Aircraft #5 and #6 will perform the team’s first performance using “green” biofuel, making the Thunderbirds the first Department of Defense aerial performance team to fly on the alternative fuel.
The thunderbirds will be flying on a Camelina-based Hydrotreated Renewable Jet (HRJ). The Air Force is testing and evaluating biomass fuels derived from three different feedstocks: camelina (plant seed oil), beef tallow (animal fat) and various waste oils and greases.
To date, the Air Force has tested and certified biofuel as a 50% blend with regular jet fuel in the A-10, F-15, C-17, and F-22 aircraft. Fleet-wide certification is on track for completion in 2013.
The U.S. Air Force Air Demonstration Squadron, the Thunderbirds, performs precision aerial maneuvers demonstrating the capabilities of the Air Force high performance aircraft to people throughout the world.
Latest from Aerospace Manufacturing and Design
- Muratec USA announces strategic Mid-Atlantic partnership with Alta Enterprises
- Blue laser scanner for CMMs
- Archer reveals plans for Miami air taxi network
- Threading tool, gage lines expanded
- #55 Lunch + Learn Podcast with KINEXON
- Boeing to build 96 AH-64E Apache helicopters for Poland
- SIDEKICK automation solution
- Ohio awards $10.2M for new defense, aerospace, tech R&D statewide
