Sun, Aug 28, 2011
T-45 Goshawk Becomes Fifth Navy Aircraft Tested For
Camelina-Based Jet Fuel
The Navy's alternative energy program expanded Aug. 24 when a
T-45 training aircraft completed a successful biofuel flight at
Naval Air Station (NAS) Patuxent River, MD. The "Salty Dogs" of Air
Test and Evaluation Squadron (VX) 23 flew the high-performance jet
trainer on a biofuel mixture of petroleum-based JP-5 jet fuel and
plant-based camelina. The high oil content of the camelina seed
makes it a valuable source of renewable and sustainable energy.
"This successful test flight brings us a step closer to meeting
the Navy's energy security goals," said Vice Adm. David Architzel,
commander, Naval Air Systems Command. "My congratulations to the
Navy fuels team here at NAVAIR for playing an instrumental role in
proving the viability of biofuels to power naval aircraft."
The T-45 "Goshawk" is a tandem-seat aircraft used by the Navy
and Marine Corps to train pilots on carrier and tactical mission
operations. This is the fifth aircraft successfully tested using
biofuel at NAS Patuxent River and showcases the Navy's commitment
to achieve energy independence by reducing the need for foreign
oil. Previous aircraft tested include the F/18 E/F, MH-60S, F/A-18
D, and most recently, the MV-22. Navy Secretary Ray Mabus' goal is
to cut the Navy's oil usage in half by 2025.
"This test of the T-45 with a 50/50 blend of biofuel represents
another significant milestone in the long list of detailed flight
test and demonstrations of the F-18 Super Hornet, the MH-60S, and
the V-22," said Rear Adm. Phil Cullom, Director of the Chief of
Naval Operations Energy and Environmental Readiness Division. "Our
commitment to the aggressive test schedule for drop-in replacement
fuels for JP-5 and F-76 keep us on pace for the 2012 demonstration
and 2016 deployment of the Great Green Fleet."
Three additional Navy aircraft are scheduled for biofuel test
flights before the end of the year.
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