Rolls-Royce holds F130 Engine Critical Design Review for the U.S. Air Force B-52J Bomber

Rolls-Royce has completed the F130 engine's Critical Design Review (CDR), allowing the transition to the final stages of development, including testing and production, for the upgraded B-52J bomber.

The successful CDR clears the way for altitude testing to begin in February 2025 at the U.S. Air Force's Arnold Engineering Development Complex, advancing Rolls-Royce's efforts to deliver the F130 engine for the B-52J fleet.

After more than two years of collaboration between Rolls-Royce, the U.S. Air Force, and Boeing, the F130 engine passed its CDR, marking a key step toward final production and testing.

Altitude testing is scheduled to begin in February 2025 at the Arnold Engineering Development Complex in Tennessee, where the engine's performance will be evaluated in operational conditions.

Candice Bineyard, Director of Early Life Cycle & Naval Programs – Defense, said, "The F130 engine's Critical Design Review (CDR) milestone for the B-52J marks an important achievement. We thank the U.S. Air Force and Boeing for their ongoing partnership and look forward to continued collaboration as we move toward production."

Rolls-Royce has completed several key engine tests, including sea-level tests at its Indianapolis facility, supported by a $1 billion investment in modernization. The company also successfully conducted Rapid Twin Pod Tests at NASA's Stennis Space Center, validating the F130's integration with the B-52J.

The F130 engines will be produced, assembled, and tested at Rolls-Royce's Indianapolis facility, enhancing the U.S. Air Force's B-52J capabilities for years to come.