Next Generation Aircraft Auxiliary Power Systems

Global market forces are driving down the cost-of-ownership requirements of future passenger aircraft from today's already competitive levels. All elements of the aircraft, including the Auxiliary Power Unit (APU), will have to contribute by providing superior performance and reliability within an environment which will demand even greater product value. This challenge will be met with well proven design pedigree and an appropriate balance of new technology and systems integration.

APIC, a Sundstrand Aerospace Company, is addressing these market demands by continually improving the operational and economic performance of its current APU products while developing the design, manufacturing and integration technologies that will offer even higher value for future aircraft platforms.

This paper provides a status of current APU technology and describes how successful integration with the aircraft and its systems has been used to add value and reduce development cycle time. Load compressor and integral bleed APUs, as well as integrated power units (IPUs) are discussed. This paper also discusses how new integrated technology being developed by Sundstrand is expected to offer further improvements in auxiliary power systems targeted for next generation aircraft.