DAYTON, Ohio, May 13 (UPI) -- The U.S. Air Force, which spent $4.7 billion for jet fuel last year, is researching a synthetic fuel that would eventually be used by the entire military.
The Air Force effort falls under a directive from Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld to explore alternative fuel sources. Under the plan, the Air Force has been authorized to buy 100,000 gallons of synthetic fuel, The New York Times reported.
Ground experiments are scheduled to begin in coming weeks at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base in Ohio, followed by test flights at Edwards Air Force Base in California.
The Air Force consumed 3.2 billion gallons of aviation fuel in fiscal year 2005, which was 52.5 percent of all fossil fuel used by the government.
Although the government and the military account for just 1.7 percent of national energy consumption, every increase of $10 per barrel of oil drives up Air Force fuel costs by $600 million per year.
Air Force and industry officials say oil prices above $40 to $45 per barrel make a blend with synthetic fuels a cost-effective alternative to oil-based jet fuel.
