New Covers for B-52 Bombers to Combat Arctic Icing
Enhanced B-52 Engine Covers Effectively Prevent Ice Accumulation During Severe Winter Conditions
Let's explore the innovative development of new covers designed to combat icing issues on B-52 bomber engines, especially in harsh Arctic environments. These aircraft, regularly deployed to northern Europe and based in North Dakota, frequently encounter chilly weather. Today, maintainers employ a protective system over the aircraft's eight engines, but it falls short in providing a complete seal or adequate insulation, as stated by Charles Hoffman, Global Strike Command's chief of media operations, in an interview with Air & Space Forces Magazine.
Icing can lead to engine damage, delayed takeoffs, and the need for Airmen to invest time in de-icing engine components. "We identified 10 engines impacted by ice debris between 2021-2023, resulting in approximately $17 million in damages and over 160 manhours wasted," shared Master Sgt. Adam Vasas, a key advocate for the new cover project, in a press release from November 2022.
This issue was addressed by STRIKEWERX, a specialized innovation incubator dedicated to solving Global Strike Command challenges through research, testing, and scaling of solutions. STRIKEWERX initiated its investigation into the engine icing problem in July 2022 and developed a prototype by October, offering a means for maintainers to heat the engine cowling of the B-52. Initial results didn't quite meet expectations, but Vasas and collaborators remained committed to improving the design.
The result of their efforts is the Transhield Pod Cover, an innovative solution that encases the engines to seal all ducts, inlets, and exhausts. This protective cover already has applications in protecting boats, commercial aircraft engines, and other military equipment. The Transhield ArmorDillo fabric, which is covered in polyurethane, resists water intrusion and corrosion, as explained by Hoffman.
With this new cover, maintainers will enjoy greater efficiency in icy weather conditions, while resources previously dedicated to engine heating can be used elsewhere or saved in reserve. "Maintainers will now efficiently operate in Arctic weather environments," said Vasas in the press release. Unlike previous covers, the Transhield Pod Cover incorporates an adaptor to enable maintainers to attach a ground heater hose and blow heated air into the engine inlets during extreme low temperatures.
The Air Force Operational Energy Savings Account granted $1.2 million to Minot Air Force Base to purchase engine covers for their entire B-52 fleet. Each cover costs about $12,800, but they are projected to save around 7,500 manhours, according to the release. The new covers are specifically designed for the B-52H equipped with T-33 engines. They will remain functional until the arrival of the B-52J, a more advanced version featuring new Rolls Royce F130-200 engines, modified nacelles, and pylons, which will require new engine covers.
Although the B-52J is still a few years away—estimated for initial operational capability in 2033—it promises significant enhancements, including improvements to its radar, communications systems, cockpit displays, and other equipment, ultimately extending the operational life of the B-52 bomber beyond the mid-2030s. Challenges and cost overruns have been reported, particularly with the radar upgrade, which is projected to reach its initial operational capability in 2027 for integration into the B-52 fleet.
In the sky above, the future of the B-52 is taking shape, equipped with cutting-edge technology to maintain its operational prowess well into the next few decades.
- The Transhield Pod Cover, an innovative solution designed to counter icing issues on B-52 bomber engines, is anticipated to be beneficial not just for the Air Force, but also for other sectors like the space force, as it resists water intrusion and corrosion, making it suitable for harsh space environments.
- The military is planning ahead for the future of its aircraft, with the B-52J, a more advanced version of the B-52, set to feature new engines, modified nacelles, and pylons, which will necessitate the development of new engine covers.
- The aerospace industry is continuously working on improving weapons systems, as seen in the development of the Transhield Pod Cover, which not only enhances the efficiency of maintainers in icy weather conditions but also reduces overall costs due to savings in manhours.
- Finance plays a crucial role in the military's operations, as demonstrated by the Air Force Operational Energy Savings Account, which granted $1.2 million to Minot Air Force Base to purchase engine covers for their entire B-52 fleet, resulting in projected savings of around 7,500 manhours.
- The technology behind the Transhield Pod Cover, along with other advancements such as the B-52J's radar upgrade, points towards continued growth and innovation in the military's aircraft industry, ensuring the operational effectiveness of its aircraft in various environments, including the air, space, and extreme cold conditions.
