Astronics will take part in the development of an unmanned flying tanker for the US Navy

Astronics, a leading provider of advanced technology to the aerospace, defense and other mission-critical industries, has been awarded contracts from Boeing to supply CorePower aircraft power distribution units and custom-designed exterior lights for the MQ-25 unmanned aerial vehicle.

Astronics will take part in the development of an unmanned flying tanker for the US Navy

CorePower replaces pilot-controlled thermomechanical breaker systems with intelligently controlled Electronic Circuit Breaker Unit (ECBU) switches to ensure safe and reliable remote operation. The system planned for the MQ-25 includes the latest generation Astronics ECBU. Its advantages include uniform weight distribution and increased reliability compared to traditional systems.

The Boeing MQ-25 is the first operational deck-based unmanned tanker aircraft for the US Navy. The first prototype of the device took off in 2019. Development is still ongoing. The project has the ability to deliver 6,800 kg of fuel over a distance of 930 km. It is expected that the commissioning of the flying tanker will increase the range of F / A-18E / F Super Hornet multipurpose aircraft based on aircraft carriers by one and a half times.

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