Single Fuel Characteristics

Your July–August 2004 issue contains a well-written and very informative article that warrants some clarification. The article “Analyzing the Lessons of OIF Distribution” gave considerable insight on how to apply lessons learned. However, two statements in the Fuel Supply paragraph should be clarified.

The statement “. . . using a single fuel (JP8, with additives as needed) and having that fuel available in Kuwait” is questioned. JP8 already contains three mandatory additives that transform commercial ASTM Jet A–1 into JP8. No other additives have been officially approved for JP8 when it is the single fuel used on the battlefield.

The second statement in question is “Not only did the use of JP8 save lives because it is less combustible than most other fuels (which kept tanker fires to a minimum . . .).” When the single fuel concept was introduced in the late 1980s and early 1990s, the potential vulnerability of JP8 surfaced, as JP8 has a slightly lower “flash point” than conventional diesel fuel (Grade DF2). Comparative flammability testing was conducted in early 1991, using both laboratory flammability testing and ballistic testing with 20-millimeter HEIT ammunition. In comparing Jet A–1 to diesel fuel (Grade DF2) in three operational scenarios (logistics and handling, peacetime vehicular use, and combat hostilities), the tests revealed that using JP8 or Jet A–1 would create no increase in hazards during peacetime logistics and handling, a slight increase in hazards during peacetime vehicular use, and some increase in hazards during combat. This report did recommend additional full-scale testing to confirm these findings.

Maurice E. Le Pera
Harrisonburg, Virginia

 

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