Air Force Energy Program

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Last month, our Air Force Operational Energy team was excited to join leaders from across government, industry, and academia at the 2025 AIAA Aviation Forum. We participated in three sessions exploring two critical topics: the transformative potential of the Blended Wing Body aircraft and advancing operational energy resilience in military aviation.

These discussions are essential to driving forward-thinking solutions that enhance combat capability and mission readiness across the force.

A sincere thank you to AIAA - The American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics for hosting an impactful event, and to our co-panelists from JetZero, Delta Air Lines, United, Scaled Composites, LLC, Northrop Grumman Corporation, Office of the Under Secretary of Defense of Research and Engineering, and the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign for sharing your insights and expertise. Together, we’re shaping the future of airpower! ✈

Air Force Operational Energy is proud to support continued investment in drag-reduction technologies that improve aircraft performance and extend mission capability.

The 417th Flight Test Squadron at Eglin Air Force Base recently began flight testing to determine airworthiness of the Finlet drag reduction device on the MC-130J. Finlets may be small, but their impact is anything but. These modifications could translate directly into increased range, endurance, and flexibility in contested environments.

The multi-year initiative to bring Finlet technology to the flightline is the result of a partnership with the Air Force Operational Energy Office, Air Force Special Operations Command, the Special Operations Forces/Personnel Recovery Program Office, the Air Force Research Lab Energy Office and the Defense Innovation Unit. This effort represents a critical step forward in making the Department of the Air Force more agile, energy-optimized, and combat capable.

Read more: https://www.eglin.af.mil/News/Article-Display/Article/4250112/sleeker-skies-mc-130j-tests-new-aerodynamic-enhancements

Education on the critical functions of Operational Energy for strategic security and readiness across the total force is a core priority at Air Force Operational Energy. We collaborate with institutions like the Air Force Institute of Technology (AFIT), which provides opportunities for AFIT students to apply their skills and education to solving research problems related to Operational Energy.

Each May, we receive research briefs from Advanced Study of Air Mobility (ASAM) students on relevant topics. Our team had the pleasure of meeting with Field Grade Officers and career mobility pilots as they presented their research topics.

Maj. Sean Boyington presented research on airlift planning optimization, introducing a cargo aggregation heuristic tool that analyzed processes and procedures that if implemented would maximize combat load capacity and streamline aircraft routing to increase transport efficiency. His approach supports faster, more cost-effective and more agile operations across a dispersed battlespace.

Maj. Matthew Buford explored the feasibility of using commercially available jet fuel with additives as DoD’s primary battlefield fuel. His analysis supports tactical flexibility and supply chain resilience in contested or austere environments.

We’d like to thank Maj Boyington and Maj Buford for their excellent briefings! These future leaders are tackling real-world energy challenges to enhance agility, efficiency, and mission readiness across the DoD.

AFIT research activities deliver dual purpose results: valuable educational experiences to enhance our graduates’ performance throughout their careers, and innovative solutions of importance to the Department of Defense, Air, and Space Forces.

If interested in additional AFIT research, the D’Azzo Research Library contains more than one million items as the third largest research library in the Air Force: https://www.afit.edu/library/

We are thrilled to share this major milestone!

Driving energy resilience and energy security is more critical now than ever. The Department of the Air Force and Defense Logistics Agency (DLA) are thrilled to announce the official Notice of Intent to Award to Oklo to support the DAF Microreactor Pilot at the preferred location Eielson Air Force Base. Want to learn more about microreactors? www.eielson.af.mil/microreactor/

(USAF Graphic by Secretary of the Air Force Public Affairs)

Our own Mr. Guerrero, Deputy Assistant Secretary for Operational Energy, Safety & Occupational Health, was honored to serve as the keynote speaker for the United States Air Force Academy 29th Annual Dean’s Research Awards. The event, hosted by Dean of Faculty Brigadier General Letendre, celebrated the academic and research achievements of USAFA Faculty and Cadets.

In his remarks, Mr. Guerrero highlighted the importance of interdisciplinary research that will compel decision makers to anticipate and meet the evolving threats of modern warfare across the globe. Additionally, he gave accolades to three cadets who interned with Air Force Operational Energy this past summe

“I urge you to take bold, calculated risks in your research, studies and future leadership roles,” Guerrero noted. “Push boundaries, challenge norms, and seek interdisciplinary solutions. Your willingness to innovate will be pivotal in shaping the future of our Air Force.”

