Detailed Modeling and Investigation of Impact of Transient Loading on Electrical Power System of Military Aircraft F – 35

Military aircraft have always been the flag-bearers of innovative technologies to enhance performance capabilities, reduce weight, improve reliability, and advance navigation/control automation. Military aircraft such as the F-35 is designed to achieve aerial surveillance, stealth operation, and dogfighting capabilities. To achieve an optimal design, an innovative integrated subsystem design approach is adopted in F-35. This concept has resulted in a set of innovative but complex subsystems being developed and employed in military aircraft F-35. This paper focuses on exploring and mathematical modeling of the electrical power system (EPS) of F-35 powering different load types, including critical avionic loads, high-power actuators, and environmental control system loads. A flight profile showing different modes of operation is used to highlight the intermittency and power requirement in various modes. Based on this, a detailed mathematical model is simulated in MATLAB/SIMULINK®. Based on the simulation results, asymmetrical load distribution and intermittency of the electrohydrostatic actuator system (EHAS) load resulted in a power imbalance of 5% and 15.8% of line rating, respectively, is highlighted. To address 747146this concern, a modified EPS is proposed, with a triple-active bridge converter, capable of exchanging controlled bidirectional power between the two HVDC buses thereby improving dynamic balancing and operational efficiency with no extra cost and additional weight.