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F-15 used to test alternative jet fuel |
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Friday, 22 August 2008 |
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An F-15E Strike Eagle has conducted a flight test using an alternative fuel.
The United States Air Force (USAF) has conducted an F-15E Strike Eagle test flight using a 50-50 mix of JP-8 jet fuel and a natural gas-based synthetic fuel.
In what is considered a world-first, engineers from the 830th Aircraft Sustainment Group and pilots from the 339th Flight Test Squadron came together for the first airborne test of the new fuel.
While the fuel promises improved environmental performance, major Dan Badia, one of the pilots for the test flight, said that there was no drop in performance.
"You could have had JP-8 in there and I wouldn't have known the difference," he concluded.
Ryan Mead, an F-15 fuels engineer, added that he was pleased with the performance of the fuel because the aircraft functioned in the same range that it would have with conventional JP-8 fuel.
He suggested that the jet will be certified on the fuel as a result of further test flights.
Earlier this month, Rolls-Royce announced a new partnership with aerospace company Goodrich Corporation to develop and supply controls for the company's range of aircraft engines.
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