Rolls-Royce North America has been selected to supply the B-52 bomber propulsion system under the Commercial Engine Replacement Program (CERP). This decision means that the American Rolls-Royce F-130 engine will power the B-52 for the next 30 years.
The Rolls-Royce engine variant selected to power the iconic B-52 is already in use and powers the C-37 as well as the E-11 BACN.
Tom Bell, President and CEO of Rolls-Royce North America, said: “We are proud to be able to join such an iconic US Air Force program and deliver world-class American-made engines that will power its missions for the next 30 years. The F130 is a proven, efficient, modern engine that fits perfectly with the B-52 ”.
The F130 offers high mission readiness and low maintenance. Once installed, it can remain on the wing throughout the planned lifetime of the B-52. In addition, the F130 engine will provide greater fuel economy, greater range and reduced tanker requirements. Importantly, the engine is ready to be integrated using Rolls-Royce’s state-of-the-art digital engineering tools.
Rolls-Royce will build and test the F130 engines at its Indianapolis, Indiana facility, which is now completing a $ 600 million facility revitalization investment in advanced manufacturing and technology. It is currently the most advanced engine factory in the US.
The plant will produce 650 engines. Their production will create 150 new jobs for highly qualified people from the engineering industry.