Inside Look: Why AIRCO is Leading Defense Innovation in 2026

How AIRCO Became a Key Player in Defense Innovation

AIRCO has become a key player in military technology by solving one of the defense sector’s biggest challenges—fuel security. The Pentagon noticed the company’s breakthrough carbon conversion technology, which led to mutually beneficial alliances that are changing military operations in all domains.

The Rise of Carbon Conversion Technology

AIRCO began its trip to defense leadership with their AIRMADE™ Technology, a flexible carbon conversion platform that turns carbon dioxide into high-performance synthetic fuels. This breakthrough copies photosynthesis and turns CO₂ from sustainable feedstocks into carbon-negative synthetic aviation fuel.

The DIU (Defense Innovation Unit) saw the technology’s promise and awarded a contract worth up to USD 65.00 million to fund Project SynCE (Synthetic Fuels for the Contested Environment). AIRCO’s system stands out because it uses non-toxic, non-rare Earth minerals as catalysts to help the chemical reaction between CO₂ and hydrogen.

This technology stands out because it creates drop-in fuels that power military equipment without mixing with traditional fossil fuels. Thanks to this advancement, AIRCO proved that CO₂-derived synthetic fuels can power vehicles in air, land, and sea domains.

Why the Defense Sector Needs New Fuel Solutions

The Pentagon has unique energy needs as the nation’s biggest fuel consumer. The military uses about 340,000 barrels of oil daily, which makes up 1.2 percent of the nation’s energy use. This huge fuel need creates big risks in their supply chain.

Military operations rely on complex fuel networks with ships, tanker planes, and convoys that become very vulnerable in contested areas. During the peak of the Afghanistan war, attacks on fuel and water convoys led to more than 30% of casualties.

AIRCO’s technology provides an answer by letting bases make fuel on-site, even in remote forward locations. This capability changes military strategy in several ways:

• Improved Operational Flexibility: Forces can work from more bases, including allied or commercial facilities
• Less Logistical Risk: Making fuel locally protects supply chains from enemy attacks
• Better Strategic Position: Producing fuel near where it’s needed builds energy independence

AIRCO’s partnership with the defense sector keeps growing. This growth creates jobs for people who want to work where sustainability meets national security, including leadership roles in buying and growing this pioneering defense company.

Real-World Demonstrations Across Military Domains

AIRCO’s breakthrough carbon conversion technology has moved beyond laboratory theory and now shows ground military applications in every domain. Through mutually beneficial alliances with the Defense Innovation Unit (DIU) and military branches of all types, AIRCO has completed groundbreaking field tests that confirm its technology’s readiness for defense applications.

Air: Project FIERCE and Synthetic Jet Fuel

History unfolded at the Hsu STEM Range in Laurel Hill, Florida on July 27, 2022. An unmanned aircraft completed its first flight powered solely by synthetic jet fuel derived from carbon dioxide. This milestone achievement, in partnership with the Air Force’s Project FIERCE, showed that AIRCO’s AIRMADE® SAF (Sustainable Aviation Fuel) could power military aviation without blending with conventional fossil fuels.

The flight marked a revolutionary moment for military aviation fuel logistics. An Air Force energy strategist said, “Actually flying with this fuel gives us confidence that we can continue investing in this technology so that one day it will open up new operational capabilities”. This successful demonstration proved AIRCO’s expertise in supporting critical defense initiatives that strengthen America’s tactical advantage.

Land: Tactical Vehicle Trials at West Point

AIRCO displayed its CO₂-derived AIRMADE® Fuel in a Polaris MRZR tactical vehicle at the U.S. Military Academy, West Point in August 2024. The fuel performed similarly to fossil diesel during this well-attended demonstration and produced less visible smoke in the exhaust.

This soaring win built upon a major study that showed how AIRMADE® Fuel production could combine smoothly with an Army nuclear reactor energy hub. This development would mark the Department of the Army’s first return to nuclear reactor operations in 50 years.

The land demonstration emphasized the growing career opportunities in AIRCO’s defense portfolio, especially for professionals skilled in acquisition and program management. The Director of DOD Acquisition role has become crucial as AIRCO expands its military partnerships.

Sea: Naval Fuel Tests at JEB Little Creek

Two complete sea trials confirmed AIRCO’s maritime capabilities. A 5.1m SeaFox II RHIB vessel powered by AIRMADE® Fuel successfully operated for over six hours during tests at the Naval Postgraduate School’s Joint Interagency Field Experimentation program at Lake San Antonio.

The team then conducted a more thorough demonstration at Joint Expeditionary Base Little Creek in Virginia. AIRMADE® Fuel powered a 7.0m Zodiac RHIB with a 300hp Yanmar inboard diesel engine. The vessel aced its speed and acceleration tests, proving the synthetic fuel performed similarly to traditional marine diesel while producing less visible smoke.

AIRCO continues to recruit talent in defense technology fields as these successful demonstrations expand across military domains. Their growing defense sector partnerships create excellent opportunities for professionals who want meaningful careers combining sustainability and national security.

