Air Force Research Lab officials think there may be jet fuel in a lump of coal—the problem, of course, is to get it out. AFRL hosted a meeting recently with federal, state, and industry experts to discuss how the military could turn coal into a liquid, diesel-type fuel, reports the Dayton Daily News. The ultimate goal for the Air Force would be jet fuel, and the Army is also interested in gaining a new fuel source for tanks. According to the Ohio Coal Association, what was once an expensive process now may be competitive with the price of oil.
The Air Force has finished modifying and testing the new VC-25B Bridge aircraft that will serve as a temporary Air Force One, the service announced May 1. All that’s left now is to finish painting the jet before it starts flying this summer.