In 1995, Boeing Satellite Systems introduced a new family of communication satellite buses, with bodies that contain power, control, and propulsion systems. They used a high-voltage bus connected to a 100V stabilized power source, instead of the standard 27V. This introduced an increase in operating voltage that decreased operating currents and lowered the corresponding ohmic losses in the conductors. However, it also introduced a potentially catastrophic failure to the satellites’ electronic systems: electrical arcing (Figure 1).

Heat pipes are a well-known thermal management solution used in computing applications. Nearly all laptop computers contain some number of heat pipes to effectively remove heat from heat generating components like the CPU and GPU.

The United States shares 5,525 miles of land border with Canada, and 1,989 miles with Mexico. Monitoring these borders, which is the responsibility of U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP), is an enormous task. Detecting and responding to illegal activity while facilitating lawful commerce and travel is made more difficult by the expansive, rugged, diverse, and thickly vegetated geography that spans both often-crossed borders. To help mitigate the challenges to border surveillance, a group of researchers at MIT Lincoln Laboratory is investigating whether an airborne ladar system capable of imaging objects under a canopy of foliage could aid in the maintenance of border security by remotely detecting illegal activities.

That was the challenge posed to Gentex by Boeing. Window shades typically do the job on an airplane, but they’re cumbersome to operate, expensive to maintain, and do little to reflect the hightech nature of today’s modern aircraft. They’re an analog technology holdover operating in the digital age.

Northrop Grumman Corporation
Falls Church, VA
703-280-2900
www.northropgrumman.com

The U.S. Navy recently awarded Northrop Grumman Corporation a $9.6 million contract, with options up to $40.5 million, to produce the Transducer Array/Nose Shell Assembly of the MK 48 heavyweight torpedo. The MK 48 is the primary offensive weapon deployed from all U.S. Navy submarines.

Marvin Test Solutions
Irvine, CA
949-263-2222
www.MarvinTest.com

The Indonesian Air Force recently selected Marvin Test Solutions’ MTS-206A Maverick Field Test Set and MTS-916-3 Modular Target Simulator to support testing of their AGM-65 (Maverick) missile and launcher systems, as part of an FMS (Foreign Military Sale) contract. Part of Marvin Test Solutions’ comprehensive suite of test solutions for both legacy and today’s precision-guided “smart” weapon systems, the MTS-206A and MTS-916 provide advanced testing capabilities to maintainers at the intermediate and depot levels.

Saft
Levallois-Peret, France
+33 1 58 63 16 00
www.saftbatteries.com

Saft was recently selected by Aero Vodochody Aerospace, a leading designer and manufacturer of military and civilian aircraft, for engine starting and emergency backup batteries for the L-39NG jet trainer program. Saft has worked in partnership with Aero Vodochody to develop a new 44 Ah version of its ULM (Ultra Low Maintenance) battery with aerobatic capabilities. It’s not the first time Saft has worked with Aero Vodochody; Saft already supplies batteries for the L-159 and the existing L-39 platforms.