Virginia-based defense contractor to supply 110 ground power units to the U.S. Air Force over the next five years. PD Systems, a defense contractor in Alexandria, Va., was recently awarded a subcontract through Boeing and FCX Systems to supply the U.S. Air Force with 110 ground power units (GPUs) over the next five years. GPUs supply shore power to aircraft for maintenance and other operations when the aircraft is parked. They provide power for the lights, air conditioning and avionics. The Air Force plans to use the GPUs in overseas operations. Each one will be rated for 75 kW output, and be capable of delivering both dc and ac power simultaneously. "The GPUs must meet stringent operational requirements, and there are hundreds of specifications," said Mazen Badr, vice president and general manager for PD Systems. "The GPU is also required to be rugged for the extreme harsh environments encountered in military applications, including high wind, sand and dust storms as well as heavy ice and snow accumulating on the body of the GPU."
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