Synthetic Fuels for the Frontline: Why Twelve’s Technology is Built for Military Applications
- Policy Perspectives
- Oct 28
- 2 min read
At Twelve, we’ve long said our CO2 transformation platform is about more than aviation—it’s about versatility, resilience, and readiness. That’s why our technology is increasingly viewed not only as a commercial breakthrough, but as a strategic energy solution with clear applications for the U.S. military and allied armed forces.
A Proven Platform with Aviation Backing
Multiple aviation stakeholders have already signaled their confidence in Twelve—through direct investment, long-term offtake agreements, or both. These commitments aren’t speculative; they reflect that Twelve is delivering on real commercial milestones. We are currently building our first demonstration-scale facility, which is nearing completion, while simultaneously executing on several other major milestones across our aviation partnerships. This execution record demonstrates to military planners that our platform isn’t theoretical—it’s operational.
A Technology Unconstrained by Fragile Supply Chains
Unlike fuels dependent on agricultural feedstocks or petroleum imports, our process uses only CO2, water, and energy as inputs. That means it is not resource-constrained in times of conflict. AirPlant™TFS—our tactical fuel production system—is designed to turn those inputs into drop-in, mission-ready fuels anywhere on the planet. Whether sourced from Direct Air Capture, Direct Ocean Capture, or point-source CO2, the system runs on whatever power is available: nuclear, microgrid, or conventional grid. For the armed forces, that translates into supply security where and when it matters most.
Versatility: The Core Advantage
Twelve’s greatest value proposition is versatility. Our synthetic fuels are not one-dimensional: the same core process can produce E-Jet® for tactical aircraft, F-76 Naval Distillate Fuel for destroyers, or JP-5 jet fuel for embarked helicopters. This breadth matters. A forward-deployed TFS-20 unit can support four sorties a day; scaled systems can deliver thousands of barrels per day. Whether transported by C-17 or barge, the fuel solution moves with the mission.
Meeting the Military Resiliency Imperative
Today’s armed forces are refocusing on resiliency in critical systems. That means reducing the risk of vulnerable fuel convoys, cutting exposure of long-haul supply lines, and enabling
distributed operations. Synthetic fuels produced in-theater offer exactly that: a logistics model where energy is not hauled in, but made on-site. Autonomous-ready and low-OPEX by design, Twelve’s TFS systems can be monitored remotely across a fleet, providing commanders with real-time assurance of mission fuel readiness.
Beyond the Battlefield: Dual-Use Potential
While designed with the military in mind, these systems also carry strong dual-use potential. Civilian emergency response, remote scientific missions, and disaster relief all require compact, deployable, and flexible energy solutions. In every case, synthetic fuels produced from air and water provide operational assurance where conventional fuels cannot.
Bottom line: The same factors that have attracted commercial aviation leaders to Twelve—execution, flexibility, and innovation—are precisely the reasons our technology is so well-suited to military applications. In an era when resiliency is mission-critical, synthetic fuels that can be produced anywhere represent not just an innovation, but a strategic advantage.
