Rolls-Royce targets April 2027 start for B-52J F130 flight-test engine deliveries, executive says

• Rolls-Royce management flagged progress on F130 development and qualification testing for the U.S. Air Force B-52 re-engining program.
• Critical design review completed; altitude performance and operability testing finished; additional validation testing continuing ahead of flight tests.
• Assembly of 20 flight-test engines underway in Indianapolis, converting baseline BR725 units into the F130 configuration.
• Deliveries of flight-test engines expected to start in April 2027 to support aircraft modification and the flight-test program.
• Program positioned as leveraging commercial BR-family technology with more than 30 million flight hours, adapted for B-52 installation requirements.

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