UK Royal Air Force: Innovation and sustainability from 2023 you may have missed

As the year draws to an end, it’s an opportunity to look back on the work carried out by Whole Force personnel throughout 2023 and appreciate a handful of the stories that focus on innovation and sustainability that didn’t hit the headlines.

January, the Royal Air Force used sustainable aviation fuel blended with regular jet fuel to achieve the first sustainable aviation fuel blend air-to-air refuelling of a Typhoon and C-130 Hercules aircraft from an RAF Voyager. The Voyager was previously used in successful initial trials in November 2022 where it flew on 100% sustainable aviation fuel. The leftover fuel from the Voyager trial was mixed with regular fuel at around 46-48%. The RAF worked with Air BP to re-certify the fuel and achieve the required standards needed for a safe and effective mission.

In April, military leaders, academics and industry joined forces with personnel and pupils from RAF Leeming to see first-hand how the base is playing a leading role in delivering a blueprint for a greener future. Attendees were able to interact with solar, wind, kinetic energy, and model-sized hydrogen cars at the RAF eXperimental (RAFX) hub based at RAF Leeming.