Lockheed Martin Approves Synthetic Fuel Use for F-16 Fighting Falcon, C-130 Hercules

Lockheed Martin has received approval to use synthetic aviation turbine fuels (SATF) for its F-16 Fighting Falcon and C-130 Hercules aircraft.

The announcement follows earlier approval for SATF use in the F-35 Lightning II.

The move positions Lockheed Martin as a key player in supporting the U.S. Department of Defense’s energy diversification goals. By incorporating SATF blends—up to 50% depending on feedstock and production method—the aircraft can maintain full mission readiness while benefiting from reduced carbon emissions and improved fuel flexibility.

SATFs are made from a mix of fossil-based and renewable sources, such as coal, natural gas, waste oils, and agricultural byproducts. They are chemically similar to traditional jet fuel and are listed in current flight manuals, allowing aircraft to operate with these fuels without modifications.

Lockheed Martin completed technical and strategic evaluations to confirm the suitability of SATF for both the F-16 and C-130 across a range of operational environments.

The integration of SATF contributes to long-term energy resilience for military forces by lowering logistical dependency on traditional fuel supplies and enhancing sustainability efforts across the defense sector.