AIRCO and US Department of Defense Demonstrate CO2-Derived Fuel Across Land, Air, and Sea

Carbon conversion technology firm AIRCO has announced the successful completion of a series of demonstrations in partnership with the US Department of Defense (DoD), showcasing the operational potential of its synthetic AIRMADE Fuel across land, marine, and aerial platforms.

The demonstrations, conducted with support from the Defense Innovation Unit (DIU) and multiple military branches, highlight the strategic role carbon-based synthetic fuels could play in enhancing energy resilience for national defense.

Versatile Testing Across US Military Branches

The AIRMADE® Fuel demonstrations were coordinated in collaboration with several DoD programs, including the Army Office of the Chief of Engineers (OCE), Naval Postgraduate School’s JIFX Program, and the Air Force’s Project FIERCE. Each test was designed to validate the synthetic fuel’s performance under real-world operational conditions, and its ability to substitute traditional fossil-based fuels.

Gregory Constantine, Co-Founder and CEO of AIRCO, said, "We’re proud to announce this trio of successful AIRMADE® Fuel demonstrations, a continuation of our ongoing partnership with the U.S. Department of Defense.”

He added, "Our fast-progressing work with the Defense Innovation Unit shows that fuel derived from CO₂ is not only feasible but is on track to become essential for providing reliable and accessible operational energy anywhere in the world to support US national security objectives.”

Land-Based Demonstration at West Point

A key highlight was a ground mobility test of AIRMADE Fuel in a Polaris MRZR tactical vehicle at the US Military Academy at West Point during the Army’s Branch Week. Supported by DIU and hosted by the OCE, the vehicle operated with comparable performance to fossil diesel fuel, with the added benefit of reduced visible exhaust smoke.

The event followed a feasibility study exploring integration of AIRCO’s fuel into Army nuclear reactor energy hubs, marking a potential return of nuclear energy to the Army for the first time in five decades.

AIRMADE Fuel-powered vessels matched the performance of conventional marine fuel in two successful US Navy tests, including a six-hour endurance trial and speed and acceleration evaluations, while also showing reduced visible emissions.

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Strategic Implications for Military Energy Security

AIRCO’s successful demonstrations highlight the potential of CO₂-derived AIRMADE® Fuel to meet energy needs in remote and forward-deployed settings, offering on-site production that reduces logistics, boosts mobility, and supports energy independence for US forces. The company plans to deepen partnerships with the military and expand testing, including future air-based trials.