Rolls-Royce starts testing F130 engines for USAF's B-52s
Image courtesy Rolls-Royce
This milestone test programme is the first time F130 engines have been tested in the dual-pod engine configuration of the B-52 aircraft. Each B-52 aircraft has eight engines in four pods.
The F130 engines for the B-52s will be manufactured in the company’s facilities in Indianapolis in the USA and Rolls-Royce expects over 600 new engine deliveries to be made.
Rolls-Royce is collaborating very closely with the Air Force and Boeing, which is managing the overall engine integration and B-52 aircraft modernisation programme. The new engines will extend the life of the B-52 aircraft for 30 years. F130 engines are so durable they are expected to remain on wing for the remainder of the aircraft type's life.
Candice Bineyard, Director, Programs – Defence, Rolls-Royce, said: “We are excited to begin this milestone testing programme, the first step for what will be decades of successful engine operation for the United States Air Force B-52 fleet.
"Rolls-Royce continues to work very closely with the Air Force and Boeing to ensure the engine testing and integration process run smoothly. This will result in higher fuel efficiency, reduced air refueling requirements, and significantly lower maintenance costs for the B-52 fleet. We look forward to sharing test results with the Air Force and Boeing as the test plan progresses at the NASA Stennis Space Center.”
F130 engines will be manufactured, assembled and tested at Rolls-Royce facilities in Indianapolis, the company’s largest production facility in the US Rolls-Royce has invested $1 Billion in recent years to completely modernise manufacturing and testing facilities in Indiana, as well as for advanced technology.
F130 engines were selected for the B-52 by the Air Force in September 2021 following a competitive selection process. The F130 is derived from the Rolls-Royce BR family of commercial engines, with over 30 million hours of operation and a high reliability rate.
