Collins finishes altitude testing of proposed F-35 power and cooling upgrade

Collins Aerospace said on 24 August that it had completed high-altitude testing of a proposed upgrade to the F-35 fighter's electrical power and cooling system.

The system, called the Enhanced Power and Cooling System, is offered as a potential replacement for the jet's existing Power and Thermal Management System, which Honeywell builds. Collins is competing with Honeywell for the upgrade work, and the new system is not yet under contract with the F-35 programme.

Collins said repeated additions to the F-35's sensors and electronics have forced its single Pratt & Whitney F135 engine to operate beyond its original design tolerances to supply enough electrical power and dissipate heat. That strain has increased engine wear, the company said, leading to more frequent overhauls and higher sustainment costs.

During the recent trials, the prototype system ran for several days in a laboratory setting at power levels meant to simulate mission conditions. Engineers tested it at various altitudes to gather performance data and confirm it could supply emergency power under operational stress, Collins said.

Ira Grimmett, a company executive, said the altitude testing validated the system's performance in flight-like conditions and increased confidence in its maturity.

US government auditors have separately said the F-35's current power and thermal system will need upgrading to support future combat capability improvements to the aircraft.