The Cold War is over but the B-52 bombers Stratofortress nuclear heavy bombers of that era are still in use and scheduled to get new engines from Rolls Royce.
Rolls Royce beat out GE Aviation and Pratt & Whitney for the contract and will replace the engines with its F-130 turbofan engine, according. to a press release from the British company.
The B-52 fleet is approaching 70-years-old, old enough for the planes to be in museums by now, New Atlas said. But the aircraft were "over engineered" and so capable that 76 are still in service with 112 in reserve.
"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," Tom Bell, chairman and CEO of Rolls Royce North America and president – Defense said. "The F130 is a proven, efficient, modern engine that is the perfect fit for the B-52."
The $2.6 billion contract calls for Rolls Royce to replace 608 engines - eight per plane and provide 42 spare engines. The engines will be built in Indianapolis.
The new engines will allow the planes to fly longer without refueling.
The B-52s that are flying today have been upgraded extensively with new equipment, which means about the only thing left from the original aircraft are the frames.