Engines
Rolls-Royce Begins Testing of B-52 Replacement Engine
The engine-maker is expecting to deliver more than 600 F130 turbofans to re-engine the USAF’s entire B-52H fleet.
Rolls-Royce F130
The F130 is being tested in the twin-engine pods in which it will be fitted on the B-52. (Photo: Rolls-Royce)

Rolls-Royce has begun testing of the F130 engine that was selected in September 2021 under the Commercial Engine Replacement Program to replace the aging Pratt & Whitney TF33s that currently power the U.S. Air Force’s fleet of 76 Boeing B-52H strategic bombers. With each aircraft being equipped with eight of the turbofans, the expected powerplant requirement will be at least 608 units, with perhaps as many as 42 spares also to be procured.

The F130 is based on the commercial BR725, a member of Rolls-Royce’s BR700 family that has achieved more than 30 million flight hours powering various ultra-long-range business jets. Other BR700-series engines are already in service with the U.S. Air Force on various Gulfstream and Bombardier Global variants.

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