Super Hornet
US Navy to fly biofuel powered F/A-18 Super Hornet
Boeing is supporting the U.S. Navy’s biofuel-powered flight, scheduled to take place on Earth Day, April 22. An unmodified, Boeing-built F/A-18F Super Hornet will take off from Naval Air Station Patuxent River, Md., powered by a sustainable biofuel blend of 50 percent camelina and 50 percent JP-5 aviation fuel.
Operating Navy platforms with renewable energy sources such as sustainable biofuels is part of the service’s strategy to reduce reliance on fossil fuels by half over the next decade, as well as the Secretary of the Navy’s broader emphasis on energy-efficiency efforts for the Navy and Marine Corps.
Boeing has been assisting the Navy through laboratory testing of fuel properties and engineering evaluations of fuel system compatibility, according to Tim Vinopal, Boeing’s environmental chief engineer supporting the Boeing Defense, Space & Security effort.
“We have worked closely with the aviation and fuels industries for several years to provide our customers with options to reduce environmental impact, including the use of sustainable biofuels,” Vinopal said. “We are honored to be able to support the U.S. Navy in this groundbreaking renewable-energy effort.”
Boeing biofuel testing has included demonstration flights of five commercial aircraft, testing of four engine types, and laboratory testing with various fuel processors, feedstocks, and engine manufacturers to ensure these fuels meet or exceed the high performance and quality standards specified for current aviation fuels, without modification to the engine or airframe. Camelina is one of several promising biofuel crops, as it requires little water or fertilizer and does not compete with food crops.
The company also is helping to create a commercial market for renewable fuels and to guide their approval for use in commercial aviation.
“Boeing is applying the significant knowledge we’ve gained during this sustainable biofuel development effort in support of U.S. Department of Defense specification revisions for military fuels,” said Vinopal. “Boeing recognizes the serious challenges facing the global ecosystem and is committed to improving the environmental performance of its operations, products and services.”
Boeing highlights commitment to India at Defexpo 2010
Boeing will present world-class products and services including the F/A-18IN Super Hornet, C-17 Globemaster III, P-8I, AH-64D Apache and CH-47F Chinook to Indian government officials, military officers, and other valued stakeholders at Defexpo 2010. The exhibition takes place Feb. 15-18 at the Pragati Maidan complex in New Delhi.
“This is an important year for Boeing Defense, Space & Security (BDS) in India,” said Vivek Lall, BDS vice president and India country head. “Many of our products and platforms are currently in competition or under active consideration by the government, and we are looking forward to demonstrating how they will quickly contribute to India’s defense modernization and bring long-term industrial benefits to the nation.”
Boeing is kicking off its Defexpo participation with a preshow briefing for the media at noon on Thursday, Feb. 11, at the Taj Mansingh Hotel. During the show, BDS executives will invite stakeholders into an F/A-18IN Super Hornet cockpit simulator to demonstrate the aircraft’s advanced features, including its superior air-to-ground and air-to-air capabilities. Boeing also will provide media briefings on the C-17 Globemaster III and on two Boeing Rotorcraft products in current competitions — the CH-47F Chinook and AH-64D Apache. An Airborne Battle Management briefing will cover Airborne Early Warning and Control as well as the P-8I long-range maritime patrol and anti-submarine aircraft. India selected the P-8I for its navy last year; the first of eight aircraft is scheduled to enter the fleet in 2013.
