폭격기 Re: 근대화 개수한 B-52는 B-52J로 재지정될 것

[위종민]

https://www.airandspaceforces.com/re-engined-b-52-b-52j/ 

엔진과 항전장비 교체를 완료한 B-52H의 형식명칭은 B-52J로 지정됐습니다. 엔진 및 항전장비 교체 사업 기간에 차이가 있어 J/K 두 가지로 나눈단 얘기도 있었는데 결국은 한 명칭만 쓰네요. 

레이더 교체 예산은 8억 4,590만 달러이며 엔진교체 예산은 25억 6,600만 달러입니다. 2020년대 말에는 작전이 가능할 것으로 기대중이라고 하네요. 

현재 B-52H에 달린 APQ-166 (기사엔 APG-166이라고 오타)은 공급업체 소멸 및 부품 문제로 2030년대 뒤로는 지원이 불가능하다고 합니다. 

Once it gets new engines, the B-52H will become the B-52J, Air Force budget request documents say. The designation also reflects significant new radar, communications and weapons capabilities.

It’s Official: The Re-Engined B-52 Will be the B-52J

April 5, 2023 | By John A. Tirpak

Once they receive their new Rolls Royce F130 engines, B-52Hs will become B-52Js, according to the Air Force’s fiscal 2024 budget documents.

The designation resolves a question that had been debated for several years, as the B-52 undergoes some of the most significant improvements in the H model’s 61-year service life.

“Any B-52H aircraft modified with the new commercial engines and associated subsystems are designated as B-52J,” the Air Force said in justification documents for its 2024 budget request.

The service had been considering various designations for the improved Stratofortress, because in addition to new engines, the B-52 will also be receiving a new radar, as well as new communications and navigation equipment and weapons, among other improvements intended to keep it credible and capable through the 2050s.

Given the number of major changes, Global Strike Command had considered using interim designations—“J” model aircraft would have then become B-52Ks.

One of the improved weapons the B-52 was supposed to get was the hypersonic AGM-183 Air-Launched Rapid Response Weapon (ARRW), but in the 2024 budget, the Air Force said it’s moving to “close out” the program after a couple more tests and shift its emphasis to the Hypersonic Attack Cruise Missile (HACM).

The B-52 re-engining project name has also evolved from the Commercial Engine Replacement Program (CERP) to CERP RVP, for Rapid Virtual Prototyping, the Air Force said in its budget request.

The re-engining effort was launched as a mid-tier acquisition in order to save time and get capability sooner. The program will become a Major Capability Acquisition at the end of the RVP effort, the Air Force said.

The upgrades will also open the door to other changes, USAF noted.

“As B-52 CERP brings additional capability to the B-52, emerging security/certification requirements (nuclear hardening, cyber security, program protection, etc.) will also need to be addressed. Several concurrent aircraft upgrades during the B-52 CERP may necessitate temporary facilities or facility upgrades/ modifications.”

The Air Force is asking for nearly $3 billion in B-52 procurement across the future years defense plan, starting with a modest $65.82 million in 2024 but ramping up to over $1.1 billion each in 2027 and 2028.

Of the overall amount, the Radar Modernization Program alone claims $845.9 million, peaking in ’27 at $271.95 million. Separately—not included in the procurement account—research, development, test, and eval‎uation associated with the Radar Modernization Program is requested at $371 million, ending in 2026. The RMP procurement funding is to procure 74 radar kits, three training systems kits, and two engineering and manufacturing development kits.

The new radar is a variant of the Raytheon AN/APG-79, an active, electronically-scanned array (AESA) radar used on the Navy’s F/A-18 Super Hornet fighter. It replaces the APG-166, which the Air Force says suffers from severe “vanishing vendor” issues and parts problems that will make the radar “unsupportable” before 2030.

Besides a dramatic improvement in maintainability, the AESA will add significant new capabilities in search, ground mapping, and electronic warfare. The new radar’s physical footprint is also much smaller than the system it replaces, creating growth capacity in the front of the aircraft. The B-52’s nose-mounted electro-optical blisters will be removed and a new radome installed with the new radar.

The re-engining program is funded for $2.56 billion, all in the RDT&E budget, peaking at $650.5 million in 2025. The program seeks to replace the original-equipment Pratt & Whitney TF33 engines with Rolls Royce F130s. The change is expected to eventually pay for itself through 30 percent better fuel efficiency and elimination of engine overhauls, as the F130 will not need an overhaul for the duration of its expected life on the B-52 wing.

“Along with the new engines, CERP will replace associated subsystems, such as engine struts and nacelles, the electrical power generation system, and cockpit displays,” the Air Force said. “The development, production and installation of new engines and related subsystems will replace the legacy equipment on all 76 B-52H aircraft.”

Including monies expended so far, the total cost of the B-52 CERP Middle Tier of Acquisition effort will be $1.32 billion, including RDT&E, the Air Force said.

The Air Force expects B-52Js with both new engines and new radars to be available for operational use before the end of the decade.

Air

Budget

[백선호]

유지비가 B-1B보다 싸다는 것이 B-52H를 살리고 B-52J로 탈바꿈할 기회를 줬네요.

[위종민]

운영유지비는 의외로 B-1B가 약간 싸더라구요. 대신 B-1이 중동-아프간에서 혹사당해 상태가 영 부실하단 소리가 들리던데 B-52는 아직 튼튼한 게 차이인 것 같습니다. ( https://www.forbes.com/sites/niallmccarthy/2020/11/26/the-mammoth-cost-of-operating-americas-combat-aircraft-infographic/?sh=7b995bd7da72 ),

[백선호]

엥 B-1B가 더 싼가요? @.@

[위종민]

가변익이니 뭐니 유지보수 소요가 많을 것 같은데 저도 의외였습니다. 엔진이 많아서 그런건지..

[Minowski(김유철)]

B52H가 수명을 많이 깍아먹는 전술임무에 많이 투입되지 않아서 그렇다고 하는 반론도 있습니다. 사실 B1은 걸프전 이후 JDAM 택시로 15년 동안 혹사되었지만 B52H는 본토에서 놀았다고......... https://blog.naver.com/marcoop41/222945873150