The B-52 Stratofortress is a long-range, subsonic, jet-powered strategic bomber that has been in service with the United States Air Force (USAF) since the 1950s. Despite its age, the B-52 remains a critical component of the USAF’s bomber fleet, and it is expected to remain in service until at least 2050. To ensure that the B-52 remains effective in modern combat environments, the USAF has launched a radar modernization program for the aircraft.
The B-52’s current radar system is the AN/APQ-166, which was first introduced in the 1980s. While the AN/APQ-166 has served the B-52 well, it is now outdated and lacks the capabilities required for modern combat environments. The new radar system that will be installed as part of the modernization program is the AN/APG-82(V)1, which is an active electronically scanned array (AESA) radar.
AESA radars are a significant improvement over traditional mechanically scanned radars like the AN/APQ-166. AESA radars use a large number of small transmit/receive modules to create a beam that can be electronically steered in any direction. This allows AESA radars to scan a much larger area than mechanically scanned radars, and they can also detect and track targets with much greater accuracy.
The AN/APG-82(V)1 AESA radar that will be installed on the B-52 is based on the radar used on the F-15E Strike Eagle fighter jet. The AN/APG-82(V)1 has a range of over 200 nautical miles and can track up to 30 targets simultaneously. It also has a ground moving target indicator (GMTI) mode, which allows it to detect and track moving ground targets.
The installation of the AN/APG-82(V)1 radar on the B-52 will provide several benefits. First and foremost, it will improve the aircraft’s ability to detect and track targets, which is critical in modern combat environments. The AN/APG-82(V)1’s GMTI mode will also allow the B-52 to perform ground surveillance missions, which is a capability that the aircraft currently lacks.
The installation of the AN/APG-82(V)1 radar will also improve the B-52’s survivability. The radar’s AESA technology allows it to operate in a jamming environment, which means that it can continue to detect and track targets even if the enemy is attempting to jam its signals. This is a significant improvement over the AN/APQ-166, which is vulnerable to jamming.
The B-52’s radar modernization program is part of a larger effort by the USAF to modernize its bomber fleet. The USAF is also planning to replace the B-52’s engines and upgrade its avionics systems. These upgrades will ensure that the B-52 remains a viable platform for decades to come.
In conclusion, the B-52’s radar modernization program is an important step in ensuring that the aircraft remains effective in modern combat environments. The installation of the AN/APG-82(V)1 AESA radar will provide significant improvements in target detection and tracking, ground surveillance, and survivability. The USAF’s efforts to modernize its bomber fleet will ensure that the B-52 remains a critical component of the USAF’s strategic capabilities for many years to come.
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- Source: Plato Data Intelligence.