Apr 21 1977
From The Space Library
The USAF reported it had begun joint research with LeRC on use of synthetic fuels in military and commercial jet aircraft, which currently accounted for about 8% of the nation's petroleum consumption. The proposed 10yr study, costing $8 million, would look into the refining required to use as fuel liquids derived from coal or oil shale.
The USAF energy conservation effort arose from increasing fuel costs, which more than tripled for military jets alone in the last 18mo. NASA and the USAF had contracted with Exxon Corp. to define chemical and physical properties of coal and oil shale synthetic crudes compared to fuels derived from petroleum. Usability of the crudes would depend on their adaptability to existing engine and component requirements and on the environmental impact of such fuels. Processing (mostly hydrogenation) of the synfuels would be costly but could be affected by more specific data on engine and fuel system needs. Saving only 1 c per gallon would save the USAF alone more than $50 million a year, the report said. (USAF Release OIP 070.75)
Columnist Jack Anderson reported in Today that a Senate sub- committee had asked the Pentagon for military equipment, including planes, radar, sensors, and satellites, to be used in the "battle against drug abuse." Senators Sam Nunn (D-Ga.) and Charles Percy (R-Ill.) had sent a private letter to Defense Secy. Harold Brown saying that drug abuse was costing the U.S. $17 billion a yr and that more than 5000 Americans were dying each yr from drug abuse. DOD alone had the vehicles needed to pursue and overtake the drug traffickers, the senators said, calling the fight against drugs a "war." "When fighting a war," they added, "you use the best resources available and make every effort to win. This is of being done." A spokesman for the Pentagon said an answer was being prepared. (Today, Apr 21/77, 16A)
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