Raytheon’s UK investment in commercial aviation power solutions has paid off and it has been selected to provide power systems know-how as part of several aerospace consortia developing the More Electric Aircraft (MEA) of the future.

Raytheon has a high temperature silicon carbide production facility in Scotland which produces devices for use in high temperature power supplies.

Silicon technology typically has a maximum operating temperature of around 150�C, as a result liquid cooling systems are required.

According to Raytheon, the silicon carbide devices can operate at temperatures of above 300�C, “which is perfect for commercial aircraft, breaking away from the traditional tradeoffs while providing great value for money”.

The company’s collaborations under the Aerospace Growth Partnership include: Power Off-take and Power Conversion for the More Electric Engine (SILOET II, Rolls-Royce), Electric Engine Start power delivery (POMOVAL, Labinal Power Systems), Motor Drive power delivery sub-systems (LAMPS, UTC), Dedicated HiTSiC Power Modules (R-PSM, Raytheon), and the Harsh Environment Health Monitoring Devices (HEEDS, AEC).

According to Steven Doran, managing director of power and control, Raytheon UK: “Raytheon has a 25 year track record in electronic systems for harsh operating conditions where high current, power density, temperature and value are the key factors. The SWAP-V (Size, Weight, Power – Value) goal is being achieved through greater collaboration, with industry and academic experts in emerging technologies for harsh environments.”

Raytheon UK is a subsidiary of US firm Raytheon and is a prime contractor to the UK Ministry of Defence. It designs, develops and manufactures a range of high-technology electronic systems and software at facilities in Harlow, Glenrothes, Uxbridge, Waddington and Broughton.