Powering ADF communications in the most uncertain of environments.
In 2015 Boeing Defence was awarded the Project Currawong contract for delivering an integrated Battlefield Telecommunications Network system to the Australian Defence Force.
Challenge
Within three months, design and manufacture a bespoke military grade power supply (PSM) to fit within a very limited pre-defined envelope, capable of delivering 600W of in-field power.
The PSM, powering Boeing’s highly praised NAM module—the battlespace communications system core capability brick. Hundreds of PSMs manufactured for Boeing and delivered into the program.
The PSM, powering Boeing’s highly praised NAM module – the battlespace communications system core capability brick. Hundreds of PSMs manufactured for Boeing and delivered into the program.
A compressed product in a compressed timeline
Size, weight and power efficiency directly translate into deployment footprint and are therefore very important to Army. As a result, Boeing had a strong focus on achieving the smallest possible footprint for the system hardware. Delivering the required power density necessitated an innovative approach for both the hardware and mechanical architectures.
Additionally, the project was delivered with an ambitious program timeline—Design, manufacture and deliver the first fully functional prototype PSMs in three months.
Uninterruptable power.
Maintaining communications in hostile environments requires a complex array of technologies and survivable equipment. Without power, communication stops.
As a contributor to communication certainty, the PSM provides a consistent source of power supply through the most interrupted and adverse of conditions.
The PSM can deliver over 600W continuously to the NAM, allowing it to continue to perform demanding networking tasks, switching seamlessly between 28V DC vehicle power and 240V AC mains.
Project Features
- DC and AC power inputs.
- Up to 600W power output.
- 215mm x 132mm x 176mm envelope.
- MIL-STD-1275 rated vehicle transient immunity.
- MIL-STD-461 EMC compliant.
- Zero delay handover between 230V AC mains and 28VDC.
- Hot-pluggable with UPS co-ordination.
- Extremely wide operating temperature range.
- Absolutely minimal internal wiring.
- Alpha prototype delivered in 3 months.
- Production deliveries ongoing.
