THE POTENTIAL ROLE OF TECHNOLOGICAL MODIFICATIONS AND ALTERNATIVE FUELS IN ALLEVIATING AIR FORCE ENERGY PROBLEMS

This report examines short- and long-term measures to reduce the consumption of petroleum jet fuels by the Air Force. Engine retrofits and aerodynamic modifications to existing aircraft can save significant quantities of jet fuel; however, savings in fuel expenditures are not enough to offset high initial costs of engine retrofits. If accomplished early in an aircraft's life cycle, relatively lower costs of modest aerodynamic modifications may be recoverable through savings in fuel expenditures. Synthetic JP fuels derived from oil shale or coal appear to be the most attractive future alternatives to petroleum jet fuels. If the foreign oil cartel maintains its price-setting effectiveness and synthetic fuels industry develops in the United States, development of an Air Force capability to interchangeable use fuels derived from crude oil, oil shale, or coal could be economically attractive and enhance the Air Force's position in the jet fuel marketplace. (Author)

• Corporate Authors:

  RAND Corporation

  1776 Main Street, P.O. Box 2138
  Santa Monica, CA  United States  90407-2138
• Authors:
  • Gebman, J R
  • Stanley, W L
  • Weyant, J P
  • Mikolowsky, W T
• Publication Date: 1976-12

Media Info

• Pagination: 168 p.

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Aircraft; Alternatives analysis; Aviation fuels; Coal; Costs; Energy conservation; Engines; Fuel consumption; Jet engine fuels; Jet engines; Materials; Oil shales; Planning; Retrofitting; Synthetic fuels; Synthetics; Vehicle design
• Identifier Terms: United States Air Force
• Uncontrolled Terms: Aircraft engines; Modifications
• Old TRIS Terms: Air force planning; Energy management; Engine design; Modification kits
• Subject Areas: Aviation; Design; Energy; Environment; Finance; Materials; Planning and Forecasting; Vehicles and Equipment;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00159078
• Record Type: Publication
• Source Agency: National Technical Information Service
• Report/Paper Numbers: R-1829-PR Intrm Rpt.
• Contract Numbers: F49620-77-C-0023
• Files: TRIS
• Created Date: Aug 31 1978 12:00AM