B-1B Achieves First Supersonic Flight Using Synthetic Fuel

[Midnight Mike]

B-1B Achieves First Supersonic Flight Using Synthetic Fuel

http://www.asd-network.com/press_detail_B.asp?ID=15555

Dyess Air Force Base, Texas, March 20, 2008) -- A B-1B Lancer from the 9th Bomb Squadron here became the first Air Force aircraft to fly at supersonic speed using an alternate fuel March 19 in a flight over Texas and New Mexico.

The fuel, a 50/50 blend of synthetic and petroleum gases, is being tested as part of an ongoing Air Force program to help the environment and to use a fuel produced domestically.

Air Force officials are in the process of evaluating and certifying this alternative fuel, which is derived from natural gas using the Fischer-Tropsch process, for use in all Air Force aircraft.

"The goal is to have every 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."

[Nick]

They did the same thing with a C-17 recently. Good stuff.

[Midnight Mike]

They did the same thing with a C-17 recently. Good stuff.

Something more to add to that:


Air Force officials previously have 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 AFB.

[cancidas]

i wonder how that was broken down. were the two fuels mixed in the tanks or were they running separate engines...