New B-52 engine cover prototype testing protects Minot’s bomber fleet

BARKSDALE AIR FORCE BASE, La. - 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. 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 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.

About the 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.

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