Extended Timeline and Budget Challenges Mark Critical Upgrades for the B-52 and HACM Program
The Government Accountability Office (GAO) has revealed significant delays in the U.S. Air Force’s key modernization efforts, particularly affecting the B-52 Stratofortress’s radar upgrade and the development of the hypersonic Attack Cruise Missile (HACM).
B-52 Radar Upgrade Delayed Until 2030
The long-anticipated radar modernization for the iconic B-52 bomber is now expected to reach initial operational capability by mid-2030—about three years later than previously planned. The upgrade, managed by Boeing and featuring a radar supplied by RTX, has faced persistent technical challenges in software, parts procurement, and environmental qualification. These issues have caused delays in the two-stage production decision, now pushed to the second quarter of FY27, with initial deployment no longer expected until around 2030.
The GAO report highlights that the program’s progress is hindered by lower-than-expected contractor performance and limited flight testing data, raising concerns about sustaining production readiness. Boeing has confirmed negotiations are ongoing for production contracts, with a potential award expected in 2026, but the overall timeline remains uncertain.
This delay impacts the broader effort to extend the B-52’s operational life into the 2050s, which also includes an engine upgrade and the redesignation of the fleet as B-52J.
HACM Program Faces Schedule Slippages and Cost Overruns
In parallel, the Air Force’s hypersonic Attack Cruise Missile (HACM) program is also behind schedule, with plans for rapid fielding now centered around early 2027—earlier than originally projected but still subject to delays. The program aims to deliver an operational, combat-ready missile within this timeframe, despite flight tests being compressed from seven planned demonstrations to just five, with the first test now scheduled for 2026 instead of FY25.
RTX, the prime contractor, projects costs to significantly exceed initial baselines; however, reducing the number of flight tests may help offset some of these expenses. The service’s focus is shifting from prototyping to fielding a minimum viable product that remains operationally relevant in response to increasing global threats.
Strategic Shifts in Emerging Weapons Technologies
The GAO reports underscore the urgency the Pentagon places on maintaining technological edge amid escalating geopolitical competition. The HACM program is one of two major hypersonic systems, following the revival of the Air-launched Rapid Response Weapon (ARRW), which is transitioning into procurement under the FY26 budget.
The delays and cost increases reflect broader challenges faced by the Pentagon’s modernization efforts, emphasizing the need for better schedule management and cost controls as the U.S. accelerates its development of advanced missile systems and bomber upgrades.
Summary
Overall, these reports reveal a tense reality for U.S. military modernization: critical programs are experiencing delays and budget overruns, potentially impacting the force structure and readiness timeline for the coming decades. The Biden administration and Pentagon officials will need to address these challenges to ensure the technological dominance of U.S. strategic capabilities.
