Military Forces Accelerate Development of Sustainable Aviation Fuel
Driven by rapid global technological advancements and evolving warfare dynamics, multiple nations have launched military energy strategy transformations. A key focus is the exploration, development, and utilization of Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF). Currently, militaries worldwide are collaborating with commercial sectors to trial SAF.
Ongoing conflicts globally underscore the risks of single-energy dependence. SAF development is seen as crucial for achieving military energy independence. However, widespread SAF adoption across militaries faces significant hurdles due to technological limitations and high costs.
Military aircraft require reliable fuel sources for effective mission execution. SAF, derived from diverse renewable sources like used cooking oil, municipal waste, energy crops, or synthetic fuels made from captured CO₂ (from air or industrial emissions), offers a solution. Compared to conventional jet fuel, SAF can reduce lifecycle carbon emissions by up to 80% and enhance fuel supply resilience.
Nations are ramping up SAF R&D and testing it on military aircraft. Existing SAF blends can mix seamlessly with conventional kerosene at up to 50% ratios, requiring no aircraft or engine modifications and posing no adverse operational or maintenance impacts.
The US Push
The US spends heavily on aviation fuel and related logistics. Over-reliance on foreign fuel during overseas operations is viewed as a threat to economic security and mission efficiency. Fuel price volatility also disrupts budgets, potentially requiring additional congressional funding or diverting resources from training and procurement. The US seeks to reduce this dependence.
The National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2023 mandates the Pentagon to establish at least one refinery producing a 10% SAF blend by 2028. The military funds "Twelve," a company producing jet fuel from CO₂, and partners with a Brooklyn-based firm on carbon conversion tech for commercial and military fuel. Both aim to scale up to 50% SAF blends.
In January, Lockheed Martin announced plans to test synthetic fuel on F-35 fighters, potentially using blends up to 50% SAF depending on feedstock and production methods. The US military has progressed from 1st-gen (biodiesel, bioethanol) and 2nd-gen (cellulosic) biofuels to 3rd-gen algae-based fuels, now used on fighters and helicopters.
UK Accelerates Testing
The UK leads in military SAF development. In 2020, its Ministry of Defence updated standards to permit SAF use on military aircraft. The subsequent "Jet Zero Strategy" aims for 10% SAF in aviation fuel by 2030, supported by 5 planned SAF plants. The Royal Air Force (RAF) has been trialing SAF blends.
In November 2022, the RAF, with Airbus, conducted the first 100% SAF flight test using a Voyager aircraft (an A330 derivative). The flight included an air-to-air refueling operation.
During the 2024 Royal International Air Tattoo (RIAT), a Typhoon fighter flew an 8-minute display using a 35% SAF blend. At the RAF's June 2024 flypast, the Red Arrows aerobatic team used SAF for the first time in a display, primarily utilizing renewable biofuel chemically similar to their standard diesel smoke oil. At RIAT 2024 (July 18-20), both the Red Arrows and Typhoon display teams again used SAF for their performances, including formation flying.
France Boosts Production
France is also increasing its military SAF efforts. In February 2023, an NH-90 helicopter successfully completed its first flight test using SAF. Conducted by the French Armed Forces with Safran, TotalEnergies, and Airbus, the test used SAF in one of the helicopter's two RTM322 turboshaft engines without modifications. The SAF was produced by TotalEnergies from used cooking oil via the Hydroprocessed Esters and Fatty Acids (HEFA) process.
Earlier, President Macron announced a €200 million (~$230 million) investment during a visit to Safran's Villaroche facility to build a SAF plant, boosting production. French defense companies, including Safran, are now validating and assessing 100% SAF operations.
Future Challenges
Military-commercial SAF partnerships can reduce fossil fuel dependence, improve energy efficiency, and support nations' COP26 net-zero carbon emissions commitments by 2050. However, widespread military adoption faces significant obstacles:
Production Scale: Current SAF production (hundreds of thousands of tons) is a tiny fraction of global aviation fuel demand. Scaling to the millions of tons needed for military aviation presents a massive gap. Achieving large-scale production is a critical challenge.
Cost: SAF is estimated to cost about 2.5 times more than conventional fuel. Large-scale military adoption would incur enormous costs for R&D, procurement, and infrastructure modifications. Willingness to bear these high costs is uncertain. Furthermore, scaling SAF production requires significant refinery adjustments, potentially facing resistance from stakeholders. The industry's ability to attract sufficient investment remains unknown.