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# How the Air Force got smarter about its aviation fuel use in 2018

By Corrie PolandAir Force Operational Energy (SAF/IEN)

                PENTAGON, Va.  –              

## Established a fuel data collection strategy across the Force to pinpoint inefficiencies and analyze consumption trends 

## Incorporated operational energy into wargaming

## Identified efficiency best practices for the C-17A fleet

                              - Efficiency best practices for C-17A operations
                              - Operational fuel efficiency assessments for the C-17A and recommendations on efficiency opportunities across the fleet
                              - A reference point for aviation energy awareness and culture in the C-17A community 

The EATF is scheduled to complete the next Line Operations Efficiency Analysis on the KC-135 fleet in 2019.

## Inserted operational energy lesson plans into Air Force Institute of Technology (AFIT) programs

In 2018, Air Force Operational Energy funded the development of two graduate courses at the Air Force Institute of Technology (AFIT), Department of Systems Engineering and Management. The two courses, Aviation Energy Systems Engineering and Contingency Base Energy Systems Engineering, will be offered for the first time in the spring of 2019. The collaborative effort to develop these courses has ensured that operational energy is at the center of lectures and research efforts, and is a significant step toward the office’s goal of educating the Force and building an operational energy-aware culture.

## Introduced light-weight parts into operations to reduce aircraft weight

Justin Smoak, Samson Rope application engineering manager, right, shows Roberto Guerrero, Deputy Assistant Secretary of the Air Force for Operational Energy, left, and Ed Clark, AFRL aircraft programs support contractor with Concurrent Technologies Corporation, the weaving of the synthetic winch cable, Sept. 6, 2017, at Dover Air Force Base, Del. The 280-foot synthetic winch cable weighs 14 pounds and is 83 percent lighter than the current 80-pound steel wire cable. (U.S. Air Force photo by Roland Balik) Aircraft weight is a key aspect of fuel burn, so the heavier the aircraft, the more fuel it takes to fly it. Air Force Operational Energy is exploring a number of avenues to reduce weight, and therefore fuel burn, on aircraft.In 2018, the office initiated a project to replace heavy metal chains with lightweight synthetic tiedowns and winch cables on the C-17, reducing aircraft weight by approximately 1,000 pounds per aircraft. The synthetic cables and tiedowns are just as strong as the metal chains they are replacing, far easier to handle (reducing load time and workload), while also being safer for Airmen as they are less likely to recoil dangerously. The cable is now cataloged as a part number and has transitioned to fleet use, while the tiedowns are in the final phases of development before fielding.Another Air Force Operational Energy project has worked to replace legacy aluminum honeycomb air inlets with lightweight composite RAM Air Inlet system for the C-5M Super Galaxy, which are 19 percent lighter and cost almost $100,000 less per part to manufacture. The composite parts have met all tests for strength and durability, and have a greater corrosion resistance, increasing part life and aircraft availability while reducing maintenance costs. The new inlets have transitioned to operational use and will replace the aluminum parts on an attrition basis.

## Updated max range airspeed policy resulting in optimized operations

Due to an optimization initiative led by Air Force Operational Energy, policy has been put into place that directs planners to plan airspeeds for 5th generation fighter Coronet missions at closer to maximum range airspeed. The faster speed decreases overall fuel consumption by about 6 percent, and reduces flight hours by about 10 percent.  After a successful demonstration with F-22s at the end 2017, the office continued working with ACC and AMC in 2018 to formalize the procedures and expanded them to include the F-35.Read the full story here.Air Force Operational Energy seeks to connect Airmen with technology, data, and innovative thinking to develop and champion energy-informed solutions across the Air Force. For more information and news visit: www.safie.hq.af.mil/OpEnergy, www.Twitter.com/AFEnergy, and www.Facebook.com/AirForceEnergy.*Editor's note: The original story can be viewed on the Air Force Installations, Environment and Energy website.*

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Environment and Energyenergyaviation fuelfuelAir Force Institute of TechnologyAir Force Operational EnergyAir Force Installationsfuel efficiency