The Air Force Advanced Power Technology Office at Robins AFB, Ga., is working with Ohio-based Battelle on the use of a hydrogen fuel cell to power such things as bare base airfield lights and light carts, or anything that currently uses a portable diesel generator. A recent test showed that a hydrogen fuel cell would power halogen light units without producing harmful emissions or a foul odor and with little noise. The same equipment powered by a diesel generator produced toxic emissions, a powerful stench, and a lot of noise. However, hampering full use of the hydrogen fuel cell is a lack of synthetic fuel; instead Battelle says it will take another 18 months of development to reduce the sulfur created by using JP-8 jet fuel. Once that is done, the system will be ready for military use with readily available JP-8.
The last remaining T-1 Jayhawk at JBSA-Randolph, Texas, took its final flight to the "Boneyard" at Davis-Monthan Air Force Base, Ariz., on July 15. The 99th Flying Training Squadron will train pilots using T-6 and simulator until it gets T-7 Red Hawk in fiscal 2026.