Image source: topwar.ru
New aircraft engines for American B-52J Stratofortress strategic bombers are entering the final stage of initial testing. This is reported by the press service of Rolls-Royce.
The British company announced the successful completion of initial tests of the F130 engines designed for the B-52J Stratofortress of the US Air Force. Engine testing takes place at the largest rocket engine testing center of the John Stennis Space Center in Mississippi. Next, the US Air Force and Boeing will join the tests.
- said the director of the department of protection programs Candice Bignard.
Ground and flight tests of the new engines are planned to begin in 2024-2026. Serial production of the F130 will be launched at the Rolls-Royce plants in Indianapolis, USA. In total, it is planned to produce at least 600 engines.
The US Air Force finally chose the F130 for its strategic bombers in 2021, although this was discussed back in 2019. The thing is that the TF33 engines on the Stratofortress are too expensive to maintain and have high fuel consumption. As part of the remotorization of the B-52, two options were offered: a complete replacement of the engines or a reduction in their number from 8 to 4. They chose the full one, it is planned that the new engines will extend the operation of the B-52 for another 30 years.
The British offered the US Air Force the F130 engine, or rather its version, developed on the basis of the BR725 powerplant used on Gulfstream G650 business jets. With less fuel consumption, this unit is capable of developing thrust up to 75.6 kilonewtons, which corresponds to the thrust of TF33 B-52 engines.
