B-52 Undergoes Synthetic-Fuel Cold Weather Testing Jan 22, 2007 – Air Force News Staff
MINOT AIR FORCE BASE, N.D. (AFNEWS) -- A B-52
Stratofortess powered by a mix of synthetic fuel arrived here Jan. 17 for
cold-weather testing, the last step in the testing and certification process
to help reduce Air Force dependence on imported fuel.
The aircraft, permanently assigned to the 5th Bomb Wing here, will undergo
ground testing Jan. 22 through the beginning of February to determine how
well the synthetic fuel, made from a 50-50 blend of traditional crude
oil-based fuel and a Fischer-Tropsch fuel derived from natural gas, performs
in extreme weather conditions.
"The B-52 is leading the way in carrying out the Air Force's vision for
conservation," said Col. Eldon Woodie, the 5th Bomb Wing commander.
"Hopefully, the weather will allow us to complete cold-weather testing."
The first B-52 flight using Fischer-Tropsch fuel occurred Sept. 19 at Edwards
AFB, Calif. It was an aviation first. Since then, the aircraft has been
tested extensively -- up to the point of flying with synthetic fuel in all
eight engines. Ground testing here will occur with synthetic fuel in all
engines.
After testing here is done, the cold-weather data will be analyzed along with
the data from Edwards AFB, and a complete test report is scheduled to be
issued in June.
"The maintenance and aircraft support here at Minot have been outstanding,"
said Robert Aguilar, the project manager for cold-weather testing, who's here
from California.
