B-52 Undergoes Synthetic-Fuel Cold Weather Testing At Minot

[bananas]

http://www.energy-daily.com/reports/B_52_Undergoes_Synthetic_Fuel_Cold_Weather_Testing_At_Minot_999.html

B-52 Undergoes Synthetic-Fuel Cold Weather Testing At Minot
File photo of B-52 Stratofortess.

by Staff Writers
Minot AFB (SPX) Jan 23, 2007

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 today 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 A. Woodie, 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.

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[Massacure]

1. A coal powered bomber.

Great. Just great. :crazy:

[NNadir]

5. We have to worry about weapons diversion of coal.

[razors edge]

2. Great news,

in no time we will be able to bomb the shit out of Jupiter as the Earth starts to resemble Venus.

[IDemo]

3. "The B-52 is leading the way in carrying out the Air Force's vision for conservation,"

I see. Interesting. Mmm hmmm. Ok.....

[catnhatnh]

4. A: I am an old bastard....

B: this bastard was in flight tests before I was born...
C: Using this bad boy in combat is the full equivalent of flying a Spad on dawn patrol in WW2-ridiculous if we picked on someone our own size...

[greenman3610]

6. russians are testing liquid hydrogen for jets

per amory lovins on BBC

[Porcupine]

7. Why would the Air Force need synfuels?

The US still manages to produce 40% of the petroleum it uses. A large part of the imports come from Mexico and Canada. For the Air Force to speculate a forced change to synfuels in the projected lifespan of the existing B-52's is very, very, scary.

I expect to see a lighter-than-air bomber any day now. Dig out the plans for the Akron.


whoops! they already have a head start. http://tinyurl.com/aldzt