RAF making 'baby steps' in using sustainable fuel to solely power its fighter jets

"Baby steps" are being made towards using sustainable fuel to solely power the RAF's Typhoon fighter jets.

The RAF has begun using a blend of sustainable fuel and jet fuel to power the aircraft which has a top speed of Mach 1.8 - an important step towards reducing the military's carbon emissions.

"We're taking baby steps as we move forward. This is the first step in a long way," said Ian Muldowney, Chief Operating Officer of BAE Systems, as he acknowledged the challenges ahead.

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The current blend of traditional jet fuel and synthetic alternatives being used by the RAF aims to lower the environmental impact of operations.

Moving to 100% sustainable fuel will require greater investment in infrastructure, according to Mr Muldowney, to balance the demands of the environment with the needed performance from the Typhoon.

Air Vice Marshal Shaun Harris, RAF Chief Engineer, explained why jet engines will not be going electric any time soon.

"Military use of sustainable aviation fuels is incredibly important," he said. "Unlike cars, for example, where you can convert your power to battery, the sort of performance that we need from particularly military combat aircraft means that we're probably not going to get there in the near future with other sources.

"So sustainable aviation fuel is the route for us to make our contribution to net zero," AVM Harris explained.

The shift towards sustainable fuel is already under way, with notable progress.

Mr Muldowney and AVM Harris spoke to BFBS Forces News at the Royal International Air Tattoo where a Royal Air Force Typhoon made history when it completed the aircraft's first public display on a sustainable fuel blend.

The Typhoon flown at RAF Fairford performed an eight-minute display on a 35% blend of sustainable and regular fuel.

The airshow's theme for 2024 was 'Pushing the Boundaries in Air and Space'.

Last year, an RAF Voyager was successfully flown solely on sustainable synthetic fuel, showcasing the practical potential of this technology, but the transition is expected to be a gradual process.

The RAF's adoption of synthetic fuel is part of a broader strategy to enhance sustainability within the military sector.

The goal is to make scenes like the one described – a jet fighter using sustainable fuel – a common occurrence in the future.