On Tuesday, February 24, Rolls-Royce announced that the new F-130 engine, which will power the modernized B-52J bombers of the U.S. Air Force, has successfully completed a new series of altitude tests conducted at the Arnold Engineering Development Complex (AEDC) in Tennessee. According to official statements, these tests demonstrated the engine’s sustained performance during long-duration strategic operations, as well as its reliability under the high-stress conditions typical of real operational environments.
Referring to this milestone, Jennifer Schwerin, Director of Early Life Cycle and Naval Defense Programs, stated: “We are proud to achieve another milestone in our F-130 engine test program, on time and on budget, for the U.S. Air Force. Working closely with our partners at Boeing and the U.S. Air Force, our team has demonstrated the F-130’s ability to meet mission requirements and further strengthened confidence that this engine is the right choice for the B-52J.”
It is worth recalling that the F-130 had already completed a previous series of tests and evaluations after successfully passing its Critical Design Review (CDR) at the end of 2024, which authorized the construction of engines intended for flight testing. In this context, Rolls-Royce conducted tests using the twin-pod configuration planned for integration on the bombers at NASA’s Stennis Space Center. Additionally, the company carried out initial testing of the engine’s new software at its facilities in Indianapolis, gathering crucial data to facilitate the future integration of the system into what remains a cornerstone of U.S. long-range strike capabilities.
As one of its key features, Rolls-Royce has emphasized that the F-130 was specifically designed to reduce maintenance burdens, resulting in lower costs and fewer logistical challenges when deploying the B-52J. In particular, the new twin-pod configuration will allow technicians to replace engines more easily if required, compared to the current design.
Finally, it is important to note that the installation of the new engines is only one component of the broader modernization program for the U.S. Air Force’s B-52J strategic bombers. The aircraft will also incorporate the new AESA APQ-188 radar, a more efficient liquid cooling system, and new 8×20-inch high-definition touch displays associated with the updated avionics suite. Last December, the Air Force received its first aircraft equipped with these systems for testing at Edwards Air Force Base in California.
Images used for illustrative purposes.
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