Rolls-Royce Passes Critical Design Review for F130 Engine, Approaches B-52J Integration

Rolls-Royce successfully completed a critical design review (CDR) for the F130 engine, with its engine testing program scheduled to begin altitude testing in February 2025 at the U.S. Air Force’s Arnold Engineering Development Complex in Tullahoma, TN.

“We’re proud to have delivered the F130 CDR milestone on-time for the B-52J, and grateful for our continued partnership with the U.S. Air Force and Boeing,” said Candice Bineyard, Director, Early Life Cycle & Naval Programs – Defense. “Throughout the detailed design phase, our teams have executed a rigorous process in close collaboration with our partners. We’re excited to start the production work to deliver this engine for the B-52J.”

Passing the CDR opens the pathway for culminating development, test, and production work to deliver an upgraded B-52J Stratofortress to the U.S. Air Force. This milestone follows more than two years of detailed design work and cooperation between teams at Rolls-Royce, the Air Force, and Boeing.

F130 engine testing; image credit: Rolls-Royce

In early August 2024, Rolls-Royce began testing the F130 engine in a dual-pod configuration Testing at NASA Stennis helped Rolls-Royce meet initial testing goals and engine-delivery pace set by the Air Force. Test data informed the production configuration for the F130 engine’s CDR.

The tests produced performance data, validating Rolls-Royce’s predictions on crosswind conditions and de-risking F130 integration on the B-52J. The engines will extend B-52 aircraft life by 30 years, as their durability enables it to remain on wing for the remainder of aircraft life. Sea-level testing, conducted in the refurbished Test Cell 114, will run the F130’s initial software release. Rolls-Royce also successfully performed rapid twin pod tests.

Test Cell 114 is a new facility that supports development testing and production acceptance. Rolls-Royce refurbished the facility as part of a $1 billion investment to modernize Indianapolis facilities, delivering advanced manufacturing to the Air Force and additional customers. F130 engines will be manufactured, assembled, and tested in Indianapolis.

Rolls-Royce News

In September, Rolls-Royce Power Systems and Lürssen Yacht Refit & Services signed a framework agreement to regulate co-operation in mtu propulsion system overhauls and improve services for yacht customers. Currently, technicians and specialists from both companies overhaul the entire mtu propulsion system—from engine to the NautIQ ship automation system. This joint package prioritizes a speedy refit process to return the ship to its owner.

The framework agreement reorganizes the cooperation, accelerates processes, simplifies procedures, and defines common standards for overhaul work. It will reduce time spent on engine and propulsion system overhaul work, particularly for mtu Series 4000 engines. The contract also ensures faster, more flexible deployment of Rolls-Royce specialists at Lürssen’s shipyard and increased spare part availability. Lürssen technicians will be trained to work on mtu engines in alignment with Rolls-Royce standards.

And in late October, Rolls-Royce announced that it is developing new mtu energy and automation solutions for current and future submarine models, including:

• an upgraded, higher-power submarine charging unit; and
• NautIQ automation systems for subsea ship control and monitoring.

Rolls-Royce’s new concept involves an on-board power generator driven by the planned 20-cylinder version of the mtu Series 4000 submarine engine. The new model will have a higher power output, enabling faster battery-charge times and reducing the submarine’s surface exposure. Also, the compact design minimizes footprint in the hull by eliminating the need for an extra genset.