Rolls-Royce Conducts High-Altitude Testing of F130 Engine for B-52 Bombers

Rolls-Royce has completed key high-altitude testing of the F130 engine for US B-52 bombers.

The company reported that the tests took place at the US Army’s Arnold Engineering Development Complex.

High-altitude tests were conducted to demonstrate the engine’s stable performance during long strategic missions at high altitudes.

Turbulent airflows were simulated in real conditions and the engine’s stability under load was confirmed.

In collaboration with Boeing, an integrated drive generator was also tested to ensure stable and reliable power supply.

This stage came after the Rolls-Royce team completed a critical analysis of the project at the end of 2024, paving the way for the creation of the first engines for flight testing.

The F130 is derived from the Rolls-Royce BR family of commercial engines, which have logged over 30 million hours and demonstrate high reliability.

The F130 engines are fully interchangeable in a twin-engine configuration, unlike the current platform, which is divided into left and right engines. This will simplify logistics, increase combat readiness, and facilitate maintenance.

Once series production begins, Rolls-Royce will manufacture, assemble, and test the F130 engines in Indianapolis, the company’s largest manufacturing center in the United States.

In September 2021, Rolls-Royce F130 engines were selected by the US Air Force to replace existing powerplants in the B-52 Stratofortress fleet. More than 600 new engines are expected to be delivered.

The new engines will extend the service life of the B-52 by 30 years and are so durable that they can remain in service until the bomber reaches the end of its service life. The US expects the aircraft to remain in service until the 2050s.

As of 2022, there are about 72 B-52 aircraft in service.