B-52 Modernization Faces Delays, Cost Increases, Watchdog Says

US Push for 100 Years of B-52s Sees Delays, Cost Runup, GAO Says

GAO Warns B-52 Modernization Is Falling Behind | Air & Space Forces Magazine

The Air Force’s plan to start fitting the B-52 Stratofortress with new engines before completing critical flight tests risks cost overruns and schedule delays, government auditors warn in a new report. The Commercial Engine Replacement Program is now years behind schedule, the Government Accountability Office said in report released July 31. Developmental flight testing is not expected to start until early in fiscal 2029—four years later than o…

Key B-52 upgrades face cost, schedule risks: GAO

A new audit from the Government Accountability Office found concerns with the Air Force’s modernization of the B-52 Stratofortress, which is planned to fly through the middle of the century.

B-52 modernization faces delays, cost increases, watchdog says

Most of the U.S. Air Force’s efforts to modernize its B-52s are experiencing significant challenges, a government watchdog said in a Friday report.As the service projects to spend $21 billion in modernizations for 76 active long-range strategic bombers, the Government Accountability Office argues that advancing such efforts, such as new engines, with “little to no” developmental flight testing will increase the risk that the system will not func…

Drive to keep B-52 flying for 100 years stalls on engine and radar woes

A $21-billion Air Force effort managed by Boeing Co. to upgrade the engines, radar and communications of the iconic B-52 bomber is seeing cost growth and delays during early development, according to a congressionally mandated audit.

GAO report on the B-52 bomber

Friday, July 31, 2026The July 31, 2026 Government Accountability Office report finds the Air Force needs to "improve major modernization and sustainment efforts." Featured: Related Documents Tags: B-52GAO