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

UK Government opens scheme to slash manufacturers’ electricity bills
Jonathan Reynolds
UK Government opens scheme to slash manufacturers’ electricity bills
Applications for the British Industrial Competitiveness Scheme (BICS) are now open to over 10,000 manufacturing businesses.
Aerospace Defence

2 Oct 2026

UK Government proposes airline fee reforms and tougher measures on disruptive passengers
Aircraft landing at Heathrow Airport
UK Government proposes airline fee reforms and tougher measures on disruptive passengers
New aviation proposals would end charges for seating young children with accompanying adults, restrict fees for simple booking errors and strengthen airline cooperation on repeat disruptive passengers.
Aerospace

2 Oct 2026

Doncaster Sheffield Airport takes another step towards reopening with new firefighting fleet
Doncaster Sheffield Airport fire appliance
Doncaster Sheffield Airport takes another step towards reopening with new firefighting fleet
Doncaster Sheffield Airport has ordered three specialist aviation firefighting vehicles as preparations continue for its planned reopening.
Royal Navy tests autonomous systems against threats to critical underwater infrastructure
Exercise Repmus 2026 in Portugal
Royal Navy tests autonomous systems against threats to critical underwater infrastructure
The Royal Navy used NATO's REPMUS exercise in Portugal to evaluate autonomous vessels, underwater gliders and other emerging capabilities designed to detect underwater threats and protect critical infrastructure.
Defence

2 Oct 2026

UK targets 30% rise in RAF A400M availability under £190m Airbus deal
Pictured here is an Royal Air Force A400M Atlas flying thought the machloop in Wales on the 21st November 2024.
UK targets 30% rise in RAF A400M availability under £190m Airbus deal
A £190m Airbus support deal will target a 30% increase in RAF A400M availability while sustaining more than 350 UK jobs through April 2029.
Defence

2 Oct 2026

UK Government opens scheme to slash manufacturers’ electricity bills
Jonathan Reynolds
UK Government opens scheme to slash manufacturers’ electricity bills
Applications for the British Industrial Competitiveness Scheme (BICS) are now open to over 10,000 manufacturing businesses.
Aerospace Defence

2 Oct 2026

SatVu’s HotSat-3 launches on SpaceX mission to double thermal satellite capacity
SAtVu HotSat
SatVu’s HotSat-3 launches on SpaceX mission to double thermal satellite capacity
SatVu has launched HotSat-3 aboard SpaceX’s Transporter-18 rideshare mission, adding capacity for high-resolution thermal intelligence from space.
Member News Space

2 Oct 2026

Orbex’s UK manufacturing assets and IP acquired by Omnidea
Omnidea engineering testing platform
Orbex’s UK manufacturing assets and IP acquired by Omnidea
Portugal's Omnidea has purchased the manufacturing assets and intellectual property (IP) of British rocket manufacturer Orbex UK, which ceased operations in February this year and went into administration.
Member News Space

2 Oct 2026

Filtronic wins SpaceX contract to support Starlink network
ground station
Filtronic wins SpaceX contract to support Starlink network
Sedgefield headquartered Filtronic has won a $68.1 million (£51.52m) order from SpaceX to support its Starlink network, highlighting the growing global demand for UK-developed space technology.
Member News Space

1 Oct 2026

Cohort appoints Richard Mills as Group Strategy Director
Richard Mills
Cohort appoints Richard Mills as Group Strategy Director
Former Boeing executive Richard Mills will lead the growth strategy of Cohort and its seven subsidiaries which specialise in defence and security technology across the UK, Germany, Portugal and Australia.
BAE Systems proves complete counter-drone kill chain in Scotland trials
Container and Sensor
BAE Systems proves complete counter-drone kill chain in Scotland trials
BAE Systems has demonstrated its complete BATS counter-drone chain in Scotland, integrating sensors, electronic warfare and a gun system.
Security

1 Oct 2026

Doncaster Sheffield Airport takes another step towards reopening with new firefighting fleet
Doncaster Sheffield Airport fire appliance
Doncaster Sheffield Airport takes another step towards reopening with new firefighting fleet
Doncaster Sheffield Airport has ordered three specialist aviation firefighting vehicles as preparations continue for its planned reopening.