After joining a select group of countries which have used bio-jet fuel to fly military aircrafts, the Indian Air Force (IAF) will showcase this capability over the Rajpath during the Republic Day parade. Last month, the maiden IAF flight using bio-jet fuel took off from Chandigarh. The project is a combined effort of the IAF, the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), the Directorate General Aeronautical Quality Assurance (DGAQA), and the Indian Institute of Petroleum. Following extensive evaluation, the Centre for Military Airworthiness and Certificate (CIMLAC) gave its approval to IAF to fly An-32 with bio-jet fuel.
"We have tested it successfully. Now, we want to showcase it before the entire country. An-32 transport aircraft will fly over the Rajpath with bio-jet fuel," Air Vice Marshal R.G.K. Kapoor, assistant chief of the air staff (ACAS), space and operations, said. IAF officials claim that successful trials will lead to significant reduction in India's dependency on imported crude oil. The IAF's initiative is in line with Prime Minister Narendra Modi's vision to reduce crude oil imports and dependency, to the tune of 10 per cent, by 2021.
A new formation named as Sutlej has been added in this year's fly past. Sutlej will be flying in 'vic'( three An-32 aircraft in V formation), and the lead An-32 aircraft will fly with bio-jet fuel blended with 10 per cent bio fuel in aviation turbine fuel. The aircraft with bio-fuel will be piloted by Squadron Leader Mehtab Sond of the Aircraft Systems Testing Establishment. This bio-fuel has been extracted from Jatropha plant seeds sourced from Chhattisgarh Bio-diesel Development Authority (CBDA) and processed using a technology patented by Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR), and Indian Institute of Petroleum, Dehradun.
"The life of the blend is similar to the aviation turbine fuel. We are only using it on an experimental basis. After proof of concept evaluation, we will see the effect on the aircraft and then take a decision on how to go about it. There is still a long way to go. But the start has been made," Kapoor said, adding that in future, there may be fighter jets and twin engine helicopters flying with the bio-jet fuel.
The United States air force, in 2010, had flown a fighter jet powered with bio-fuel. On the basis of its success, US Air Force is contemplating developing its aircraft fleet capable of flying on bio-jet fuel by end of 2020. By 2011, the US air force announced the certification of unlimited use of bio-fuel for C-17 Globemaster, which the IAF also operates.
While the IAF is funding the complete testing and certification programme of bio-jet fuel, it is also concerned over the availability and supply chain. According to an estimate, IAF would require over 3,000 kilo litres of bio-jet fuel annually just for operating the An-32 fleet, with a 10 per cent mix.
A total of 18 fighter jets, including including five of the upgraded MiG-29 fighters will take part in the fly past at the Republic Day parade. However, indigenously designed and developed Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) Tejas will not be part of fly past owing to a long-standing rule that bars single engine fighters from the fly past.
