The J57 production engine was the world's first jet engine to develop 10,000 pounds thrust. It evolved from the T45 turboprop engine designed for the XB-52 program. As advances in the B-52 design dictated greater power requirements, the turboprop concept was discarded and the wasp-waisted J57 turbojet was developed. The J57 featured a dual-rotor axial-flow compressor that allowed low fuel consumption over a wide operating range and improved the sluggish acceleration previously characteristic of jet engines. The design and development of this engine was awarded the Collier Trophy in 1953.

Using the J57 engine, the North American YF-100A Super Sabre became the world's first fighter aircraft to reach supersonic speed in level flight on its maiden flight on 25 May 1953. Later versions of the J57 and its commercial equivalent, the JT3, reached the 18,000 pound thrust level with an afterburner. When production ended in 1970, more than 21,000 of these engines had been built.

Besides the B-52 and the F-100, the J57 (or JT3) also powered the Vought F8U; Douglas F4D, F5D, A3D, and DC-8; Boeing 707, 720, and KC-135; McDonnell F-101A; and Convair F-102A.