A plant that will produce commercial quantities of synthetic fuel is under construction in East Dubuque, Ill., USAF’s special assistant to the Assistant Secretary of the Air Force for Installations, Environment, and Logistics tells the Daily Report. Paul Bollinger said that Rentech Inc., building that plant and Baard Energy, “looking to build” a plant in Ohio, are among synthetic fuel producers that want DOD to commit to long-term contracts, which they believe would help defray plant construction costs and lower the price of the fuel. Rentech expects to open its Illinois plant in 2010—the date USAF expects to certify all types of aircraft for synfuel (see above)—and produce approximately 20,000 barrels a day. Legislation currently before Congress would make it possible for DOD to enter such contracts. For example, the Coal-to-Liquid Fuel Energy Act of 2007, co-sponsored by Sen. Barack Obama (D-Ill.) and Sen. Jim Bunning (R-Ky.), “gives the Air Force up to 25 years of contract authority,” Bollinger said.
Navy CCA Program’s Shape Coming into Focus
Oct. 17, 2025
In announcing its Navy Collaborative Combat Aircraft contract, General Atomics has provided some clues as to where the service is heading with its version of an armed, autonomous fighter escort. It will likely be quite different from the Air Force version.
