Overview
- The Government Accountability Office found that beginning production of the Commercial Engine Replacement Program before completing developmental flight testing creates significant cost, schedule, and performance risks.
- The GAO reported CERP costs have risen about 38% since 2018 and that developmental flight testing is now expected to start in early fiscal 2029 with initial operational capability pushed into 2033.
- Despite the GAO recommendation to delay production until program offices analyze recent cost growth and schedule slips, Air Force officials plan to begin both engine production and developmental testing in late 2028 to address maintenance shortfalls in the existing engines.
- The watchdog flagged that 10 of 13 B-52 modernization efforts face cost, schedule, or performance problems and that engines and radar account for most of the roughly $21 billion modernization bill.
- If production begins before testing is done, the Air Force could face higher contract costs, longer delays in fielding upgrades, and added strain on depots and squadron readiness as technicians work around legacy-engine maintenance problems while new components are integrated.