Air Force, GM Defense Power Aircraft Using Commercial Battery Technology

The service aims to leverage automotive industry electrification in flight line, ground support equipment power systems.

Kimberly Johnson

Thursday, October 05, 2023 at 02:56 PM ET

Verified

The Air Force Research Laboratory collaborated with the Air Force Life Cycle Management Center, Air Force Materiel Command, and General Motors Defense to power a KC-135 tanker with GM Defense’s Electric Ground Power Unit at Edwards Air Force Base, California, Aug. 14-17, 2023. [Credit: U.S. Air Force]

Key Takeaways:

An Air Force KC-135 tanker was successfully powered by a GM Defense commercial battery electric ground power unit during a demonstration at Edwards Air Force Base.
This initiative by the Air Force Research Laboratory aims to achieve quieter flight lines and eliminate greenhouse gas emissions from ground operations.
The project involves leveraging commercial automotive industry technology to replace current fossil fuel-dependent flight-line equipment with electric and hybrid solutions.
Maintainers noted key benefits such as zero noise and zero emissions during the demonstration of the new battery electric technology.

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An Air Force KC-135 tanker was recently powered using commercial battery electric technology in a scenario the service says could mean quieter flight lines and the elimination of greenhouse gas emissions.

The tanker was powered with a GM Defense electric ground power unit during a three-day demonstration at Edwards Air Force Base, California, in August, the Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL) said.