Assessment of DoD Fuel Standardization Policies.
Abstract
Fuel is the lifeblood without which Army, Navy, Air Force, and Marine Corps weapon systems cannot function. Yet fuel is expensive, bulky, and slow to transport. It requires special procedures and equipment for acquisition, shipment, storage, and distribution. Fuel is typically the largest single logistic resource by volume required for combat operations. Almost 2 billion gallons of fuel were consumed within the U.S. Central Command's (USCENTCOM's) area of responsibility (AOR) during Operations Desert Shield and Desert Storm (ODS/S). The Department of Defense (DoD) fuel policy in effect in August of 1990 at the onset of ODS/S had been adopted in March of 1988 but was still in the middle of its scheduled phase-in. The policy specified that military units should act to minimize the number of different fuels required by U.S. forces and to take maximum advantage of locally available fuel. The objectives were to reduce the support requirements for fuels and to increase the efficiency of fuel support units and equipment, thus enhancing operational flexibility. The policy further specified that all weapons and equipment should operate acceptably on a range of fuels, including commercial fuels; that ground equipment should operate acceptably on both diesel fuels and kerosene-type jet fuels; that the use of gasoline in military equipment should be phased out by 2010; and that the primary fuel for land-based air and ground forces should be JP-8 a kerosene based jet fuel. The policy was widely interpreted as requiring the use of the single fuel, JP-8, by Army and Air Force units in combat zones. The military services agreed with the policy and were taking steps toward its implementation.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Jan 01, 1994
- Accession Number
- ADA290938
Entities
People
- Bonnie Dombey-moore
- James P. Stucker
- John F. Schank
Organizations
- RAND Corporation