A
fuel tank heat rejection system (403, 503) for an aircraft (10). The
fuel tank heat rejection system (403, 503) includes a
fuel tank compartment (460, 560) in the aircraft (10) and a fuel tank (46, 282, 304, 404, 504, 604, 704, 804) having an exterior surface (617, 717, 817) and storing fuel (267) therein. The fuel tank (46, 282, 304, 404, 504, 604, 704, 804) is located in the fuel tank compartment (460, 560). The fuel tank
heat rejection system (403, 503) includes one or more air valves (462, 562) that provide fluid communication to the fuel tank compartment (460, 560). The one or more air valves (462, 562) opening to operably direct cooling air into the fuel tank compartment (460, 560) through the one or more air valves (462, 562), the cooling air contacting the exterior surface (617, 717, 817) of the fuel tank (46, 282, 304, 404, 504, 604, 704, 804) such that heat from the fuel (267) is rejected from the fuel tank (46, 282, 304, 404, 504, 604, 704, 804).