C-17 Globemaster III made its first flight on biofuel

C-17 Globemaster III made its first flight on biofuel

The U.S. Air Force Base Edwards (Edwards Air Force Base, California) during the period 23 to August 27, 2010 passed flight tests, during which the American military aircraft transportnyy Boeing C-17 Globemaster III made its first flight on a mixture of conventional fuel grade JP-8 and biofuels.

During the test was first used a mixture of 50% JP-8, to 25% - of the fuel produced by processing of beef fat, and 25% - of biofuels made from recycled coal. During the test flight is a mixture of fuel fed to the first one engine, then two and so on. Thus, during the last test flight, a mixture of biofuels and JP-8 was applied to all engines transporter; C-17 is powered by four turbofan jet engines.

Earlier flight on biofuel in the United States have already committed attack A-10 Thunderbolt II fighter and F/A-18 Super Hornet. It should be noted that these aircraft flew on a mixture of 50 percent of JP-8 and the same amount of fuel derived from false flax, cabbage family plants are not used for food. In flight, the C-17 fuel derived from coal and animal fat was used for the first time.

In the U.S., a program to convert all aircraft on the new type of fuel that would allow the military to save considerable money to buy kerosene. As expected, the Air Force, being the largest consumer of fuel in the U.S., transferred all of its planes on biofuel by 2016, all military aircraft must obtain a certificate of fitness for use of biofuels by 2012.

In November 2009, the U.S. Air Force began to establish a Center for Fuel Studies aerospace industry. This center will develop an alternative fuel for fighter jets, which in term will generally not use the traditional jet fuel in aircraft. On the establishment of the center will be spent around $ 2.5 million.

Source: www.af.mil