japan approved for $3.6 billion AMRAAM purchase]()
Japan approved for $3.6 billion AMRAAM purchase
The request is for up to 1,200 Raytheon (RTX) AIM-120 (D-3/C-8) Advanced Medium-Range Air-to-Air Missiles (AMRAAMs), along with ancillary equipment and services.
-
![US Air Force to receive extra $1.6 billion for aircraft procurement and modernisation in FY2025]()
US Air Force to receive extra $1.6 billion for aircraft procurement and modernisation in FY2025
The additional fund has been earmarked for fighter jets and transport aircraft efforts.
-
![Sixth African country signs for Super Tucano]()
Sixth African country signs for Super Tucano
The order comes on top of other countries ordering aircraft in 2024, specifically Portugal, Uruguay and Paraguay.
-
![Lessons learned from supplier switching on fast jet fleets]()
Lessons learned from supplier switching on fast jet fleets
How difficult is it for air forces to change aircraft fleets, moving from one defence hemisphere to another?
-
![Italy orders up to 24 Eurofighter Typhoon jets]()
Italy orders up to 24 Eurofighter Typhoon jets
The Tranche 4 deliveries will be expected to continue until 2030.
