By Land, Air and Sea – Power Conversion Technology in ACTion

Military Power Supply Standards for Demanding Environments and Applications

Reliable power is a must for any vehicle. In the trucks, planes, ships and equipment protecting U.S. troops abroad, it’s doubly important. Keeping American interests safe around the world requires sophisticated technology — ACT’s lineup of application-specific AC-DC and DC-DC power supplies and other products plays a fundamental role in ensuring military vehicles are fully operational both at home and abroad. Let’s take a look at some of the most common applications for our military power supply products.

One of the best ways to understand the potential applications for our products is to look at the various military vehicle power supply standards they meet. Our products are essential for compliance with:

  • MIL-STD-704: MIL-STD-704 sets out power supply standards for military aircraft, including those used by the Air Force, Navy, Coast Guard and Army. It outlines acceptable limits for electrical noise and establishes requirements for voltage, frequency, phase, power factor and other issues. MIL-STD-704-compliant modules are found in vehicles such as the F-16 Fighting Falcon, a single-engine supersonic jet that uses 28- and 270-VDC power supplies for its onboard computers and other internal avionics. The C-130 Hercules and other transport aircraft used by the Air Force and Marine Corps also use AC-DC converters and DC-DC power supplies of varying configurations.
  • MIL-STD-1275: MIL-STD-1275 applies specifically to 28-VDC electrical systems used in military ground platform equipment, including armored warfare vehicles, trucks, tanks and support systems. MIL-STD-1275 outlines EMC performance requirements, acceptable levels of spikes and surges, and other characteristics. MIL-STD-1275 military power supplies are most commonly used to power onboard computers. Equipment such as the M1 Abrams tank, the M113 armored personnel carrier and Humvee light trucks all require MIL-STD-1275-compliant power supply units. In these applications, ensuring compatibility with nearby radar equipment and navigation systems is essential.
  • MIL-STD-1399: MIL-STD-1399 is the standard governing the use of AC-DC power supplies in shipboard environments. U.S. Navy power supply components must meet the acceptable limits and characteristics laid out in MIL-STD-1399. The standard applies to all Type I, II and III, 440 or 115 V, 60 Hz ungrounded power systems. As such, MIL-STD-1399-compliant components can be found in Navy ships ranging from commissioned aircraft carriers such as the USS Abraham Lincoln to support vessels such as fuel tankers and oceanographic research ships.

The diversity of environments and equipment in which military power supplies are used demands a range of solutions. Advanced Conversion Technology manufactures power supply modules for ground- and ship-based communication systems, onboard computers in aircraft and more.

We also provide Commercial Off the Shelf Solutions for Military-Grade Power Supply, delivering reliable, rugged performance at meaningful cost differential for a variety of applications.

For assistance, or to learn more about our products, contact our office today.

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