ROLLS-ROYCE

Rolls-Royce completes altitude tests of new B-52J bomber engine

Rolls-Royce has completed altitude and operability testing of its F130 engine for the U.S. Air Force's (USAF) B-52J Bomber Commercial Engine Replacement Program (CERP), part of the modernization process for the fleet that has been in operation for several decades.

The tests were conducted at the Arnold Engineering Development Complex (AEDC) in Tullahoma, Tennessee, where Rolls-Royce and Air Force teams evaluated the engine's performance under high-altitude and intermittent airflow conditions.

The campaign included simulated altitude operation for long-duration missions, operability testing using distortion screens to simulate turbulent airflow, and Integrated Drive Generator (IDG) testing in coordination with Boeing to verify stable electrical power generation.

The milestone follows the program's Critical Design Review (CDR), completed in late 2024, which authorized production of the first engines for flight testing. Previous testing phases included sea-level runs at Rolls-Royce's Indianapolis test facility and dual-nacelle configuration testing at NASA's Stennis Space Center. The B-52J will retain its distinctive nacelle layout with two F130 engines mounted on each of the four pylons.

The next phase of the program will involve further systems integration and additional dual-capsule testing before installation on test and flight evaluation aircraft.

The F130 is derived from the commercial BR725 engine and will replace the Pratt & Whitney TF33 engines used on the B-52H, which date back to the early 1960s. Rolls-Royce states that the new engine type allows for full interchangeability between the eight positions, simplifying logistics compared to the current left- and right-hand engine configuration. The B-52 re-engine project is part of a broader modernization plan that will see the aircraft redesignated as the B-52J. In addition to the new F130 engines, the bomber is receiving a new active electronically scanned array (AESA) radar and upgraded avionics. The U.S. Air Force plans to keep the B-52 in service until at least the 2050s, where it will operate alongside Northrop Grumman's B-21 Raider stealth bomber.

Production of the F130 engines will take place in Indianapolis. Rolls-Royce has invested over $1.5 billion in its U.S. facilities in the last decade, including improvements to its defense program support division.

by Vivaero