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:

The U.S. Air Force successfully demonstrated powering a KC-135 tanker using a GM Defense commercial battery electric ground power unit at Edwards Air Force Base.
This initiative aims to create quieter flight lines and eliminate greenhouse gas emissions by replacing fossil fuel-powered ground equipment.
The Air Force Research Laboratory is collaborating with GM Defense to integrate commercial electric and hybrid technologies into flight-line operations and vehicles.

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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.