Our office would like to again thank the USAFA Office of Research for allowing our team to take part in such a special ceremony! We look forward to welcoming future generations of leaders to the fight.

Our team collaborates with private industry and other organizations across the Department of the Air Force to increase combat capability by rapidly fielding innovative technology to modernize our aircraft fleet by making it more aerodynamic and offer greater mission capability. Riblets, for example, are an adhesive film inspired by shark skin. When applied to the aircraft, it reduces surface drag by up to 4%. We're currently partnering with AFSOC, AFRL and DIU to test riblets and aft body drag reduction devices for the C-130 fleet, expecting a 6-8% drag reduction and approximately $18/M per year in fuel cost avoidance when implemented across the fleet.

Want to learn more about tech like riblets? Check out this article from Delta Airlines that highlights how drag reduction technologies can make their commercial fleet more efficient:

From the ocean to the sky: How Delta is learning from nature to drive fuel efficiency From Airbus’ fello’fly technique which takes inspiration from migrating geese to MicroTau’s ‘shark skin’ addition to planes – the airline industry continues to look to nature for innovation inspiration.

Did you know that when it comes to drag reduction, small changes can add up to maximum impact? Integrating innovative drag reduction technologies on our legacy aircraft directly benefits warfighter readiness and enhances mission capability by reducing fuel requirements and increasing aircraft range.

A team of maintainers at Bangor ANGB recently re-installed wiper blades on two KC-135 aircraft in a vertical position to begin serviceability testing of the technology for the fleet. This small shift from a horizontal to vertical resting position is projected to reduce drag by 1%, which could add up to over $6.6 million per year in fuel cost avoidance.

This initiative is a partnership between Operational Energy, Air Force Research Laboratory, and private industry. Next up, we expect to launch serviceability testing with the Utah Air National Guard and MacDill Air Force Base.

: Delta Airlines just announced a formal partnership with JetZero, committing to support the startup in developing the full-scale demonstrator Blended Wing Body aircraft by 2027. The collaboration highlights the power of public-private partnerships in driving aerospace innovation, as the BWB aircraft design is projected to be up to 50% more efficient than traditional tube-and-wing aircraft.

For the Department of the Air Force, the Blended Wing Body aircraft could offer optionality and insight into future aircraft design. The future of aviation is here!

Read more: https://news.delta.com/delta-jetzero-partner-design-future-air-travel

Exciting news! We’re entering the final phase of evaluation for Microvane drag reduction technology on the C-17 Globemaster III. Developed through a collaborative effort involving the Air Force Research Laboratory, private industry and the Air Force Lifecycle Management Center, microvanes will improve operational capabilities across the Department of the Air Force and increase the effectiveness of the USAF C-17 fleet. Read more:

Cutting-Edge Microvane Technology Ready to Modernize C-17 Fleet Air Force Operational Energy and Air Mobility Command are entering the final phase of evaluation for Microvane drag reduction technology on the C-17 Globemaster III. Developed through a collaborative

Through the Operational Energy Savings Account (OESA), Air Force Operational Energy reinvests cost savings from operational energy initiatives into cutting-edge projects that enhance operational energy resilience, efficiencies, mission assurance, energy conservation, or energy security. OESA fuels innovation while optimizing resources, making the Air Force more agile and boosting combat capability.

In FY2024, nearly $40M was allocated to transformative initiatives, including:

✅ Virtual/Augmented Reality Aircraft Maintenance Training: Increased aircraft availability by 40%, reduced classroom training time by 45%, and minimized wear and tear on equipment.

✅ B-52 Engine Covers: Prevented ice-related damage, reduced delays, and cut winter fuel usage by 50%.

✅ EARL & MAT Trainers: Enhanced aircrew training with augmented reality, saving fuel and improving mission assurance.

✅ J85 T5 System Tester: Reduced engine troubleshooting time by 30%, prevented 60 unnecessary engine removals annually, and saved $15M in fuel.

✅ F119 Project Orion: Advanced efficiency in F-22 sustainment, significantly reducing fuel costs during ground testing.

Learn more about the success of the B-52 Engine Covers:

New B-52 engine cover prototype testing protects Minot’s bomber fleet AFGSC pilots and maintainers have secured new B-52 Stratofortress engine covers that prevent icing in extreme cold thanks to support from STRIKEWERX and the AFGSC Office of the Chief Scientist.