On September 7, 2023, Rolls-Royce announced that it is close to completing the first phase of testing for its F130 engines, designed for the U.S. Air Force's B-52J Stratofortress nuclear bombers. The company plans to conclude this phase by the end of 2023 and initiate flight tests in 2024. The F130 engines are expected to extend the operational lifespan of the B-52 by 30 years.

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 Boeing B-52H Stratofortress (Picture source: US DoD)

In September 2021, Rolls-Royce's F130 engines were selected by the Air Force to replace the existing powerplants in the B-52 fleet, with over 600 new engine deliveries expected. Testing has been conducted at NASA's Stennis Space Center in Mississippi. Rolls-Royce stated that it had met its initial objectives and gathered data that would be useful for the integration of the F130 engines into the B-52J. A critical evaluation of the project is planned for early 2024.

The engines will be manufactured at the company's facility in Indianapolis, with total production expected to exceed 600 units.

The new engines are expected to extend the lifespan of the B-52 by 30 years. The aircraft, which first took to the skies in the 1950s, celebrated the 70th anniversary of its maiden flight last April. The modernization will allow the B-52 Stratofortress to remain in service until the 2050s.

This engine is already in service with the U.S. Air Force, powering the C-37 and E-11 BACN aircraft.

Flight tests of the B-52 Stratofortress equipped with the new F130 engines are scheduled to begin in 2024 and are expected to continue until 2026. The U.S. Air Force is expected to receive more than 600 new F130 engines as part of this modernization effort.

The current version of the aircraft is known as the B-52H. After its modernization, the bomber will receive a new designation - B-52J.

Rolls-Royce's F130 engines were selected by the Air Force to replace the existing powerplants in the B-52H fleet (Picture source: Rolls-Royce)