Navy to test camelina-based fuel

BOZEMAN, Mo., Sept. 10 (UPI) -- Alternative fuel developer Sustainable Oils has been contracted to supply the Naval Air Systems Command with its camelina-based jet fuel for testing.

Montana-based Sustainable Oils was awarded the contract from the Defense Energy Support Center. Under the deal, Sustainable Oils will deliver 40,000 gallons of camelina-based jet fuel to the Navy for a certification program evaluating the efficacy of alternative fuels.

Defense Energy Support Center selected to test camelina fuel, a plant-based alternative fuel that has drawn increased attention because it does not compete with food crops, as part of an ongoing effort to develop technologies for future energy security.

"This is a substantial endorsement of the years of research and development Sustainable Oils has been doing to improve camelina as a next generation feedstock," Scott Johnson, Sustainable Oils president, said in a statement.

"Our camelina-based biojet fuel has already performed as well its petroleum counterparts in aviation tests involving a Boeing 747-300. We're expecting similar performance with different, and even more demanding aircraft."