Aerospace & Defense Technology - October 2024 - 11

How High-Reliability Capacitors
Support Electrical Power
in Military Vehicles
A
s the U.S. military embraces
vehicle electrification,
high-reliability components
are rising to the occasion to
support their advanced electrical power
systems. In recent years, electronic
device designers have started using wide
band-gap (WBG) materials like silicon
carbide (SiC) and gallium nitride (GaN)
to develop the semiconductors required
for military device power supplies. These
materials can operate at much higher
voltages, perform switching at higher
frequencies, and feature better thermal
characteristics. Compared to silicon,
SiC-based semiconductors provide superior
performance. The growing availability
of these materials, in terms of access
and cost, continues to encourage electrification.
With the ever-present pressure
of size, weight, and power (SWaP)
optimization in military applications,
and a desire to keep up with the pace of
innovation, there's a need for capacitors
that can deliver higher power efficiency,
switching frequency, and temperature
resistance under harsh conditions.
Aerospace & Defense Technology, October 2024
In this article, we explore the rise of
electrification in military applications,
the enabling role of high-reliability power
supplies and converters, and how capacitors
are meeting the rigorous requirements
of modern electrified land systems.
Benefits of Electrical Power in
Military Vehicles
The shift towards electrification presents
numerous transformational advantages
in military vehicles including
enhanced tactical capabilities, energy
efficiency, and futureproofing.
Electric vehicles operate quietly compared
to traditional combustion engine
vehicles, so they're advantageous in
tactical and stealth operations. With
better torque and acceleration, electric
vehicles offer enhanced mobility across
a wide variety of environments and terrains
too.
Critically, modern military technologies
like communications gear, sensors,
and weaponry require a significant
amount of electric power. Electric vehicles
are better equipped to get power
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from the source to the system that needs
it in a compatible format.
The U.S. Army released its first-ever
climate strategy in 2022. Electrification
aligns with these broader efforts and
reduces reliance on fossil fuels, which
are challenging to source and supply in
combat zones.
Compared to combustion engines,
electric vehicles have fewer moving parts,
which can improve the operational lifespan
of equipment. Electric powertrains
are also less susceptible to mechanical
failure under harsh conditions, so they
require less maintenance overall.
Futureproofing
As new technologies emerge, military
vehicles must adapt to support them.
Modern warfare technologies have higher
power demands and increasingly benefit
from integration with autonomous
systems. Electrically powered vehicles
can provide that support in the field
with on-site power generation. Logistically,
there are design opportunities
to simplify the supply chain to reduce
11
Image: Filmbildfabrik /Adobe Stock
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Aerospace & Defense Technology - October 2024

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