Rolls-Royce completes F130 altitude and operability testing

Courtesy Rolls-Royce

Rolls-Royce conducted the testing at the US Air Force Arnold Engineering Development Complex (AEDC) in Tullahoma, Tennessee, where Rolls-Royce engineering teams worked side-by-side with the Air Force to validate performance in demanding mission conditions.

At AEDC, Rolls-Royce conducted altitude tests to demonstrate sustained performance for long-duration, high-altitude strategic missions; operability testing with distortion screens to replicate turbulent, real-world airflow and confirm engine stability under stress; and Integrated Drive Generator (IDG) testing with Boeing to ensure stable and reliable electrical power during all mission scenarios.

Jennifer Schwerin, Director, Early Life Cycle & Naval Programs – Defense, said: "We are proud to deliver another milestone for our F130 engine testing e, on-time and on-budget, for the Air Force. Working closely with our partners at Boeing and the Air Force, our team has demonstrated the F130’s ability to meet mission requirements and further strengthened confidence that this engine is the right choice for the B-52J.”

Lt. Col. Timothy Cleaver, USAF Program Manager, B-52 Commercial Engine Replacement Program said: "Throughout this F130 engine test campaign, we gathered essential data about how this engine operates across the full spectrum of flight conditions.  Completing the series of tests at AEDC’s world-class facility gives us confidence in the engine and associated systems as we proceed into test aircraft modification and flight testing.”

This milestone comes after the Rolls-Royce F130 team completed Critical Design Review (CDR) in late 2024, clearing the way to build the first flight test engines. Additionally, the engine testing programme has completed:

• Rapid Twin Pod Tests at NASA Stennis Space Center where Rolls-Royce tested the F130 engines for the first time in the unique dual-pod configuration of the B-52. These tests played a key role in validating Rolls-Royce’s analytical predictions, further de-risking the integration of the F130 engine onto the B-52J.
• The first phases of F130 sea-level testing in Rolls-Royce’s recently revamped test cell in Indianapolis where the team tested the initial software release for the engine and gathered critical performance data for the programme to progress.

Next, the programme will move into further system integration and dual-pod testing at Stennis, marking another milestone in the propulsion development.

Throughout the testing programme, engineering and design teams have gathered critical performance data to validate modelling and further confirm that the F130 engine is the right fit for the B-52J reengining programme.

Built for a long life and low maintenance, the F130 engine will reduce the sustainment burden. The F130 engines are fully interchangeable in the dual-pod configuration – an upgrade from the current platforms left engine and right engine configuration – which will simplify logistics, improve readiness and make maintenance easier.

With over 30 million flight hours, the F130’s commercial heritage ensures reliability and a strong global supply chain. As part of the BR engine family, the BR725 engine has been in production for 13 years with more than 1,000 engines flying today.

Once production begins, Rolls-Royce will manufacture, assemble and test the F130 engine in Indianapolis, Rolls-Royce’s largest production facility in the US Rolls-Royce has invested more than $1.5 billion in the US over the last decade, including modernising Indianapolis facilities to deliver innovation and advanced manufacturing to the Air Force and other customers with American labour.

Rolls-Royce’s US footprint spans 34 locations across 26 states, employing more than 5,000 people and supporting hundreds of American suppliers. In 2024 alone, Rolls-Royce’s operations contributed $6.2 billion to the US economy.