New B-52 engine cover for Minot’s BUFF fleet
Air Force Global Strike Command (AFGSC) pilots and maintainers have secured new engine covers that prevent icing in extreme cold thanks to support from STRIKEWERX and the AFGSC Office of the Chief Scientist (AFGSC/ST).
Air Force Operational Energy Savings Account provided Minot Air Force Base, North Dakota, with $1.2 million for B-52 Stratofortress engine pod covers to prevent ice buildup. As told by Sean Green, STRIKEWERX, Air Force Global Strike Command Public Affairs, in the article New B-52 engine cover prototype testing protects Minot’s bomber fleet, this solution will assist in preventing damage to engines, delays in takeoff, and reduce time Airmen spend de-icing aircraft engines.
“We found 10 engines were damaged across 2021-2023 due to ice debris, which resulted in $17 million in damages and 160-plus manhours lost,” said Master Sgt. Adam Vasas, AFGSC project champion.
STRIKEWERX, the innovation arm of AFGSC/ST, purchased and facilitated testing of 12 Transhield Pod Covers. These rugged, weatherproof covers wrap around the engines to ensure all ducts, inlets, and exhausts are sealed. It can be quickly deployed and removed on the aircraft and provides a method to manually heat engines if necessary.
“Maintainers will now have the ability to operate more efficiently in arctic weather environments, while people and equipment previously dedicated to keeping the engines warm can be utilized elsewhere or saved in reserve,” Vasas added.
The need for a new B-52 engine cover
The funding will equip the entire fleet at Minot AFB. This new cover is anticipated to save approximately 7,500 manhours and offer a high return on investment.
The need to protect engines from icing was originally explored via a Design Sprint hosted by STRIKEWERX, at the Cyber Innovation Center located in Bossier City, Louisiana, back in July 2022.
In October 2022, a prototype modified from a previous design was built to allow for heating of the engine cowling on B-52 aircraft. However, after testing at Minot AFB, the results did not meet the maintainers’ success criteria. This led to Vasas and other subject matter experts researching potential solutions and selecting the Transhield Pod Cover for further testing.
Cyber Innovation Center
Cyber Innovation Center (CIC), located in Bossier City, Louisiana, is the anchor of the 3,000-acre National Cyber Research Park and serves as the catalyst for the development and expansion of a knowledge-based workforce throughout the region.
As a 501c3 not-for-profit corporation, CIC fosters collaboration among its partners and accelerates technology, research, and development. One of its primary missions is to develop a sustainable knowledge-based workforce that can support the growing needs of government, industry, and academic partners.
The Pratt & Whitney TF33
Eight Pratt & Whitney TF33 engines power the U.S. Air Force’s B-52 Stratofortress long-range, heavy bomber that is capable of flying at high subsonic speeds at altitudes up to 50,000 feet. It can carry nuclear or precision guided conventional ordnance with worldwide precision navigation capability. The B-52 can perform strategic attack, close-air support, air interdiction, offensive counter-air and maritime operations. The use of aerial refueling gives the B-52 a range limited only by crew endurance. It has an unrefueled combat range in excess of 8,800 miles.
Currently powering the U.S. Air Force’s B-52 bombers and E-3 AWACS aircraft, Pratt & Whitney’s TF33 engines have flown more than 72 million flight hours over the last six decades.
The TF33 is the United States Air Force designation for the Pratt & Whitney JT3 commercial engine which boasts decades of proven performance in both military and civilian service. First flown 60 years ago, more than 1,000 engines are still in service today with the U.S. Air Force and other customers around the world. Since its first flight, the TF33 engine has accumulated more than 72 million flight hours, most while powering the B-52 bomber.
The Rolls-Royce F130
Rolls-Royce F130 engines were selected in 2021 to replace existing TF33 engines as part of the B-52 modernization program, with over 600 engine deliveries expected.
Rolls-Royce North America has been selected to provide the powerplant for the B-52 Stratofortress under the Commercial Engine Replacement Program (CERP), further extending a long history of powering the United States Air Force.
The decision means the American-made Rolls-Royce F-130 engine will power the B-52 for the next 30 years.
The F130 and its commercial family of engines have accumulated more than 27 million engine flight hours. The F130 is the perfect fit for the B-52 with proven reliability, superb life cycle cost, and low integration risk. A variant of the Rolls-Royce engine selected to power the iconic B-52 is already in service with the USAF around the world, powering both the C-37 and E-11 BACN aircraft.
Photo by Master Sgt. Adam Vasas / U.S. Air Force
