Military Technology 06/2020

The USAF expects to spend $7-8 billion on CERP to keep B-52Hs flying until 2050. Each STRATOFORTRESS needs eight new engines for the ap- proximate 75-aircraft fleet, though it is unclear whether they will all receive upgrades. The two main contenders eyeing CERP are Pratt & Whitney (offering the PW800) and GE Aviation (with its CF34-10 and Passport en- gines). Significant B-52 CERP milestones include engine source selection in Q2/2021 and Preliminary Design Review (PDR) in Q1/2022. Continued from page 31 Scot Oathout, Boeing’s Bombers Program Director, told MilTech his top three modernization activities by value are: the B-52 Commercial Engine Replacement Programme (CERP); B-52 Radar Modernization Programme (RMP); and B-1 and B-52 weapons carriage integration programmes. The next major programme milestone for the B-21 RAIDER will be first flight, currently anticipated for December 2021. (USAF photo via Northrop Grumman) 34 · MT 6/2020 Feature