Bomber Hits Mach 1 Over White Sands, NM
A B-1B Lancer from the 9th Bomb Squadron at Dyess Air Force Base
became the first USAF 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 the
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."
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.
Within the federal government, the Air Force is the single
largest user of aviation fuel, using an estimated three 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 cleaner, more cost-efficient
fuel source.
Synthetic fuel created using the FT process costs an estimated
$30 to $50 less per barrel than its petroleum counterpart... but
saving money is not the only reason the Air Force is looking to use
synthetic fuel.
"A lot of people are quick to point to the cost-efficiency of
alternative fuel," Major Rhymer said. "But this innovative
domestically-produced fuel will also help alleviate our dependence
on foreign energy sources."
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.
These fuels are also proven to burn cleaner, reducing
combustion-related emissions and particulates in the air -- all
without compromising performance.
"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."
It's great to be part of an Air Force initiative that is also
helping the environment, Captain Fournier said. "Using a fuel that
is cheaper and cleaner ... what could be better?"
(Aero-News thanks Staff Sgt. Matthew Bates, Air Force News
Agency)