The Air Force plans to fly for the first time a B-52 bomber powered by a mix of synthetic and standard JP-8 aviation fuel on Sept. 19. The service already plans to purchase 100 million gallons of synthetic fuel over the next year and has set its sights on achieving a 50 percent reduction in its use of standard aviation fuel by 2016. Ground tests have demonstrated that the synthetic fuel does not affect engine performance, so the Air Force expects the BUFF to fly.
Lt. Gen. Dan Caine, nominee to be chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, told the Senate Armed Services Committee that the Defense Department needs to upgrade its electronic warfare capability and its EW training ranges; just as his predecessor said at his own confirmation hearing.