$3 million for Arkansas Power Electronics International in Fayetteville to support the development of Silicon Carbide Power Modules for the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter
The F-35 Joint Strike Fighter is one of the first major programs implementing the Air Force’s new “More Electric” and “All Electric” aircraft design philosophy, which mandates the replacement of costly and bulky mechanical hydraulic aircraft flight control systems with lighter weight, high-reliability, low-maintenance electric motors and drives. The high power densities and high voltages required to operate mechanical flight systems using electric motors are driving a transition to high density silicon carbide (SiC) power electronic systems that can operate at higher efficiencies, higher voltages, higher power densities, and higher temperatures in comparison with conventional silicon electronics. This request will fund the transfer of laboratory tested SiC power electronics technology developed at APEI to F-35 actuator drive flight systems.
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