The US Air Force (USAF), took another step in the process to replace the engines of the classic Boeing B-52H Stratofortress bomber.
The USAF released a request for proposal for manufacturers to present their projects to replace the engines that equip the B-52H.
Currently, B-52Hs have used Pratt & Whitney TF33-PW-103 engines since the early 1960s. The TF33 is based on the commercial JT3D that powered the Boeing 707 and Douglas DC-8.
There are 8 engines per aircraft, and a big reason why the B-52H consumes a lot of kerosene on each flight.
In this project, the USAF plans to buy 608 commercial engines – plus spare engines and equipment – allowing it to operate the heavy bombers until at least 2050.
The USAF wants to move quickly with this project, and the entire contract is expected to be finalized in May 2021, with deliveries by 2038.
The USAF wants an engine that is similar in size, thrust, and weight compared to current P&W engines. Each of these engines generates 17000 lbs of thrust (75,7kN).
GE Aviation, Pratt & Whitney and Rolls-Royce have expressed interest in participating in this tender.
GE Aviation plans to offer two offerings:
- The first is to equip the B-52 with eight military engines derived directly from the veteran CF34-10, created based on the A-10 engines, and which currently powers commercial aircraft from Bombardier and Embraer, as well as executive jets.
- In addition, GE's second proposal is based on the port engine, from the Global 7500 executive jets.
Rolls-Royce is betting on the F130 military engine, a military derivative of the company's BR700, which powers Gulfstream executive jets and other aircraft.
Pratt & Whitney can offer the PW800 engines, which power the Gulfstream G500 and G600 executive jets.
As you can see, manufacturers are now betting massively on new executive jet engines for the B-52H project, which must be updated and end its “life” with 8 engines in its wings.
Modern engines go against the military aviation market, which always bets on solid products, with market experience, but the USAF wants to bet on an engine that really reduces fuel consumption, noise, emissions and operating costs , even with eight engines equipping each plane.
With current propulsion, the B-52H has a range of 14200 km, this capacity can be expanded by up to 40%, according to choice, reaching an incredible range of 19880 km.
