JP-10
High-Density Synthetic Fuel
Exo-tetrahydrodicyclopentadiene (THDCPD) — the world's premier high-density fuel for cruise missiles, stand-off weapons, and volume-limited UAVs. Density 0.937–0.951 g/mL; ~20% more energy per litre than conventional jet fuel.
JP-10 Full Technical Specifications
Per MIL-DTL-87107 — High Density Hydrocarbon Fuel
| Property | Requirement | Method |
|---|---|---|
| Specification | MIL-DTL-87107 | — |
| Chemical Composition | Exo-THDCPD ≥97 wt% | GC |
| Density at 15°C | 0.937–0.951 g/mL | ASTM D4052 |
| Flash Point (min) | 54°C (130°F) | ASTM D56 |
| Freezing Point (max) | −79°C (−110°F) | ASTM D2386 |
| Net Heat of Combustion | ≥139,400 BTU/gal | ASTM D4809 |
| Viscosity at −40°C (max) | 12 cSt | ASTM D445 |
| Distillation Initial BP | 170–200°C | ASTM D86 |
| Distillation 90% (max) | 210°C | ASTM D86 |
| Copper Corrosion | Class 1 | ASTM D130 |
| Thermal Stability (JFTOT) | ≥325°C | ASTM D3241 |
| Total Sulfur (max) | 3 mg/kg | ASTM D5453 |
| Endo/Exo Isomer Ratio | Exo ≥97% | GC-MS |
| Color | Colorless to pale yellow | Visual |
For a fixed tank volume, JP-10 carries ~20% more energy
Volumetric energy density comparison:
Why density matters for missiles
Cruise missiles carry fuel in a tightly constrained airframe. At 0.94 g/mL, JP-10 packs ~19% more energy into the same tank volume vs. JP-8. This directly translates to range: a Tomahawk running JP-10 has longer reach without increasing airframe size.
Platform Applications
JP-10 is the fuel of choice wherever energy density is the primary design constraint
Cruise Missiles
BGM-109 Tomahawk, AGM-158 JASSM and similar subsonic stand-off weapons
Air-Launched Missiles
Long-range air-to-surface missiles where fuel volume is tightly limited by airframe geometry
Tactical UAVs
High-endurance unmanned vehicles with small airframes requiring maximum range per volume
Target Drones
Aerial target systems used in live-fire training and weapons testing
Research Platforms
Hypersonic and scramjet research vehicles requiring high-energy fuels
Decoy Systems
Air-launched decoys and jamming platforms with compact propulsion systems
What Makes JP-10 Unique
Single-Component Synthetic Fuel
Unlike JP-8 or Jet A-1, which are complex mixtures of hundreds of hydrocarbon compounds, JP-10 is essentially a single molecule: exo-tetrahydrodicyclopentadiene (exo-THDCPD). This purity gives it extremely predictable and consistent physical properties — critical for precision weapon systems.
JP-10 is produced by the hydrogenation of dicyclopentadiene (DCPD), with the exo isomer required at ≥97% purity. The bicyclic ring structure is responsible for its exceptional density; the compact, strained ring packs more carbon atoms per unit volume than linear or monocyclic hydrocarbons.
Thermal Stability
JP-10's JFTOT breakpoint ≥325°C means it can be used as a coolant/heat sink in advanced propulsion systems before combustion — a dual role that makes it attractive for future high-speed platforms.
JP-10 vs JP-8 — Quick Comparison
| Property | JP-10 | JP-8 |
|---|---|---|
| Composition | Single compound | ~200 compounds |
| Density at 15°C | 0.94 g/mL | 0.80 g/mL |
| Vol. Energy | 142,000 BTU/gal | 119,000 BTU/gal |
| Flash Point | ≥54°C | ≥38°C |
| Freezing Point | ≤−79°C | ≤−47°C |
| Primary Use | Missiles / UAVs | Aircraft / vehicles |
| Spec | MIL-DTL-87107 | MIL-DTL-83133 |
JP-10 Frequently Asked Questions
What is the density of JP-10 fuel?
JP-10 has a density of 0.937–0.951 g/mL at 15°C (approximately 0.94 g/cm³). This is ~18% denser than JP-8's average of ~0.80 g/mL. The high density is the primary reason JP-10 is selected for volume-limited missile airframes — it allows significantly more energy to be stored in the same tank volume.
What is the flash point of JP-10?
The minimum flash point of JP-10 per MIL-DTL-87107 is 54°C (130°F). This is notably higher than JP-8's minimum flash point of 38°C, making JP-10 comparatively safer from an ignition-risk standpoint during handling and storage.
What is JP-10 used for?
JP-10 is used primarily as propellant fuel for cruise missiles (e.g., BGM-109 Tomahawk), air-launched stand-off weapons, tactical UAVs, and target drones. Its maximum volumetric energy density enables these compact platforms to achieve greater range without increasing airframe size.
What does MIL-DTL-87107 specify?
MIL-DTL-87107 is the US military performance specification for high-density synthetic hydrocarbon fuel (JP-10). It defines minimum purity (exo-THDCPD ≥97%), density limits, flash point, freezing point, thermal stability (JFTOT ≥325°C), copper corrosion class, and sulfur content.
Can SUAT Fuels supply JP-10 globally?
Yes. SUAT Fuels supplies JP-10 and other military-grade fuels globally through our network of licensed suppliers and government-approved logistics partners. We manage export documentation, quality certification (CoA), and cold-chain logistics for sensitive military deliveries. Contact our defense sales team for availability and pricing.
How does JP-10 achieve such high energy density?
JP-10's high volumetric energy comes from its bicyclic ring structure (exo-tetrahydrodicyclopentadiene). The strained bicyclic rings pack more carbon atoms per unit volume compared to straight-chain or monocyclic hydrocarbons, increasing density without sacrificing combustion energy. The net result is ~142,000 BTU/gal vs ~119,000 BTU/gal for JP-8.
JP-10 Supply — Defense & Government Programs
SUAT Fuels provides JP-10 under strict quality protocols with full MIL-DTL-87107 certification, CoA documentation, and export compliance management.