Upgrades to B-52H could reduce crew size from five to four

A new active electronically scanned array (AESA) radar from Raytheon that will be installed on the B-52H bomber might allow the U.S. Air Force to reduce the number of people operating the bomber from five to four.


U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Eugene Oliver


Maj. Gen. Andrew Gebara, director of strategic plans, programs, and requirements for Air Force Global Strike Command, said the decision in not “imminent.”

Replacing the AN/APQ-166 radar will also lead to a new radome. And the new one might forgo the AN/ASQ-151 Electro-Optical Viewing System (EVS), which consisted of a low light level television (LLLTV) and a forward looking infrared (FLIR) system mounted in blisters under the nose. Its capability is currently surpass by Litening and Sniper pods carried on the bomber.

For more information, hit the Source below

Source