Today, the department is announcing its acquisition strategy for a replacement aerial refueling tanker fleet for the aging KC-135 and KC-10 fleet, said William J. Lynn, deputy secretary of defense. He termed the search to be a « best value » competition, not one based solely on cost.
Mark Laber, left, a University of Dayton research partner, examines the expansion of aircraft seals using synthetic fuels. One of the uses of current aviation fuel is to swell seals found throughout the aircraft. (U.S. Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. Desiree N. Palacios)
Airman Magazine – Jet fuel is strange. It needs to have seemingly contradictory properties to make it useful. It can’t freeze. It can’t have a low flashpoint or easily vaporize. Yet, it must have a tremendous amount of energy for its volume and lubricate and seal fuel lines in aircraft. In the more than 30 years the Air Force has been studying its primary aircraft fuel, known as JP-8, scientists are still learning new things.
The Dragon Lady is said to be difficult to fly, but remaining for more than 12 hours in its cockpit must have been an actual ordeal…
ACCENTS, AIR FORCES, AIRCRAFT, AMERICAN, Boeing-707, Boeing-747, USAF, VH-71.
SR71 Blackbird – USAF photo by Tech SGT Michael Haggerty – Source: www.af.mil
