EGLIN AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. – With a few snaps, turns and clicks, a new fuels innovation is sealed in place to an Air Force R-11 fuel truck. After that five-second attachment, it is ready to gather a required fuel sample for evaluation to ensure aircraft fuel is free of water or any other contamination.
This innovation, known as the single-point nozzle adapter, or SN, removes two-thirds of the time and steps required to take a fuel sample from multiple fuel sources, such as trucks and mobile stations. It also removes almost any chance of direct exposure, from spillage or spray to the hazardous chemicals that make up the fuel.
Only two of the SN prototypes exist, but thanks to the 96th Test Wing’s iSpark, Eglin will become the third base to have, not just one, but three of the $2,700 adapters. This SN innovation is the idea of Tech. Sgt. Collin Stratton, a fuels support NCO-in-charge with the 96th Logistics Readiness Squadron.