B-52J’s new F130 engine clears design review, but upgrade delays persist

The Rolls-Royce F130 engine, set to replace the aging Pratt & Whitney TF-33 engines on the B-52H fleet, has successfully passed its critical design review (CDR), Rolls-Royce announced 13 Dec, as reported by Air and Space Forces Magazine. This milestone allows the engine to enter final development and production as planned. However, the broader B-52J upgrade program, managed by Boeing, faces three-year delays, pushing initial operational capability to 2033 instead of the original 2030 target, per GAO.

The F130, derived from Rolls-Royce’s commercial BR725 powerplant, powers the C-37 and E-11 BACN aircraft and is being adapted for the B-52's twin-engine pod configuration. Benefits include improved power, range, and reduced maintenance costs, ensuring the B-52J can operate well into the 2050s.

Testing of the F130 has been extensive, including dual-engine pod assessments at NASA’s Stennis Space Center and sea-level tests in Indianapolis. Altitude testing will begin in February 2025 at Arnold Engineering Development Complex in Tennessee. Rolls will produce over 600 engines at its Indianapolis facility, the company’s largest US site.

Delays in the overall program stem from underestimated funding needs and material sequencing issues. Upgrades include new radars, pylons, internal wiring, and digital systems, further modernizing the venerable bomber.