Navy's biofuel-powered flight, scheduled to take place on Earth Day,
April 22. An unmodified, Boeing-built F/A-18F Super Hornet will take
off from Naval Air Station Patuxent River, Md., powered by a
sustainable biofuel blend of 50 percent camelina and 50 percent JP-5
aviation fuel.
Operating Navy platforms with renewable energy sources such as
sustainable biofuels is part of the service's strategy to reduce
reliance on fossil fuels by half over the next decade, as well as the
Secretary of the Navy's broader emphasis on energy-efficiency efforts
for the Navy and Marine Corps.
Boeing has been assisting the Navy through laboratory testing of fuel
properties and engineering evaluations of fuel system compatibility,
according to Tim Vinopal, Boeing's environmental chief engineer
supporting the Boeing Defense, Space & Security effort.
"We have worked closely with the aviation and fuels industries for
several years to provide our customers with options to reduce
environmental impact, including the use of sustainable biofuels,"
Vinopal said. "We are honored to be able to support the U.S. Navy in
this groundbreaking renewable-energy effort."
Boeing biofuel testing has included demonstration flights of five
commercial aircraft, testing of four engine types, and laboratory
testing with various fuel processors, feedstocks, and engine
manufacturers to ensure these fuels meet or exceed the high
performance and quality standards specified for current aviation
fuels, without modification to the engine or airframe. Camelina is one
of several promising biofuel crops, as it requires little water or
fertilizer and does not compete with food crops.
The company also is helping to create a commercial market for
renewable fuels and to guide their approval for use in commercial
aviation.
"Boeing is applying the significant knowledge we've gained during this
sustainable biofuel development effort in support of U.S. Department
of Defense specification revisions for military fuels," said Vinopal.
"Boeing recognizes the serious challenges facing the global ecosystem
and is committed to improving the environmental performance of its
operations, products and services."
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