B-52 testing synthetic fuel at Minot

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news/2007/01/apafbomberfuel070120

The Associated Press
Posted : Saturday Jan 20, 2007 12:16:15 EST

MINOT, N.D. — A B-52 bomber at the Minot Air Force Base is testing a jet fuel made partly from coal.

The bomber will be tested through February to determine how well the fuel blend, which is half conventional fuel and have synthetic fuel, performs in cold weather, base officials said.

“The B-52 is leading the way in carrying out the Air Force’s vision for conservation,” Col. Eldon A. Woodie, the Minot Air Force Base 5th Bomb Wing commander, said in a statement. “Hopefully, the weather will allow us to complete cold-weather testing.”

The fuel blend has been tested since September, starting at Edwards Air Force Base, Calif. Officials said the bomber has flown with synthetic fuel in all eight engines, and ground tests are planned at the Minot base.

The cold-weather data will be analyzed along with the data from Edwards. A complete test report is to be issued in June.

The Pentagon has said it hopes to get funds for synthetic jet fuel next year.

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Airman 1st Class Christopher Boitz / Air Force A B-52 Stratofortress waits to be prepped for flight Jan. 8 at Minot Air Force Base, N.D. A B-52 bomber at Minot will be testing a jet fuel made partly from coa to determine how well the fuel blend performs in cold weather, base officials said.

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