WRIGHT-PATTERSON AIR FORCE BASE, OHIO (AFRL) – The U.S. Air Force Research (USAF) Laboratory collaborated with the Air Force Life Cycle Management Center, Air Force Materiel Command headquarters, and General Motors Defense to successfully power a KC-135 tanker aircraft with GM Defense’s Electric Ground Power Unit at Edwards Air Force Base, California, on August 14-17, 2023.
The system employs commercial battery electric technology from GM and was transported on an electric cart integrated with GM’s Powered Solutions battery and electric drive system. The Electric Ground Power Unit and cart serve both military and commercial aircraft purposes.