Rolls-Royce has announced the commencement of testing for the F130 engine in Indianapolis, marking a significant step towards its delivery for the re-engining of the United States Air Force (USAF) B-52J Stratofortress strategic bombers. In the first engine to test (FETT) sea-level tests, the initial version of the F130 software will be run.
Additionally, Rolls-Royce has successfully concluded its rapid Twin Pod tests this week. The tests at the NASA Stennis facility marked the first time the F130 engines were tested in the twin-engine pod configuration used on B-52 aircraft. The tests yielded critical performance data, validating Rolls-Royce’s analytical predictions, including crosswind performance, and further reducing the risk of integrating the F130 engine into the B-52J.
The tests conducted at the NASA center played a crucial role in meeting the initial test objectives and delivering on the exact schedule defined by the USAF. This test data informs the production configuration of the F130 engine’s Critical Design Review (CDR), scheduled for autumn 2024.
“The F130 engine has demonstrated incredible dispatch reliability, which will translate to lower lifecycle costs for the B-52, as well as improved fuel efficiency. As we kick off testing in Test Cell 114, we want to thank our partners at Boeing and the Air Force as we move forward in the program together”, said Candice Bineyard, Director, Early Lifecycle and Naval Programs – Defense.
The F130 engines will extend the life of the B-52 aircraft by 30 years. The engines are so durable that they are expected to remain on the wing for the remainder of the aircraft’s service life. The F130 is derived from Rolls-Royce’s BR family of commercial engines, with over 30 million hours of operation and a high reliability rate. It is a proven and reliable engine that has been in production for 12 years, with over 1,000 engines currently flying.
