Air Force goes supersonic on synthetic fuel.
An Air Force B-1 bomber filled with a 50-50 synthetic blend jet fuel flew past Mach 1 today. The synthetic fuel is carbon based, and is derived through a process that takes coal (or natural gas or biomass) and converts it into liquid hydrocarbons (i.e., fuel). This synthetic fuel is then mixed with 50% jet fuel in order to reach the optimal blend. The Air Force intends to certify all of its aircraft on this blend by 2011 and to use it in 100% of its flights by 2016.
While it is nice to see a branch of the government leading the way on alternative fuel use, as the technology currently exists, synthetic fuel production actually emits more greenhouse gasses than traditional petroleum. The impetus for the Air Force’s policy is twofold: economics and energy independence. The Defense Department, which accounts for 90% of all fuel use by the federal government, spends billions of dollars each year on petroleum. Additionally, unlike oil, there are plentiful sources of coal, natural gas and biomass, in the United States, thereby making the military less dependent on the global oil supply.
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