The Commercial Engine Replacement Program (CERP) for the B-52H created a juxtaposition of an aircraft on city streets on her last day on the road.
The CERP program is replacing the B-52s current Pratt & Whitney TF33s (JT3D) with Rolls-Royce F130 (BR725) turbofans. While keeping the same engine configuration and thrust, the new engines will give the B-52 a boost in fuel efficiency and a modern engine with a robust supply chain. CERP will also replace the pylons, nacelles, generators, and cockpit avionics.
In a separate program, the Air Force is replacing the B-52s radar with the Raytheon AN/APG-79, which is currently used in the Boeing F/A-18E Super Hornet. It will be mounted to look at the ground to better identify and prosecute targets. While not mentioned specifically, mockups show the B-52 also receiving the satcom equipment presently seen on the E-4B and E-6B and mounted on the aft, dorsal side of the fuselage.
After all of the upgrades are complete, the aircraft will be designated the B-52J.
On her final day of movement (January 22, 2022), B-52H 61-0009 "Damage Inc II" made her way from Purcell, OK, through Noble, Norman, and Oklahoma City, before ending up at the new high bay at Boeing's offices just South of Tinker AFB, OK. I was able to see her on Saturday, October 14, 2023, where she looks mostly like herself on this day, with the left wing and her gear reattached.
Her right wing and stabs were sent separate places for study. The fuselage and left wing will be used by Boeing to test fit the new parts before they go on the active fleet. Boeing had 3D printed examples on display where the company is digital prototyping brackets and fittings, before the parts are created out of the robust materials needed for flight. Modern solutions for modern challenges.
As for the aliens, I heard they were picked up as they stopped for the night in Roswell, NM and rode the rest of the way in the flight deck. They added a little brevity to the very arduous 21-day trip from Pima, AZ to Oklahoma City, OK. I heard some higher ups were not too thrilled by our little green friends, but I think they add something extra.
Some of our work on this story was featured in Aviation News last year, as well as KOCO 5 News in Oklahoma City. Thank you to Luke from Texomaspotter for collaborating on this two-day adventure. He drove the last day, while I performed the navigation to keep us ahead of the convoy. I have some GoPro video that I will put together with both days of movements.
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