Collins' New Power & Cooling System Ready for F-35 Upgrades, Sixth-Gen Aircraft

Collins Aerospace has completed testing of a demonstrator for its Enhanced Power and Cooling System (EPACS), designed to replace the F-35’s existing power and thermal management system (PTMS).

The system provides more than twice the cooling capacity of the current PTMS, supporting planned upgrades for the aircraft’s lifecycle. EPACS will help dissipate heat from new weapons and mission equipment as the F-35 undergoes modernization.

Collins’ latest milestone follows its 2024 demonstration of 80 kilowatts of cooling capacity.

Collins has invested in thermal systems development labs, allowing engineers to simulate real-world combat conditions. The EPACS demonstrator was validated under various temperatures, pressures, and airflows, achieving Technology Readiness Level 6, a key step before entering the Engineering & Manufacturing Development phase.

Beyond the F-35, EPACS technologies could support sixth-generation fighters and commercial aircraft. Modern passenger planes require advanced thermal management systems as they integrate more power-intensive technologies.