Rolls-Royce has successfully completed altitude and operability testing of its F130 engine, a significant step in the re-engineering program for the U.S. Air Force’s B-52J Stratofortress bomber fleet. The tests took place at the U.S. Air Force’s Arnold Engineering Development Complex in Tennessee, where engineers from Rolls-Royce collaborated with Air Force personnel to assess the engine’s performance under challenging mission conditions.
The testing campaign included crucial altitude assessments to validate the engine’s functionality during sustained high-altitude operations. Additionally, operability testing utilized distortion screens to simulate turbulent airflow, while Integrated Drive Generator testing with Boeing confirmed stable electrical power generation during flight missions.
Jennifer Schwerin, Director of Early Life Cycle and Naval Programs at Rolls-Royce Defence, expressed pride in achieving this milestone, stating, “We are proud to deliver another milestone for our F130 engine testing program, on-time and on-budget, for the Air Force.” She emphasized that collaborative efforts with Boeing and the Air Force had further demonstrated the F130’s capabilities to meet specific mission requirements.
The tests provided valuable insights into the engine’s operational envelope. Lt. Col. Timothy Cleaver, U.S. Air Force programme manager for the B-52 Commercial Engine Replacement Program, noted, “Throughout this F130 engine test campaign, we gathered essential data about how this engine operates across the full spectrum of flight conditions.” He highlighted the importance of completing the series of tests at the Arnold Engineering Development Complex, stating it bolstered confidence in the engine and its associated systems as the program transitions to test aircraft modification and eventual flight testing.
This achievement follows the program’s Critical Design Review, concluded in late 2024, which cleared the way for the construction of the first flight-test engines. Earlier phases of testing included sea-level trials in Indianapolis and rapid twin-pod tests conducted at NASA’s Stennis Space Center to confirm the engine’s configuration for the B-52’s twin-engine pod arrangement.
As the program advances, it will enter further system integration and additional dual-pod testing before initiating flight trials. The F130, derived from the BR725 commercial engine family, aims to deliver enhanced reliability, simplified logistics, and reduced maintenance for the enduring B-52 fleet. Once production commences, Rolls-Royce plans to manufacture, assemble, and test the F130 engines at its facility in Indianapolis, reinforcing its commitment to supporting the U.S. military’s operational needs.
