- B-52 upgrades are billions over budget and delayed — the GAO says 10 of 13 modernization efforts face cost, schedule or performance problems (engine replacement is about $3B higher and ~15+ months late).
- The Air Force plans to keep the 1950s-era B-52 flying into the 2050s by swapping in new commercial (Rolls‑Royce) engines and modern radars — officials say the changes will effectively make it "a new airplane."
- The GAO warns doing many upgrades at once raises integration risks and recommended pausing the engine production decision to reassess — all while B-52s have continued to fly recent combat missions.
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