Honeywell has demonstrated the ability to upgrade the cooling capacity of the Lockheed Martin F-35’s Power and Thermal Management System to 80kW, exceeding the current 32kW cooling needs of the U.S. military and its allied partners.
Honeywell has successfully demonstrated the ability to upgrade the cooling capacity of the Lockheed Martin F-35’s Power and Thermal Management System (PTMS) to 80kW, exceeding the current 32kW cooling needs of the U.S. military and its allied partners. The F-35 Lightning II Joint Program Office (JPO) had indicated the need for more cooling power in the F-35 to support advanced avionics in future generations of aircraft. Honeywell’s PTMS is a low-risk solution that has been the supplier for the F-35’s PTMS for the past two decades, and the recent demonstration positions the company to support future mission systems’ modernization requirements without the need for expensive changes to the aircraft.
The demonstration utilized a Digital Twin of the PTMS, incorporating low-risk advancements to heat exchangers and controls changes that significantly increased cooling potential while maintaining all existing critical interfaces with airplane thermal systems. Honeywell’s PTMS has logged over 750,000 flight hours since 2006, with more than 1,000 PTMS delivered. The company believes that preserving the existing architecture of the PTMS is the lowest risk path forward for the F-35 while increasing cooling capacity for future generations of the aircraft.
“Today, we have successfully demonstrated that we not only meet the F-35’s current operational needs, but we are ready to service future F-35 modernization upgrades without the need for expensive changes to the aircraft for either forward-fit or retrofit scenarios,” said Matt Milas, president, Defense and Space, Honeywell Aerospace Technologies. “By enabling F-35s to update cooling capacity within our existing PTMS architecture, we can now eliminate the risks that would otherwise come from qualifying and fielding a new system that would cost taxpayers billions of dollars without any additional benefit,” he further added.
Honeywell Aerospace Technologies, a leading provider of aircraft systems, has achieved a significant milestone by demonstrating the successful upgrade of the cooling capacity of the F-35’s Power and Thermal Management System (PTMS) to 80kW. This accomplishment not only surpasses the current 32kW cooling needs of the U.S. military and its allied partners but also positions Honeywell as a reliable partner for future mission systems’ modernization requirements.
The F-35 Lightning II Joint Program Office (JPO) recognized the growing demand for enhanced cooling power in the F-35 to support advanced avionics in future generations of aircraft. Honeywell, with its extensive experience as the supplier of the F-35’s PTMS for the past two decades, has successfully addressed this requirement and demonstrated the capability to meet the evolving needs of the F-35 program.
“Honeywell’s PTMS is key to many aircraft systems integrated into the F-35, and any changes to the PTMS would affect other critical components of the aircraft,” said Matt Schacht, vice president, Engineering, Honeywell Aerospace Technologies. “We believe the lowest risk path forward for the F-35 is to maintain the existing architecture of the PTMS to preserve its many critical functions, while increasing cooling capacity for future generations of the aircraft,” he further added.
To showcase the upgraded cooling capacity, Honeywell utilized a Digital Twin of the PTMS, a virtual model that incorporated data from over 2,500 hours of performance testing in Honeywell’s test facility and more than 750,000 hours of in-flight experience. The Digital Twin allowed Honeywell to implement low-risk advancements to heat exchangers and control systems, optimizing the PTMS’s performance without the need for invasive redesigns or concurrency.
The successful demonstration of the 80kW cooling capability marks a significant advancement for the F-35 program. The ability to exceed the current cooling needs ensures that the F-35 is well-equipped to support future mission systems and avionics upgrades. This achievement showcases Honeywell’s commitment to providing innovative solutions for military aircraft, meeting the evolving demands of modern air combat and defense.
Honeywell’s PTMS has played a crucial role in the F-35 program, providing reliable power and thermal management for the aircraft’s systems. Since 2006, more than 1,000 PTMS units have been delivered, accumulating over 750,000 flight hours. The PTMS is a critical component that not only meets the current operational needs of the F-35 but is also ready to support future modernization upgrades without the need for costly and time-consuming changes to the aircraft.
The success of this demonstration reinforces Honeywell’s position as a trusted and forward-looking partner in the aerospace industry. By leveraging digital twin technology and implementing strategic advancements, Honeywell has demonstrated its capability to enhance critical systems, ensuring that military aircraft remain at the forefront of technological advancements and operational effectiveness.
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In conclusion, Honeywell Aerospace Technologies’ achievement of upgrading the F-35’s Power and Thermal Management System’s cooling capacity to 80kW is a testament to the company’s commitment to innovation and excellence in military aviation. The successful demonstration not only meets the current and future needs of the F-35 program but also positions Honeywell as a key player in supporting the evolving requirements of modern military aircraft. With a proven track record and a focus on digital advancements, Honeywell continues to play a pivotal role in advancing the capabilities of military platforms, ensuring they remain at the cutting edge of technology and operational capability.
Question- What is the significance of Honeywell’s achievement with the F-35’s PTMS?
Answer- Honeywell successfully upgraded the PTMS cooling capacity to 80kW, exceeding current needs (32kW) and future-proofing the F-35 for advanced avionics.
Question- How did Honeywell achieve this upgrade?
Answer- By utilizing a Digital Twin of the PTMS and implementing low-risk modifications to heat exchangers and controls, they significantly increased cooling potential without major aircraft modifications.
Question- What are the advantages of this approach?
Answer– This method maintains the existing PTMS architecture, minimizing risk, cost, and development time for future cooling upgrades in the F-35 program.
