A B-52H bomber crashed at Edwards Air Force Base, killing all eight crew members on board. The aircraft was on a test sortie for the Radar Modernization Program, which aims to integrate a new active electronically-scanned array radar onto the B-52 fleet.
The crash will have significant implications for the program, which has already faced delays and cost overruns. The Radar Modernization Program is a critical upgrade for the B-52, which will also receive new engines, improved communication suites, and other modifications.
The Air Force has not yet determined the cause of the crash, but it is expected to have a major impact on the B-52 modernization program. The loss of the aircraft will likely lead to a regeneration of a bomber from storage to replace it, in order to meet operational demands.
