Rolls-Royce has completed altitude and operability testing of its F130 engine, marking another milestone toward delivering the powerplant for the Boeing B-52J Stratofortress operated by the US Air Force.
The F130 will replace the legacy Pratt & Whitney TF33, which has powered the bomber for more than six decades.
Conducted at the Arnold Engineering Development Complex (AEDC) in Tullahoma, Tennessee, altitude trials confirmed sustained capability for long duration and high-altitude strategic missions. Operability testing used distortion screens to simulate turbulent, real-world airflow and verify engine stability under stress.
The engine also completed Integrated Drive Generator testing with Boeing to ensure stable and reliable electrical power generation across all mission scenarios.
“We are proud to deliver another milestone for our F130 engine testing program, on-time and on-budget, for the Air Force,” Director at Early Life Cycle & Naval Programs – Defense, Jennifer Schwerin, said.
“Working closely with our partners at Boeing and the Air Force, our team has demonstrated the F130’s ability to meet mission requirements and further strengthened confidence that this engine is the right choice for the B-52J.”
Engine Upgrade
The milestone marked the completion of the engine testing program, wherein key performance data has been gathered to validate it against computer models.
Rolls-Royce said the effort will now advance to system integration and dual-pod testing at the NASA Stennis Space Center in Mississippi, representing the next step in propulsion development.
Rolls-Royce completed the engine’s critical design review in late 2024 after more than two years of work.
“Throughout this F130 engine test campaign, we gathered essential data about how this engine operates across the full spectrum of flight conditions,” US Air Force Program Manager at B-52 Commercial Engine Replacement Program, Lt. Col. Timothy Cleaver, said.
“Completing the series of tests at AEDC’s world-class facility gives us confidence in the engine and associated systems as we proceed into test aircraft modification and flight testing.”
More Durable, Reduced Maintenance
Designed for durability and reduced maintenance demands, the F130 is expected to lower long-term sustainment costs.
The engines are fully interchangeable within a dual-pod configuration — replacing the current left- and right-engine setup — streamlining logistics, boosting readiness, and simplifying maintenance.
Once production begins, Rolls-Royce will build and test the F130 at its Indianapolis facility, its largest US site. The company has invested over $1.5 billion in the US in the past decade, including upgrades to its Indianapolis operations.
