Gripen fighter completes test flights using 100 percent biofuel

April 7 (UPI) -- A Gripen fighter owned by Sweden's Ministry of Defense has successfully flown using a GKN RM12 engine completely powered by renewable biofuel.

GKN Aerospace said the flight occurred late last month at Saab's facilities in Linköping, with both companies claiming the flights as the first time a single-engine fighter has flown with 100 percent biofuel.

The fuel used is named CHCJ-5 and its interchangeable with normal jet fuel, so no changes to the engine are necessary for use.

"I am proud that once again GKN Aerospace is demonstrating its pioneering role in the development of sustainable aviation, together with our partners FMV and Saab," Stefan Oscarsson, GKN Aerospace's general manager for Military Engines, said in a press release. "This demonstration flight clearly shows that biofuel can be used to power military aviation, reducing the aviation industry's carbon footprint."

GKN said its RM12 engine demonstrated good performance during the biofuel flight. GKN, Saab and FMV, Sweden's defense procurement agency, will use the flight to show the potential of biofuel for military aerospace.

GKN, a Type Certificate holder for the RM12 engine, conducted initial ground tests on the engine and fuel with an instrumented engine to monitor engine data. The engine was evaluated in flight through the use of a telemetry link.