F-15 Goes Mach 2 On Synthetic Fuel

The US Air Force successfully completed a flight test of its experimental synthetic fuel with a fighter for the first time this week by using an F-15 Eagle. The F-15 seemed to take to the new fuel pretty well as it screamed up to Mach 2.2 during a 55 minute test flight. The Air Force has been testing the fuel on larger aircraft in their fleet including a C-17, a B-52 and even a B-1 that was the first to break the sound barrier using the 50-50 blend of synthetic fuel and JP-8. This new test was the first on a light and maneuverable fighter jet, though. The fuel is created by using the proven Fischer-Tropsch method of deriving fuel from coal which is a process the Germans used during WWII to satisfy their insatiable need for war-time fuel. While the synthetic fuel mix is marginally better on the environment than traditional fuel, the main reason the Air Force is conducting this research is to see if it can reduce their need for oil and save Uncle Sam a little money. The US Air Force is, after all, the world's largest consumer of jet fuel which is why they'd like to certify all of their aircraft on the new mix. Next up for testing is the Air Force's newest (and baddest) fighter, the F-22 Raptor, which could start as early as next week.

[Danger Room] [Photo: Op-For]

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Mini F-15 just as lethal

I laughed out loud the first time I saw this video this morning. Check out this RC (remote controlled) F-15 as it takes off in a grass field. I'm not sure if the plane goes in the wrong direction or if the crowd is in the wrong location, but either way, it gets very interesting very quickly. One guy nearly looses his head before the tiny wonder buzzes the rest of the crowd. Must have a Predator pilot at the controls. Good stuff.

On another note, it's been quite a day for videos on PointNiner.

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Boeing awarded helmet cueing system contract, killing bad guys to become easier

No this helmet is not for the pilots with enormous foreheads. 145 of the US Air Force's F-15E Strike Eagle aircraft will soon be getting an upgrade with the Boeing Joint Helmet-Mounted Cueing System after the Air Force awarded Boeing a $49.5 million contract for the devices on Monday. The JHMCS provides pilots data much like that of the Heads-Up Display, only right inside the visor of their helmet. Pairing the JHMCS with the AIM-9X sidewider missle creates the High-Off-Boresight System (HOBS) which will allow pilots to direct aircraft munitions simply by looking in the direction of the target. Sweet. The JHMCS can also be combined with FLIR or radar data for air-to-ground missions. Ultimately, Boeing and the Air Force would like to implement the system in the F-15 C/D models as well for some supreme air superiority booty-whoopin capability. Next step, mind control like in the movie Firefox.

Photo: Boeing

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