The Royal Air Force is ensuring Britain is secure in a more sustainable manner by using a blend of sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) with normal jet fuel on routine operations for the first time.
Aircraft including Typhoon and Poseidon submarine hunters, operating from RAF Lossiemouth in Scotland, have been using a blend of conventional and SAF in a first for the air force as they take to the skies to defend the UK and allies.
From November 2023 to February 2024 four million litres of blended sustainable aviation fuel were delivered to the Royal Air Force through a contract with World Fuel Services. A further five million one hundred and fifty thousand litres of fuel are being delivered over the period July to October 2024.
The fuel is used to power aircraft operating from Lossiemouth in Morayshire, northern Scotland. RAF Lossiemouth is one of the UK’s busiest RAF stations and is home to Typhoon aircraft that are ready to deploy 24/7, 365 as part of the UK’s Quick Reaction Alert – keeping Britain secure.
The Defence Minster Lord Vernon Coaker said “The pioneering use of sustainable fuels on routine operations shows how we’re delivering on our priority to keep Britain secure without compromise while addressing our carbon footprint.”
Sustainable fuel sources include hydrogenated fats and oils, wood waste, alcohols, sugars, household waste, biomass and algae. As aviation currently accounts for nearly two-thirds of fuel used across defence, this first for the RAF demonstrates the Ministry of Defence’s commitment to reduce carbon emissions with no compromise to national security.
In 2020, the Ministry of Defence updated aviation fuel standards to allow up to 50% sustainable sources to be used in fuel mixes for defence aircraft. Using blended SAF can cut aircraft carbon emissions by up to 80% and it is a significant step towards bolstering both operational capability and climate change and sustainability efforts.
“We remain at the forefront of this important work with industry partners, and introducing sustainable aviation fuel to one of our busiest stations demonstrates our commitment, bringing defence and industry together to reduce our carbon footprint.” Said Air Vice-Marshal Shaun Harris, Director of Support. “As well as contributing to reducing carbon emissions as part of the Defence Aviation Net Zero Strategy*, our ability to use new fuels ensures that the Royal Air Force can continue to operate anywhere we are needed globally.
Group Captain Sarah Brewin, Station Commander, RAF Lossiemouth added "The use of sustainable aviation fuel represents a significant milestone in the RAF’s journey towards helping mitigate against climate change. By integrating sustainable practices into our operations, we are not only enhancing our ability to protect the nation and deliver excellence on operations but also contributing to a more sustainable future for generations to come."
The RAF has been trialling different types of fuel since the update to fuel standards. In November 2021, an RAF pilot flew a microlight aircraft powered by synthetic fuel created from air and water in a world first. In Spring 2022, a drone was flown on synthetic kerosene made by genetically modified bacteria and the RAF tested an electric aircraft flown at RAF Cranwell.
In November 2022, an RAF Voyager successfully trialled the use of 100% sustainable aviation fuel, flying for 90 minutes from RAF Brize Norton – a world first for a wide-bodied military aircraft, a joint endeavour between the RAF, DE&S and industry partners Airbus, AirTanker and Rolls-Royce, with the fuel supplied by Air bp.
In 2023, the Royal Air Force successfully used SAF to achieve the first SAF blend air-to-air refuelling of a Typhoon and C-130 Hercules aircraft. This was followed by the RAF’s display typhoon being powered on blended SAF at this year’s Royal International Air Tattoo, the first time this aircraft has been displayed to the public on this fuel.
This work has helped to pave the way for the use of sustainable aviation fuels in the commercial sector, including a Government-funded transatlantic flight by Virgin Atlantic last year.
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