AEDC contributes to Air Force's first supersonic flight using synthetic fuel Published March 28, 2008 Arnold Air Force Base, Tenn. -- Arnold Engineering Development Center (AEDC) has played a significant role in supporting the recent flight of a B-1B Lancer powered by an alternative fuel mix. The B-1B, from the 9th Bomb Squadron at Dyess Air Force Base, Texas, was the first Air Force aircraft to fly at supersonic speed using a 50/50 blend of synthetic and petroleum-based fuels. The blend is being tested as part of an ongoing Air Force program to certify Air Force aircraft to use a synthetic fuel and encourage domestic production. Since 2006, AEDC has taken an active role in its support of the U.S. Air Force's evaluation and certification of this alternative fuel, which is derived from natural gas or coal using the Fischer-Tropsch (FT) process, for use in all Air Force aircraft. The center's support of the Air Force's alternative fuels initiative began when AEDC's 717th Test Squadron was designated as the Responsible Testing Organization for FT fuels certification testing. A team from AEDC took their technical expertise and specialized equipment to Tinker Air Force Base to assist time-critical, ground testing of a 50/50 blend of FT and JP-8 fuels on a TF33 jet engine. The TF33 powers the B-52 Stratofortress bomber. "The lessons learned from the initial FT fuel demonstration of the B-52 engine laid the foundation for the successful testing of the B-1 Lancer Bomber engine using a synthetic/JP-8 blend that was conducted in AEDC's J-1 jet engine altitude test cell in 2007," said Ed Tucker, 717th Test Squadron test project engineer at the center. Testing at AEDC on the F101 engine, the power plant for the B-1 was the first series to qualify a high performance, afterburning engine with FT fuel for a combat aircraft. The successful flight of the B-1B March 19 helped to reinforce the feasibility of the projected timeline for the Air Force's alternative fuels initiative. "The goal is to have every Air Force aircraft using synthetic fuel blends by 2011," said Maj. Don Rhymer, assigned to the Air Force Alternative Fuels Certification Office. "By 2016 we hope at least 50 percent of this fuel will be produced domestically." Air Force officials previously had tested the fuel blend in the B-52 Stratofortress, the first aircraft to use the fuel, and the C-17 Globemaster III. The supersonic flight by the B-1B occurred over the White Sands Missile Range airspace in south-central New Mexico, but the flight took off from Dyess Air Force Base. The B-52 is certified to fly using a 50/50 blend of FT fuel and JP-8 and the C-17 is in the process of being certified. Within the federal government, the Air Force is the single largest user of aviation fuel, using an estimated 3 billion gallons per year. Each time the price of oil goes up $10 per barrel, it costs the Air Force an additional $600 million for fuel. The FT process gives the Air Force a viable alternative to conventional jet fuel. In the long term, synthetic fuel created using the FT process could cost an estimated $30 to $50 less per barrel than its petroleum counterpart. "This innovative domestically-produced fuel will help alleviate our dependence on foreign energy sources," Major Rhymer said. Alternative fuels can be produced from domestically available hydrocarbon products like natural gas, coal and shale, and then gasified and converted into any number of liquid fuel products. "There was no noticeable difference flying with this fuel," said Capt. Rick Fournier, the B-1B synthetic fuel flight mission commander. "I would have no problem flying an aircraft using this fuel in peacetime or combat." Compiled by Philip Lorenz III, Arnold Engineering Development public affairs.