In September 2021, Rolls-Royce won the bid to provide new engines for 76 B-52H bombers under the US Air Force.
If the U.S. Air Force exercises all options in the contract, the contract will be worth $2.6 billion. Roll-Royce said that the engine model is F130, which is a military derivative of the BR725 business jet engine, and the manufacturing and installation of all engines will be completed on September 23, 2038.
The U.S. Air Force plans to extend the service period of the B-52H to 2050 by replacing the engine. At that time, the B-52H will become the U.S. Air Force’s first "life-saving machine" to serve as the main force for 100 years. The reason for launching this reissue plan is that the US Air Force is eager to fill the gap in the number of nuclear bombers. However, the old TF-33 engine on the B-52H has continuously increased the cost of support, which has become the biggest obstacle to its continued service. one. It is expected that after this reissue, not only the engine maintenance cost will be reduced, but the range of the B-52H will also increase by 40%.