The former Secretary of the Navy and a retired Vice Admiral were at Goodyear headquarters in Akron today to get an update on the tire maker's latest advances in technology to produce a more fuel efficient tire for military vehicles.

Joe Zekoski, vice president, global product development for Goodyear says the company is ready to produce a more fuel efficient tire for the military.

Zekoski told reports during a news conference " For the military we've developed a prototype tire that can reduce rolling resistance by about 40%, compared to the current Humvee tires

Goodyear has been the sole supplier of tires to the military for the Humvee. Those tires are made in Akron.

Zekoski also told the national delegation that Goodyear is working on a substitute for oil in the tire making process. " We're also working with GenCorp to develop a bio-based alternative to oil-based synthetic rubber, called bio-isoprene. We believe this will have a significant impact on the environment by reducing oil and natural rubber use in the tire making process," says Zekoski.

Former Navy Secretary and retired U.S. Senator John Warner of Virginia says Goodyear has proven its leadership in developing more fuel efficient tires and should be doing so for the military for many years to come.

Warner and Retired Vice Admiral Dennis McGinn are part of the Pew Project on National Security, Energy and Climate which is working on ways to reduce oil and energy consumption in the military.