Superconducting Applications to Aircraft Electrical Systems

This program will study the present and proposed electrical power requirements of military aircraft and assess the state of the art in superconductors and superconducting power generation and distribution hardware. The study will develop conceptual designs of superconducting hardware required to meet projected aircraft power needs and will determine the advantages and disadvantages of this hardware compared to conventional (nonsuperconducting) hardware. The study will include low temperature and high temperature superconducting hardware. The Phase I study will select the most promising superconducting component and develop a preliminary design. In Phase II, this component will be fabricated and tested to determine it's performance capabilities and commercial potential value.