Rolls-Royce Begins F130 Engine Tests – Breaking News

Rolls-Royce has begun testing the F130 engine selected by the United States Air Force (USAF) to replace the outdated power units of the B-52 bombers.

The F130 was selected as the replacement under the B-52 modernization program in 2021 after a competitive selection process. More than 600 F130 engines are expected to be delivered once the engines are ready and certified.

The trial phase has begun

Rolls-Royce aircraft engines worldwide include the TRENT series and the Rolls-Royce RB211, known for powering the Boeing 747 and 757 aircraft.

However, the United States Air Force (USAF) chose Rolls-Royce F130 engines to replace the B-52 bomber fleet.

The entire fleet of the Air Force will undergo modernization.

The testing phase of the F130 engines has begun and is being conducted at the company’s test facility at NASA’s Stennis Space Center in Mississippi.

Unlike the legacy and existing engines on the B-52 aircraft, the F130 will be tested in a two-bay configuration, leaving a total of eight engines in four bays.

The tests carried out will confirm the efficiency of the operation of the digital control systems of the engine, as well as take into account the aerodynamic flow of the wind.

Current results are positive, with additional trial data to be analyzed in the coming months.

Rolls-Royce and the US Air Force work closely with Boeing during this program and the testing phase.

The US Air Force and Boeing will lead the upgrade itself, as well as the overall integration of engines for the B-52.

Director of Defense Candice Bineyard said in a statement:

“We are pleased to begin this important test program for the US Air Force B-52 fleet, the first step in years of successful engine operation.”

“Rolls-Royce continues to work very closely with the Air Force and Boeing to ensure that the testing and integration process of the engine continues smoothly.”

It will result in higher fuel efficiency, less air refueling requirements and lower maintenance costs for the B-52 fleet. We look forward to sharing test results with the Air Force and Boeing as the test program at NASA’s Stennis Space Center continues. say.