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A KC-135 from the 336 ARS at the base refuels an F-22 from Edwards AFB with a new synthetic fuel which will decrease the Air Force’s dependence on foreign oil. It was the first time the new synthetic fuel was used in an air refueling as well as the first time a KC-135 flew using it. The pilots from both aircraft reported that everything went smoothly. (U.S. Air Force photo by Master Sgt. Rick Sforza, 4th CTCS)

Photo by Master Sgt. Rick Sforza, th CTCS

F-22 gets synthetic blend

12 Sep 2008 | SMSgt. Matt Proietti

MARCH AIR RESERVE BASE, CALIF. -- An Air Force Reserve KC-135R aircraft and associated aircrew from March ARB made history Aug. 28 by accomplishing an air-refueling mission that featured a 50/50 synthetic fuel blend and aerial refueling from a KC-135R to an F-22 Raptor. Both aircraft were operating solely on the blended fuel. The approximately 2.5-hour sortie included two refuelings of the F-22. Both aircraft completed individual qualification activities earlier this week. No anomalies were observed and all operations were nominal.

At the request of the 827th Aircraft Sustainment Group, Air Mobility Command Test and Evaluation Squadron personnel were employed to conduct an Operational Assessment on the suitability of JP-8 fuel blended with 50 percent Synthetic Paraffinic Kerosene (SPK) fuel (Fischer-Tropsch) for use in a KC-135R aircraft.

The Air Force is striving to certify the JP-8/SPK fuel blend for the fleet and this assessment will assist in those efforts.

This fuel has been successfully tested on B-52, B-1 and C-17 aircraft and F-15. This assessment was conducted using a single KC-135R and began with ground testing to demonstrate the JP-8/SPK compatibility with fuel tanks, auxiliary power units and aircraft engines.

After ground testing, an isolated engine flight test was performed using the number two engine. That was followed by a flight test using JP-8/SPK blend in all four engines and included aerial refueling of an F-22 Raptor in conjunction with the Air Force Flight Test Center's assessment of the fuel blend in the F-22.

Certification of the USAF's vanguard tanker aircraft, the KC-135, will allow for continued unrestricted refueling support to not only U. S. Air Force assets, but also those it is compatible with from sister services and allied air forces, thus ensuring continued worldwide interoperability.

Successful flight testing of the F-22 will validate that the synthetic fuel blend is capable of sustaining even the most demanding performance requirements posed by the most modern and the highest performance fighter aircraft in existence.