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Air Force Awards Arkansas Company $3.5 Million Contract

www.uschambersummit.com

An electronics company in Fayetteville is being awarded a $3.5 million contract from the U.S. Air Force to develop a power module for fighter jets.

Arkansas Power Electronics International is to build a high-temperature, silicon carbide power module for the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter.  

Lauren Kegley, business development engineer with Arkansas Power Electronics International, said the company was chosen because it specializes in advanced electronics for a variety of customers in the defense, aerospace, and electric vehicle industries.

“The Air Force currently has a more electric to all electric philosophy, where they are replacing old hydraulic systems, which were previously all mechanical, and they’re moving them to electric systems," Kegley said.  "This is for weight consideration, reliability consideration, and the fact that there’s less maintenance required for this electrical system.”

At this point, she says, they will be utilizing their existing staff.

“We’re always expanding and I wouldn’t doubt that as we commercialize the technology, we’ll be hiring more people."