General Atomics

Lockheed Martin approves use of SATF for F-35s

Lockheed Martin has approved the use of Synthetic Aviation Turbine Fuels (SATF) in the F-35 Lightning II, with the new fuel sources boosting readiness by reducing reliance on the extended supply chain.

Image courtesy Lockheed Martin

Chauncey McIntosh, vice president and general manager of the F-35 programme at Lockheed Martin said: “Lockheed Martin is committed to ensuring the F-35 is always ready for any customer mission.

“Adding new fuel sources helps make this happen by diversifying the supply chain while maintaining operational excellence. As the cornerstone of the joint fleet, the F-35 will continue to lead the US and allied air dominance mission for decades to come."

The approval allows F-35s to operate with synthetic blends at currently approved limits of up to 50%, depending on the type of raw materials and production pathway, combined with conventional jet fuel.

Lockheed Martin completed comprehensive technical and strategic analysis to ensure SATF meets the strict performance and reliability standards required for the F-35’s complex, high-demand missions.
    
The integration of SATF also supports the US Department of Defense’s objectives for energy substitution and diversification while enhancing energy resilience and operational flexibility.

SATFs are derived from various raw materials, including fossil-based sources such as coal and natural gas, as well as renewable or sustainable sources like waste oils, agricultural residues and other non-fossil-based sources.

More than 1,100 F-35s are currently operational around the globe and the fleet has surpassed 971,700 flight hours. F-35s operate from 33 bases worldwide, including 10 nations operating on home soil.

Related

Farnborough day two deals deliver £2.6bn for UK industry
Farnborough international airshow 2026 day 2 deal value
Farnborough day two deals deliver £2.6bn for UK industry
A further £16.4bn of deals were announced during the second day of Farnborough International Airshow 2026, including firm orders expected to generate £2.6bn for the UK aerospace industry.
HAKI Safety appoints Marc Green as Sales Director for Semmco Group and Newbow Aerospace
Marc Green
HAKI Safety appoints Marc Green as Sales Director for Semmco Group and Newbow Aerospace
The acquisition of Newbow Aerospace and its aviation ground support equipment, tooling and instrumentation added to HAKI Safety's solutions for aviation workplaces, while complementing the Group's aircraft maintenance platforms under the Semmco brand.
Aerospace Member News

21 Jul 2026

Airbus Wing of Tomorrow enters 3-year flight testing for next-generation aircraft
Airbus Wing of Tomorrow
Airbus Wing of Tomorrow enters 3-year flight testing for next-generation aircraft
Airbus is launching a 3-year flight testing campaign of its UK-built Wing of Tomorrow, advancing more efficient next-generation single-aisle aircraft.
Aerospace Most Read

21 Jul 2026

Farnborough day two deals deliver £2.6bn for UK industry
Farnborough international airshow 2026 day 2 deal value
Farnborough day two deals deliver £2.6bn for UK industry
A further £16.4bn of deals were announced during the second day of Farnborough International Airshow 2026, including firm orders expected to generate £2.6bn for the UK aerospace industry.
GKN Aerospace and Pratt & Whitney to explore additive manufacturing for F135 engine
GKN Material Solutions
GKN Aerospace and Pratt & Whitney to explore additive manufacturing for F135 engine
RTX’s Pratt & Whitney and GKN Aerospace have signed a Technology Development Agreement to jointly explore the use of additive manufacturing for large structural components for the F135 engine, which powers the F‑35 Lightning II.
Defence Member News

21 Jul 2026

Raytheon unveils Red Kite sovereign precision weapon for the RAF
Raytheon Red Kite
Raytheon unveils Red Kite sovereign precision weapon for the RAF
Why Raytheon has unveiled a soverign British version of its Small Diameter Bomb to meet the requirements of the Royal Air Force.
Defence Most Read

21 Jul 2026

Farnborough day two deals deliver £2.6bn for UK industry
Farnborough international airshow 2026 day 2 deal value
Farnborough day two deals deliver £2.6bn for UK industry
A further £16.4bn of deals were announced during the second day of Farnborough International Airshow 2026, including firm orders expected to generate £2.6bn for the UK aerospace industry.
“We will do it together”: Prime Minister Andy Burnham delivers message to Farnborough International Airshow attendees
Andy-Burnham-Portrait
“We will do it together”: Prime Minister Andy Burnham delivers message to Farnborough International Airshow attendees
Burnham was appointed Prime Minister of the United Kingdom on 20 July, day one of the world’s largest international airshow
UK invests in homegrown space tech to boost national resilience
Satellite in orbit by uk space agency
UK invests in homegrown space tech to boost national resilience
Unveiled at the Farnborough International Airshow, the funding will support satellite communications, space security and emerging technologies as the UK seeks to strengthen its resilience and reduce reliance on overseas capabilities.
Security Space

21 Jul 2026

UK invests in homegrown space tech to boost national resilience
Satellite in orbit by uk space agency
UK invests in homegrown space tech to boost national resilience
Unveiled at the Farnborough International Airshow, the funding will support satellite communications, space security and emerging technologies as the UK seeks to strengthen its resilience and reduce reliance on overseas capabilities.
Security Space

21 Jul 2026

NPAS orders two more Airbus H135s as fleet renewal grows to nine
NPAS orders two more H135s
NPAS orders two more Airbus H135s as fleet renewal grows to nine
The aircraft will be customised at Airbus Helicopters’ Oxford facility and equipped with new Helionix avionics before entering police service.
Security

20 Jul 2026

Critical UK sectors targeted by Russian cyber actors
A hacker at a computer as government urges organisations to improve cyber security
Critical UK sectors targeted by Russian cyber actors
A new advisory has been issued by the National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) and international partner agencies, urging the UK and its allies to defend against Russian state cyber actors’ global exploitation of poorly configured routers, as the UK sanctions Russian state and criminal networks for cyber and hybrid operations and calls out the FSB for a reckless attack on Poland’s energy grid.
Security

17 Jul 2026