The performance characteristics of a coal based synthetic JP-8 fuel were evaluated on an autothermal reformer experimental test stand. The target application for the reformate was a solid oxide fuel cell power unit. The synthetic JP-8 fuel was derived through the Fischer-Tropsch process, resulting in a predominantly paraffin based fuel. The synthetic JP-8 fuel was reacted in an atmospheric pressure autothermal reformer with noble metal catalysts under conditions of steam-to-carbon ratio of 2.0, fuel equivalency energy flow of 3.33 kW thermal to 6.66 kW thermal, and variable oxygen-to-carbon ratios of 0.8-1.2. For all fuel equivalency flow rates investigated, fuel conversion of greater than 96% were achieved. The synthetic fuel produced high reforming efficiencies of up to 92.2%, with hydrogen concentrations up to 36.5%. The results show that coal derived JP-8 fuels can produce high reforming efficiencies, with high hydrogen concentrations while minimizing carbon formation in an ATR reactor. Published by Elsevier Ltd.