Similar to the bio/synthetic fuel powered Air Force aircraft, the US Navy has embarked on an alternative fuels effort with its “Green Hornet.”  The Navy plans to fly the F/A-18 Super Hornet on Earth Day, April 22nd.

The “Green Hornet” was a backdrop to President Obama’s remarks at Andrews AFB (now Joint Base Andrews) on his energy policy.  During his remarks, Obama also recognized the Air Force’s efforts and the recent flight of the A-10 on biofuel.

Because the Navy operates different engines and has slightly different fuel requirements, there is not a direct application of Air Force flight test of the fuel to Navy assets; instead, the Navy must do its own tests on its aircraft.

In an apparent effort to make the Navy not seem like it was behind the power curve compared to the Air Force’s flight tests, Obama said the “Green Hornet” would be the first aircraft to go supersonic on the biofuel blend.  The A-10 is a subsonic aircraft, though the Air Force has flown a variety of aircraft, including the F-22, on alternative fuels.  While it sounds cool in a briefing, the relationship between the fuel and supersonic speeds is not entirely the drama it may appear.  (The speed of the air through the core of the engine, which is the primary place the fuel is combusted, does not change significantly merely because an aircraft exceeds the speed of sound.)

Apparently, though, the Navy gets bonus PR points for coming up with a clever name for its test aircraft.