On Dec 15, Maj. Gen. Curtis Bedke piloted a B-52 bomber from Edwards Airforce Base, on a test flight powered by synthetic fuel. The fuel is a 50-50 blend of Fischer-Tropsch synthetic fuel. The fuel is derived from Natural Gas via the Fischer-Tropsch method.
Part of the test flight involved checking fuel consumption as well some operational manuevers : Simulated bomb runs, aerial refueling, speed-down maneuver and some throttle bursts.
Officials said the eight-engine test further demonstrates the Air Force’s commitment to using alternate fuels and is the next step in the testing and certification process before the fuel can go into widespread use.
Next steps to be taken are testing the fuel if it can start at cold temperatures. This will happen around January-February next year.
Article here via Airforce Link
Category: Oil, Natural Gas