What Makes AIRMADE™ Technology Stand Out

AIRCO’s military success comes from its state-of-the-art technology platform. The platform’s unique features make it different from regular fuel alternatives. The proprietary AIRMADE™ Technology provides three key advantages that solve the most important defense challenges through innovative carbon conversion processes.

Scalable Production for Global Needs

AIRMADE™ Technology produces CO₂-derived drop-in fuels that work with existing infrastructure. This is a big deal as it means that the Department of Defense can meet its massive fuel needs—which reached USD 11.00 billion in fiscal 2022.

The technology’s modular design works both near end-users and within distribution networks. Production capabilities currently generate a few gallons per day, but forward military bases could soon operate without needing fuel resupply. This expandable solution supports new defense energy strategies and creates opportunities for professionals like the Director of DoD Acquisition—a role that connects technical innovation with defense procurement expertise.

Adaptable to Harsh and Remote Environments

AIRMADE™ system works in a variety of environments and delivers reliable fuel supply near end-users. Military operations can now run in locations that don’t deal very well with energy access, such as islands and remote outposts.

The system’s core uses a two-stage process. It first turns CO₂ and hydrogen into liquid fuel building blocks, then upgrades these intermediates through additional processing. The system needs only three resources to work: carbon dioxide, hydrogen, and electricity—all of which can come from various operational settings.

Reliable Supply Chain for Military Operations

The most important advantage for defense applications is how AIRMADE™ Technology strengthens energy independence with a disruption-resistant fuel supply. On-site fuel generation fixes a basic problem in military logistics:

• Less dependence on complex networks of drillers, refiners, and shippers
• Better resilience against supply chain disruptions in contested environments
• No need to rely on local commercial markets for fuel

AIRCO provides career opportunities at the intersection of national security and carbon technology innovation for defense professionals who want to lead green military logistics. These include specialized roles that support defense acquisition.

Strategic Partnerships and Government Validation

AIRCO leads defense breakthroughs through extensive partnerships with government and private sectors, earning validation from prestigious institutions worldwide.

Collaborations With DoD, DIU, and NASA

AIRCO maintains reliable relationships with government entities to advance its carbon conversion technologies. The company collaborates with the Defense Innovation Unit (DIU) and U.S. Department of Defense to merge fuel solutions into military operations. This partnership has enabled successful demonstrations in defense applications of all types, with support from the Army Office of the Chief of Engineers, Naval Postgraduate School’s JIFX Program, and the Air Force’s Project FIERCE.

A $69 million Series B funding round will help AIRCO expand its work with NASA and the Department of Defense on sustainable jet fuel. These partnerships create excellent career opportunities in the defense sector, including a vital role of Director of DoD Acquisition based in New Britain, Pennsylvania.

Recognition From EPA and World Economic Forum

AIRCO’s environmental stewardship earned them the prestigious Green Chemistry Challenge Award from the EPA. This achievement puts AIRCO among 133 winners selected from over 1,800 nominations since the program started. The World Economic Forum has also identified sustainable fuel technologies as most important innovations to curb climate change.

Support From Aviation Leaders Like JetBlue and Virgin Atlantic

Major airlines have validated AIRCO’s commercial success. JetBlue will purchase 25 million gallons of AIRMADE SAF between 2027 and 2032, and Virgin Atlantic plans to acquire up to 100 million gallons over ten years. Holly Boyd-Boland, Virgin Atlantic’s vice president of corporate development, stated: “We’re excited to be working with Air Company to reach our 10% SAF target by 2030”. These aviation leaders now serve as customers and corporate funding backers, solidifying AIRCO’s position as a revolutionary force in the industry.

Conclusion

AIRCO is pioneering defense breakthroughs with its revolutionary carbon conversion technology. The company’s AIRMADE™ platform tackles critical military challenges and creates a path toward sustainability. Recent demonstrations in air, land, and sea domains have proven this technology works well beyond theory.

These breakthroughs benefit the defense sector by a lot. Military forces can now produce fuel close to where they need it. Supply chains become less vulnerable because fuel no longer needs to move through hostile areas. Military operations gain more independence from external fuel sources, which builds strategic resilience.

AIRCO brings unique advantages to the table – scalability, adaptability to harsh environments, and reliable supply chains. These qualities make the company an essential partner for future military operations. The Defense Innovation Unit, Department of Defense, and NASA have validated this technology, which proves its credibility and potential.

The company keeps growing, and so do the job opportunities. People who want to make a difference in sustainability and national security find rewarding roles here. The Director of DoD Acquisition role in New Britain, Pennsylvania, is a key position right now as AIRCO builds stronger military partnerships and expands its defense applications.

Military fuel needs keep changing in today’s complex global environment. AIRCO’s trailblazing technology provides an answer that works. The company tackles immediate tactical challenges and helps build a more secure and sustainable defense infrastructure. AIRCO will shape military capabilities through 2026 and beyond with its defense breakthroughs.