The U.S. Air Force Commercial Engine Replacement Program for the Boeing B-52J recently passed a Critical Design Review, according to the service.
The passage of review allows Boeing’s San Antonio, Texas, plant to modify two B-52Hs later this year to carry new F130 engines by Rolls-Royce.
“Following this initial work, the two modified B-52J test aircraft will undergo extensive testing at Edwards AFB [Air Force Base], Calif. to validate the new systems,” the Air Force said in a Monday press release. “Once testing is complete, the program will move toward modifying the remainder of the B-52H fleet.”
The more powerful F130s are to replace the B-52H’s eight Pratt & Whitney TF33-PW-103s. Under the Radar Modernization Program for the B-52H, an active electronically scanned array radar based on RTX’s APG-79 is to replace the bomber’s Northrop Grumman APQ-166. After the Commercial Engine Replacement Program and Radar Modernization Program upgrades, the B-52Hs became B-52Js.
The dual-capable B-52 bomber delivers the Long Range Standoff cruise missile, which carries the W80-4 warhead. The National Nuclear Security Administration is refurbishing the W80-4 warhead through a life extension program.
In February, Rolls-Royce said that it had completed altitude and operability testing for the F130 at the Air Force Arnold Engineering Development Complex in Tullahoma, Tenn.
The Air Force is to use the two test aircraft to begin developmental flight testing in fiscal 2029 and to finish the initial operational test and evaluation phase in fiscal 2032.
Exchange Monitor affiliate Defense Daily first published a version of this story.