Technology will provide increased cooling to enable enhanced
capabilities on F-35 and future defense and commercial aircraft
WINDSOR
LOCKS, Conn., Feb. 28,
2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Collins Aerospace, an RTX (NYSE:
RTX) business, has successfully tested a fully functional
demonstrator of its next-generation power and thermal management
system (PTMS). Targeted as a replacement to the F-35's current
PTMS, Collins' Enhanced Power and Cooling System (EPACS) will
provide more than double the platform's current cooling
capacity—enough to support planned upgrades for the life of the
aircraft. This latest milestone follows Collins' announcement
in 2024 that EPACS had successfully demonstrated 80 kilowatts of
cooling capacity.
"As the F-35 is modernized with advanced weapons and mission
equipment, increased cooling will be required to dissipate all the
heat these new systems will generate," said Henry Brooks, president, Power & Controls
for Collins Aerospace. "EPACS can deliver that cooling and with our
successful demonstrator test, we stand ready to begin the
integration process with Lockheed Martin and help service members
meet their urgent mission requirements."
Collins has invested millions into state-of-the-art thermal
systems development labs, allowing engineers to simulate relevant,
real-world combat aircraft conditions. Using these labs, Collins
validated the EPACS demonstrator's performance across a range of
temperatures, pressures, air flow rates and humidities to achieve
Technology Readiness Level 6. Most customers typically require this
level of maturity for a new technology before entering the
Engineering & Manufacturing Development phase, which would be
the next step for EPACS, once a competition to replace the current
F-35 PTMS has been launched and a winner has been
selected.
In addition to F-35, as a dual-use technology, EPACS
technologies could be applied to a range of future military and
commercial aircraft, including sixth-generation fighters and
passenger planes. Much like combat aircraft, passenger planes are
incorporating newer, more power-hungry technologies that require
more robust thermal management systems like EPACS.
About RTX
RTX is the world's largest aerospace and defense company. With more
than 185,000 global employees, we push the limits of technology and
science to redefine how we connect and protect our world. Through
industry-leading businesses – Collins Aerospace, Pratt &
Whitney, and Raytheon – we are advancing aviation, engineering
integrated defense systems for operational success, and developing
next-generation technology solutions and manufacturing to help
global customers address their most critical challenges. The
company, with 2024 sales of more than $80
billion, is headquartered in Arlington, Virginia.
For questions or to schedule an interview, please contact
corporatepr@rtx.com
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SOURCE RTX