An evaluation of very large airplanes and alternative fuels. Interim report

Technical Report · Wed Dec 01 04:00:00 EST 1976

OSTI ID:7298931

Mikolowsky, W T; Noggle, L W; Hederman, W F; Horvath, R E

Very large airplanes using alternative fuels are examined in the context of existing and possible future Air Force missions. Synthetic jet fuel (JP), liquid methane, liquid hydrogen, and nuclear propulsion are the fuel alternatives selected for detailed analysis. Conceptual designs of airplanes using each of these fuels were developed and estimates were made of their lifecycle cost and life-cycle energy consumption. Mission analyses were performed to determine the effectiveness of the alternative airplanes in strategic airlift specifically and in the station-keeping role in general. Results indicate that for most military applications airplanes with gross weights in excess of one million pounds promise to be superior to any comtemporary airplanes in terms of cost-effectiveness and energy-hydrocarbon jet fuel, whether manufactured from oil shale, coal or crude oil, remains the most attractive aviation fuel for future Air Force use. Policy recommendations are made pertaining both to alternative fuels and to advanced-technology large airplanes. Future research and developments are also identified.

• Research Organization: RAND Corp., Santa Monica, CA (USA)
• OSTI ID: 7298931
• Report Number(s): AD-A-040532; R-1889-AF
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

33 ADVANCED PROPULSION SYSTEMS
330103 -- Internal Combustion Engines-- Turbine
330800* -- Emission Control-- Alternative Fuels
AIRCRAFT
ALKANES
AVIATION FUELS
COST
CRYOGENIC FLUIDS
ENERGY CONSUMPTION
ENERGY SOURCES
EVALUATION
FLUIDS
FUELS
HYDROCARBONS
HYDROGEN FUELS
JET ENGINE FUELS
LIFE-CYCLE COST
METHANE
NUCLEAR FUELS
ORGANIC COMPOUNDS
REACTOR MATERIALS
SYNTHETIC FUELS
TECHNOLOGY ASSESSMENT