SENIOR US AIR Force officials are favouring Boeing's bid to re-engine 94 B-52H bombers with Rolls-Royce RB.211 turbofans, but the Department of Defense must win Congressional support if the project is to see the light of day.
Boeing officials say that top-level USAF officers, including Chief of Staff Ronald Fogleman, "-want to make it happen" but are awaiting completion of cost-benefit evaluations before taking a final stand on the unsolicited aircraft-modernisation proposal.
Under the concept, four RB.211-535E4Bs of 178-192kN (40-43,000lb)-thrust would replace the eight twin-podded 75kN Pratt & Whitney TF-33s now on the aircraft. The RB.211s would be assembled by Allison Engine, R-R's engine-making subsidiary in the USA. The RB.211 was selected by Boeing over the Pratt & Whitney PW2040. General Electric did not compete.
A year-long feasibility study by Boeing concludes that the USAF could save as much as $6 billion in operation and support costs over 25 years - some of which could be used to pay for the aircraft-modernisation effort.
A USAF study is under way to confirm the Boeing cost figures, and the Institute for Defense Analyzes, the Pentagon's independent think-tank, was due to submit its cost analysis on 20 September.
Boeing officials will not reveal the cost of the re-engineing programme, but R-R officials previously estimated $3 billion in engineering and procurement costs.
Federal procurement policy does not allow for Boeing's bid for a long-term engine-lease arrangement in lieu of outright purchase of the RB.211 turbofans.
Source: Flight International
