Air Force Taps Multi-Fuel Generator for Future-Proof Energy Resilience

MENLO PARK, CA – March 04, 2026 – The U.S. Department of the Air Force (DAF) is taking a significant step toward securing its energy future by partnering with Mainspring Energy to test a new class of power generation technology at Travis Air Force Base in California. The pilot project will evaluate Mainspring's innovative Linear Generator, a system capable of running on a wide array of fuels—from natural gas today to 100% hydrogen tomorrow—marking a critical move to enhance energy resilience and fortify the nation's defense infrastructure against supply chain disruptions.

The contract, announced today, places the cutting-edge generator at the heart of the Air Force's mission to ensure its installations can operate without interruption, regardless of commercial grid failures or volatile fuel markets. The demonstration at Travis AFB will meticulously assess the generator's fuel efficiency, power output, and emissions across multiple fuel types, providing crucial data for future energy strategies across the Department of Defense.

A New Doctrine for Energy Security

This initiative is not just a technology test; it's a direct implementation of a broader strategic shift within the U.S. military to view energy as a critical component of mission assurance. The pilot project directly aligns with the administration's recent directives, including Executive Orders 14154 ("Unleashing American Energy") and 14156 ("Declaring a National Energy Emergency"), which prioritize domestic energy production and supply chain security as matters of national defense.

These orders call on federal agencies, particularly the Department of Defense, to eliminate vulnerabilities in energy supply. The Air Force's reliance on a single fuel type for its on-site power generation has been identified as a significant operational risk.

"DAF's reliance on any single fuel type presents a supply chain risk," said Kirk Phillips, Director of the Air Force Office of Energy Assurance. "A generator capable of running on multiple fuel types reduces vulnerability to fluctuating fuel standards, availability, or price shifts, providing resilience without the need for costly equipment replacement."

This multi-fuel capability means that as the energy landscape evolves—whether toward hydrogen, ammonia, or advanced biofuels—the power infrastructure at military bases won't become obsolete. "This announcement demonstrates an innovative solution to a rapidly evolving energy environment," Phillips added, emphasizing that the technology supports the administration's vision "to unleash American energy and dominate for mission effectiveness across the defense enterprise." The project at Travis AFB is a tangible first step in building this future-proof energy posture.

Inside the Technology: Beyond Combustion

At the core of the Air Force's interest is Mainspring Energy's Linear Generator, a technology that represents a fundamental departure from traditional power generation. Unlike conventional engines or turbines that rely on combustion, or fuel cells that have their own operational limitations, the Linear Generator uses a unique, low-temperature reaction to create electricity.

The device works by using a fuel-and-air mixture to drive oscillators—containing magnets—in a linear motion back and forth through copper coils. This process directly converts motion into electricity without the need for a crankshaft or rotating parts. The key innovation is the flameless, low-temperature reaction, which keeps temperatures low enough to virtually eliminate the formation of nitrogen oxides (NOx), a harmful pollutant. Mainspring's units produce less than 1.5 parts per million of NOx, a figure that qualifies as "near-zero" and easily meets the most stringent air quality standards.

This design also unlocks unprecedented fuel flexibility. The system's software and electronics can dynamically adjust to the fuel being supplied in real-time, allowing it to run on natural gas, propane, biogas, and, crucially for future decarbonization efforts, 100% hydrogen and 100% ammonia. With a high electrical efficiency of 46%, the 250-kilowatt modular units are designed for scalability, allowing installations to build resilient microgrids from a few hundred kilowatts to over 100 megawatts.

"Travis AFB welcomes this prototype demonstration," said David Lin, 60th Air Mobility Wing Deputy Base Civil Engineer. "The contract with Mainspring explores an innovative response to the Department's directive to increase flexibility and reduce single points of failure in mission energy infrastructure."

Streamlining Defense Innovation

The speed at which this advanced technology is being brought into a military pilot program is also noteworthy. Mainspring secured the project through the Tradewinds Solutions Marketplace, a Department of Defense platform designed to slash procurement timelines and accelerate the adoption of cutting-edge commercial innovations.

The Tradewinds marketplace, an initiative of the Defense Innovation Unit (DIU), allows DoD entities to find and acquire pre-vetted, "awardable" technologies without navigating the traditionally lengthy and complex federal contracting process. Mainspring was designated as the first power generation provider to become "awardable" on the platform, positioning it as a key potential supplier for any branch of the military seeking resilient, multi-fuel energy solutions. This streamlined pathway is critical for keeping the military's technological edge sharp and responsive to emerging needs and threats.

"It is an honor to have The Department of the Air Force recognize the Mainspring Linear Generator's potential to increase power resilience and fortify U.S. defense infrastructure," stated Adam Simpson, Mainspring's Chief Commercial Officer. "The Air Force is leading the way in energy resilience, and this project will help accelerate critical capability adoption of new power generation innovations."

This model of public-private partnership, leveraging platforms like Tradewinds, demonstrates a new agility in how the Pentagon can integrate solutions from the private sector to solve its most pressing operational challenges. As the pilot gets underway at Travis AFB, its success could pave the way for a broader rollout across military installations, fundamentally changing how the U.S. armed forces power their critical missions. The three-month demonstration will not only test a piece of hardware but will also serve as a real-world test of this faster, more adaptive approach to military modernization.