Glasgow Prestwick Airport has expanded its military aviation support infrastructure with the introduction of a new JP8 fuel mixing capability, strengthening its role as a key hub for NATO and allied air operations in the North Atlantic region.
Prestwick Aviation Services, working with Air BP and North Air, has invested in a bespoke AL48 refuelling mixing unit that enables the supply of F-34 or JP8 aviation fuel with Fuel System Icing Inhibitor. The capability allows fuel to be conditioned on site to meet the specific technical requirements of modern military aircraft operating in cold, high-altitude or long-range environments.
According to the airport, the system has already been used in support of KC-135 aerial refuelling aircraft, with operations delivering up to 150,000 pounds of JP8 fuel during recent training and operational activity. The addition is intended to ensure compatibility with a wide range of NATO and partner airframes, particularly those requiring FSII-treated fuel as standard.
Prestwick Aviation Services said the investment reflects a broader effort to align infrastructure with mission-critical military needs, including resilience against fuel icing and microbial growth, both of which can affect aircraft operating across diverse climatic conditions. The airport has positioned the upgrade as part of a wider programme of infrastructure improvements aimed at supporting defence, strategic airlift and assured access for allied forces.
Prestwick’s geographic location on Scotland’s west coast continues to make it a regular stop for US and allied aircraft transiting between North America and Europe. The airport has increasingly pushed its ability to support military and government users alongside commercial operations, highlighting tailored fuel services, apron capacity and rapid turnaround for large aircraft. Prestwick has framed the new capability as reinforcing its long-standing role as a dependable operating base for defence aviation.
Oooh, I got all excited there for a bit, It’s a long way to fill up my Cerbera !!!
( I know none of you will have a clue what I’m on about but TVR called their V8 A JP V8, so I saw JP8 and my mind did the rest).
Happy Wednesday to you all.
That’s good news, filling up our aircraft with Jet A1 was a pain as after they would be restricted to using only F34/JP8 for a period after.
Is the tank dip tested to lift the fill grade restrictions?
Or is it just done on the volumes and therefore dilution factors?
My god you have an interesting life !!! 😂
(Hit me, It’s ok)
Its ironic how all the things the SNP keeps bailing out (Prestwick, Ferguson, BiFab) all then require military programs to stay afloat yet the SNP refuses to invest in military suppliers due to its student politics ethos.
Prestwick is a disaster as a commercial airport but its an amazingly useful as a secondary airbase, logistics hub and aerospace manufacturing center.