BARKSDALE AIR FORCE BASE, La. — As the B-52H Stratofortress tops more than six decades in service, it’s grown increasingly temperamental — and for the U.S. Air Force, a challenge to keep in the air.

The first B-52 is now carrying out testing with the APQ-188 AESA systems as part of the B-52 Radar Modernization Program.

Key Points and Summary - Forget low-altitude carpet bombing—the B-52 bomber's future is as a standoff “missile truck” that slings precision weapons from outside S-400/S-500 envelopes. This might allow ...