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 U.S. military is maintaining a beefed-up presence in the Middle East, including fighters and air defense assets, following the U.S. strikes on Iranian nuclear facilities June 22 and subsequent retaliation by the Iranians against Al Udeid Air Base in Qatar.
