Rolls Royce wins contract to re-engine B52 fleet

[Ed H]

Looks like the US Air force has chosen the RR F130 engine to upgrade its B52s

https://www.airforcemag.com/rolls-royce ... 6-billion/

[Ghost from above]

https://www.rolls-royce.com/media/press-releases.aspx

[Seahornet1]

Slightly odd comment here...

Boeing will decide whether and how to mount the engines in twin-engine pods or nacelles, as the TF33s are now arranged...

(My highlight.)

Any thoughts on what possible alternative layout there might be...?

[Finty]

Nice!

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An engine designed in Germany for a British company, that'll be made in America. The days of America seemingly only buying American must be fading.

[Snoop 95]

An engine designed in Germany for a British company, that'll be made in America. The days of America seemingly only buying American must be fading.

A multi-national company now for sure. Is the American subsidiary of RR the former Allison company, whose turbo-props were widely fitted?

[Snoop 95]

An engine designed in Germany for a British company, that'll be made in America. The days of America seemingly only buying American must be fading.

A multi-national company now for sure. Is the American subsidiary of RR the former Allison company, whose turbo-props were widely fitted?

Yes it is. Found the answer in the usual place - Wiki. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rolls-Royce_North_America

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That's not what I said

This engine was designed by BMW Rolls-Royce AeroEngines GmbH, which was as a UK-based European firm. It may have been owned by the multi-national RR PLC, but it started life in a very small, independent UK-based design office with no connection with the larger, multi-national RR plc except for some start-up money.

[mushbuster]

This is big news. More details on the F-130 (AKA BR725 in civil applications) here https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rolls-Royce_BR700
From elsewhere in the US Air Force "The first two fully modified B-52s are expected to be available for testing by the end of 2025. The first operational B-52s with the new engines is projected to be delivered by the end of 2028 with the entire fleet modified by 2035. 608 engines to be supplied in total."

I for one will miss the gorgeous noise and smell of the B-52H with TF33s and there will be no more smoky departures from Fairford. I wonder how much the range will increase with the significantly improved engine efficiency. It will have big implications across the heavy bomber and tanker fleets

[roger4]

The answer to your range / fuel efficiency question is in the link in the first post - up to 40%.

[plmc135]

Can someone come up with a plan to re-engine adults over 70

[Supra]

Can someone come up with a plan to re-engine adults over 70

Great idea! Especially with the reduced "noise and smell of the (Edit..Older Generation & possibly) be no more smoky departures " as noted in the mushbuster post three above this!

[Albert149]

It won't be the same without the smoke but at least they will still be flying.

[Doodah]

B52 - the Rolls Royce of bombers

[Stratocruiser]

B52 - the Rolls Royce of bombers

Great comment, Love it

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A Buff person on another forum says they're expecting a protest to be filed but not because the award's been made to a non-US company.

[gamecock]

I was under the impression RR North America was wholly American owned and in no way associated with RR UK plc.

[quid21]

Yes bound to be a protest, the US doesn't like buying anything with a European name with the exception of the original British Harrier, are there any other types or equipment the US has bought from Europe?

Whats the betting that a US company will win after the protest.....call me cynical! Even if RR is American, an American sounding company name would be better

[Nighthawke]

T-45 Goshawk is another example.

[Alf]

Yes bound to be a protest, the US doesn't like buying anything with a European name with the exception of the original British Harrier, are there any other types or equipment the US has bought from Europe?

Whats the betting that a US company will win after the protest.....call me cynical! Even if RR is American, an American sounding company name would be better

USAF/Army bought C-23 Sherpa, USCG bought Dauphin , US Army the H145 , US Navy new helicopter is the AW119, US Navy T-45 Goshawk.. US also bought U-28, C-146 .. and probably quite a few others