The US Air Force has selected the F130 engine, which is a military designation for the Rolls-Royce BR725 turbofan engine, for the B-52 Stratofortress. The BR725 engine has a thrust of 16,900 pounds (75.2 kg) and a 50-inch (130-cm) fan with 24 sweeping blades. The HP axial compressor features ten stages and five blocks to maximize efficiency.
The F130 engine, designed to replace the outdated Pratt & Whitney TF33 engines, produces 17,000 pounds of thrust and is more fuel-efficient. Rolls-Royce has been working on the F130 engine for years, completing important design evaluations and preparing for final development and manufacturing.
Rolls-Royce has completed first F130 sea-level tests in Indianapolis and Rapid Twin Pod tests at NASA Stennis Space Center.
The F130 engines will be produced, assembled, and tested in Indianapolis, Rolls-Royce’s largest US manufacturing facility. The corporation has spent $1 billion on renovating its Indiana manufacturing, testing, and advanced technology facilities.
The iconic engine manufacturer
Rolls-Royce Holdings plc is a British multinational aerospace and military firm that owns Rolls-Royce, which was founded in 1904.
The company develops and manufactures power systems for the aviation and other industries. As the world’s second-largest aviation engine manufacturer, it has significant operations in marine propulsion and energy.
As of 2020, it had a 12% market share. Rolls-Royce is one of the world’s four largest commercial airplane engine manufacturers. The corporation is listed on the London Stock Exchange, with a market valuation of £4.656 billion.
Rolls-Royce North America is preparing to support the B-52 Re-Engineering Program with F130 engines built in the United States. These engines, which currently power the C-37 and E-11 BACN aircraft, have demonstrated exceptional dependability and efficiency in global service.
Rolls-Royce North America supplies equipment and services to major US customers such as the Department of Defense, Boeing, Lockheed Martin, and Northrop Grumman.
Testing the F130 engines.
Rolls-Royce stated on March 1, 2023 that the F130 engines for the US Air Force B-52 fleet would be tested at NASA Stennis Space Center, replacing Pratt & Whitney TF33-P-3/103 turbofan engines as part of the B-52 modernization program. The Air Force conducted the first test of F130 engines in the B-52’s dual-pod configuration.
“This will result in increased fuel efficiency, reduced air refueling requirements, and significantly lower maintenance costs for the B-52 fleet,” said Candice Bineyard, Rolls-Royce Director of Programs – Defense.
Rolls-Royce completed the initial rounds of F130 sea-level tests and Rapid Twin Pod Tests in December 2024. The Rapid Twin Pod Tests supported Rolls-Royce’s analytical forecasts, lowering the risk of integrating the F130 engine into the B-52J while satisfying test objectives.
The testing included the engine’s initial software release in Test Cell 114, which has been renewed to accommodate development testing and production approval. The F130, a robust engine from the Rolls-Royce BR family, has over 30 million hours of operation and a high reliability rate, making it an attractive option for the B-52 aircraft.
Stratofortress Strategic Bomber
The Boeing B-52 Stratofortress is a strategic bomber designed and manufactured by Boeing. It has been in operation for about 50 years by the United States Air Force and NASA. It can transport up to 70,000 pounds of armaments and has a combat range of approximately 8,800 miles without aerial refueling.
Despite advancements in bombers such as the Convair B-58 Hustler and stealthy Northrop Grumman B-2 Spirit, the strategic bomber remains in service.
Despite multiple wars, the B-52 has only dropped conventional weapons during combat. The B-52 Stratofortress, which replaced the Convair B-36 Peacemaker, was designed to carry nuclear weapons for Cold War deterrence missions.
As of 2024, 76 aircraft are in the US inventory, with the B-52 in service for 60 years, regularly improved, and scheduled to continue until the 2050s.
B-52 Upgrade
The B-52 is expected to get improvements to enhance its sensors and displays, including the deployment of the APG-79B4 Active electronically scanned array radar. This radar will simplify the nose and remove the blisters that house the forward-looking infrared/electro-optical viewing equipment.
The United States Air Force created a Combat Network Communications Technology CONECT upgrading program for its B-52 bombers. Upgrades involve both software and hardware, such as new computer servers, modems, radios, data lines, receivers, and digital workstations for the crew.
In July 2013, the AN/ARC-210 Warrior beyond-line-of-sight software programmable radio, which can transfer voice, data, and information between B-52s and ground command and control centers, received a significant update. This enables machine-to-machine data transfer, which is advantageous for long-duration missions.
Boeing has unveiled additional possibilities for the B-52J, such as upgraded communication systems, pylons, cockpit displays, and the elimination of one crew station. The B-52J, an improved version of the B-52H, uses Rolls-Royce F130 engines.
| Feature | Value |
|---|---|
| Maximum Takeoff Weight | 488,000 lbs (219,600 kg) |
| Fuel Capacity | 312,197 lbs (141,610 kg) |
| Payload | 70,000 lbs (31,500 kg) |
| Speed | Mach 0.84 (650 MPH, 1046 km/h) |
| Range | 7,652 NM (8,800 mi, 14,162 km) |
| Ceiling | 50,000 feet (15,151 m) |
| Armament | 70,000 lb (31,500 kg) |
Upgrade the eight engines.
Boeing explored modifying the B-52G/H aircraft with engines and a new wing for the US Air Force. In 1996, Rolls-Royce and Boeing suggested fitting each B-52 with four leased Rolls-Royce RB211 engines to increase range and reduce fuel usage.
However, a 1997 USAF review discovered that Boeing’s predicted $4.7 billion savings would not be realized, and reengineering would cost $1.3 billion more than keeping the existing engines due to large upfront procurement and retooling costs.
A 2003 Defense Science Board report questioned the Air Force’s 1997 rejection. The DSB encouraged the Air Force to re-engine the aircraft, citing cost savings, lower greenhouse gas emissions, and enhanced range and endurance. In April 2020, the US Air Force requested offers for 608 commercial engines, including spares and support equipment.
The Commercial Engine Reengining Program (CERP) involved General Electric, Pratt & Whitney, and Rolls-Royce. The Rolls-Royce F130 was chosen as the winner, and the USAF intends to buy 650 engines, including immediate replacements and spares, for $2.6 billion in May 2021.
The F130 re-engine program currently uses eight engines on the B-52, as reducing to four engines would necessitate extensive changes to the aircraft’s systems and control surfaces, including the rudder.
Rolls-Royce aims to deliver around 600 F130s for the eight-engine B-52 under CERP, extending its lifespan by 30 years, according to
Rolls-Royce is providing training courses for US Air Force and Boeing professionals involved in the operation and maintenance of the F130 engine.
The course provides an introduction of the engine’s architecture, operation, and system functions, as well as how to identify and locate line replaceable units (LRU).
It also addresses routine maintenance, inspections, safety warnings, and safeguards. The course seeks to help students define the engine’s layout, describe LRUs, and identify engine-related safety concerns.