B-52 modernization to be spearheaded by L3Harris for U.S. Air Force
NewsJune 07, 2024
MELBOURNE, Florida. L3Harris Technologies won a $34 million contract from the U.S. Air Force to modernize the B-52 Stratofortress bomber, focusing on integrating key roles within the crew, such as merging the functions of an electronic warfare officer and a navigator into a single position, the company announced in a statement.
This initiative, falling under the Global Strike Command's B-52 Quad Crew Program, is part of a broader effort to streamline operations and enhance the strategic bomber's functionality for its service life projected through 2050, the company says. The B-52H, which currently requires a five-person crew comprising two pilots, two navigators, and an electronic warfare officer, will undergo significant cockpit modifications.
Planned changes include relocating control and display unit panels to the navigator's station, in coordination with the Air Force-led Crew Station Working Group, the statement reads. This team will conduct various analyses, such as assessing the aircraft's weight and balance, structural and electrical load, and thermal cooling needs, to ensure the airframe accommodates the upgrades effectively.
