Rolls-Royce wins $2.6bn contract to power USAF B-52 bombers
27th Sep 2021 | In News | By Michael Tyrrell
Rolls-Royce has been selected to power the B-52H Stratofortress as the bomber aircraft prepares for another 30 years in service.
The $2,604,329,361 contract award to Rolls-Royce means the company will integrate its F130 engine to the US Air Force aircraft.
The engine will replace the TF33-PW-103, which has powered the B-52 since the 1960s. The B-52 OEM, Boeing, is responsible for integrating the engines onto the aircraft.
USAF plans to finalise integration activities and deliver the first lot of B-52H modified aircraft by the end of 2028.
The F130 and its commercial family of engines have accumulated more than 27 million engine flight hours. A variant of the Rolls-Royce engine selected to power the B-52 is already in service with USAF around the world, powering both the C-37 and E-11 BACN aircraft.
Tom Bell, chairman and CEO of Rolls-Royce North America, and president of defence, said: “We are proud to join a truly iconic U.S. Air Force program and provide world-class, American-made engines that will power its missions for the next 30 years. The F130 is a proven, efficient, modern engine that is the perfect fit for the B-52.”
The F130 offers high mission readiness and low maintenance demands. Once installed, the F130 can stay on wing for the entire planned B-52 lifetime. In addition, the F130 engine will provide greater fuel efficiency, increased range, and reduced tanker aircraft requirements. As importantly, the engine is ready for integration using Rolls-Royce state-of-the-art digital engineering tools.
Rolls-Royce will build and test the F130 engines at its Indianapolis, Indiana, facility following the recent completion of a $600 million investment to revitalise the advanced manufacturing campus.
The B-52 win creates demand for 650 engines to be produced at the site and will bring 150 new high-tech, high-skilled jobs for the state of Indiana.
Craig McVay, SVP strategic campaigns, Rolls-Royce Defense added: “We’ve been planning and preparing for this outcome and are ready to hit the ground running to prove that we are the best choice for the Air Force and the B-52. Our employees stand prepared to deliver once again for the men and women who protect our freedoms every day.”
Consider a free digital subscription
If you find this article informative, consider subscribing digitally to Aerospace Manufacturing for free. Keep up to date with the latest industry news in your inbox as well as being the first to receive our magazine in digital form.
