supercapacitor aerospace

Supercapacitors for Aerospace & Defense Applications


AVIATION APPLICATIONS: At present general aviation and light aircrafts use lead acid batteries, larger aircrafts and helicopters use nickel cadmium batteries. Aircraft manufacturers are beginning to use Lithium Ion batteries due to their larger energy storage capacity per unit weight, but safety issues related to Lithium Ion batteries are matter of concern. Alternatively, Supercapacitors are the best option. In-fact, the new Airbus A380 has deployed supercapacitors for aircraft's regular operations of the heavy doors and in case of emergency, it can operate independently if the aircraft's central power system has failed.

Future aircrafts are expected to make excessive use of automated electric power system management onboard, incorporating supercapacitor as an intelligent energy storage device to protect the electric generator from the abrupt power change which is due to the sudden connection or disconnection of load or from a load with regenerative power capabilities, like electromagnetic actuators.

SPACE APPLICATIONS:There are various applications of Supercapacitors in space domain, like delivery of peak/high pulse current for ignition systems, separation systems, actuators, etc. Such high power capability envisages high power communication during interplanetary missions as well as in conventional electronics. Hybrid Supercapacitors are used in Low Orbit Satellites

DEFENSE APPLICATION:The first high power Supercapacitor was actually developed for military applications by a research institute in USA in the year 1982. Supercapacitors typically are used for Battle Tank Cold Cranking, Unmanned Aerial Vehicle launcher, Emergency power in MRAP Vehicles for door operations, GPS guided missiles, etc.

The propulsion system in fire arms is detonation of gunpowder which causes an explosion behind a projectile. Systems operating on gunpowder are extremely loud and leave residue in the barrel, requiring considerable cleaning efforts for continued usage. With new research and innovation in electronic weapons systems this propulsion mechanism can be can be addressed through Supercapacitors. The Best example is Magnetic Coil Gun. These Coil guns deploys strong magnetic field to accelerate ferromagnetic projectiles. The projectiles used in coil and rail guns are referred to as armatures. A large electric current is switched from a Supercapacitors into a coil of wire wrapped around a barrel to produce the strong magnetic field required for the rapid acceleration of the metallic projectile

SPEL Supercapacitors unique design offers highest performance in demanding applications with their highest power delivery performance for above referred applications with a wide usage temperature range, and support for unified integration with the existing battery pack.

Applications at Glance.


  • Pluse Power for Radar
  • Last-gasp power for distress radio signals.
  • Air-plane Regular/Emergency Door Operations
  • Powering onboard fire suppression systems .
  • Black Box.
  • Burst-power transmission in encrypted radios.
  • Low Orbit Satellite
  • Satellite & Space Station
  • Alernative Navigation
  • Advance Maneuvering
  • Unmanned Aerial Vehicle Launcher
  • Battle Management
  • Battle Tank Cold Cranking
  • GPS guided Missiles & Projectiles .
  • Emergency power to doors in MRAP vehicles

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