Rolls-Royce chosen to re-engine B52 Bombers

Rolls-Royce has been chosen to re-engine the United States Air Force’s heavy bomber fleet, the B52 Stratofortress for the next 30 years.

The contract was awarded by the Pentagon to Rolls-Royce’s US subsidiary and will see it supply the F130 engine which is a military version of the proven BR725 engine which is used in executive jets around the world including the Gulfstream G650.

Rolls-Royce saw off competition from US giants GE and Pratt & Whitney to win the contract which is worth around $500,000,000 in the first 6 years and if all options are taken up, around $2.6bn over the life of the contract.

The Boeing B52 Stratoforess first entered service in 1954 and has seen enhancements and improvements over the years which has kept it as the ultimate long-range heavy bomber and has seen action in every major conflict including Korea, Vietnam, The Balkans and Afghanistan.

Tom Bell, Chairman & CEO, Rolls-Royce North America, and President – Defense, said, “We are proud to join a truly iconic U.S. Air Force program and provide world-class, American-made engines that will power its missions for the next 30 years. The F130 is a proven, efficient, modern engine that is the perfect fit for the B-52.”