News
Fairchild Controls to Supply Vapor Cycle Cooling Systems for U.S. Air Force EC-130H Compass Call Special Mission Aircraft
January 16, 2009
The U.S. Air Force's EC-130H Compass Call aircraft fleet will be equipped with Fairchild Controls' vapor cycle cooling system, which will provide environmental control for the onboard mission systems.
Fairchild Controls' Special Systems Air Conditioner (SSAC) will provide 62 kW of cooling power for the EC-130H. This system will consist of a mission-critical, twin-redundant vapor cycle pack with lightweight helical screw compressors and an integrated motor/system controller.
The EC-130H Compass Call is an airborne tactical weapon system using a modified version of the C-130 Hercules airframe. The system prevents successful enemy command and control communications and limits adversary coordination essential for enemy force management. The system also supports tactical air operations, and provides conventional and special operations support to friendly forces.
All Compass Call aircraft are assigned to Air Combat command. The EC-130H Compass Call is operated by the 55th Electronic Combat Group (41st and 43rd Electronic Combat Squadrons) at Davis-Monthan Air Force Base, Ariz.
Fairchild Controls will supply the cooling system to L-3 Communications Integrated Systems, which will retrofit it as part of upgrades being performed on the fleet of Compass Call aircraft.
"The SSAC is our latest product for the legendary C-130, and it incorporates increased efficiency resulting from our company’s on-going research and development", said Fairchild Controls President Scott Selle. "We'll be combining our competency in ultra-compact and rugged military vapor cycle systems with the efficiency of Fairchild Controls’ larger commercial aircraft supplemental cooling systems. I am proud to add a great new partner, L-3 Communications Integrated Systems, to our roster of customers."
About Fairchild Controls Corporation (www.fairchildcontrols.com)
Fairchild Controls designs and manufactures vapor cycle systems, air management systems, control electronics and air turbine drives for military and commercial aerospace and defense applications. Fairchild Control's vapor cycle systems and air management systems provide cooling for externally mounted aircraft pods that carry targeting, navigation, reconnaissance, and electronic countermeasure systems for U.S. and foreign military services. The company's air turbine drives supply supplemental hydraulic and electrical power for a variety of aircraft. Fairchild Controls is a business unit of EADS North America, and is headquartered in Frederick, Maryland.
About EADS North America (www.eadsnorthamerica.com)
EADS North America is the North American operation of EADS, a global leader in aerospace, defense and related services. As a leader in all sectors of defense and homeland security, EADS North America and its parent company, EADS, contribute over $11 billion to the U.S. economy annually and support more than 200,000 American jobs through its network of suppliers and services. Operating in 17 states, EADS North America offers a broad array of advanced solutions to its customers in the commercial, homeland security, aerospace and defense markets.