Mainstream Engineering to Develop a Thermal Management System for Military Airborne Laser
ROCKLEDGE, FL – May 2nd, 2012 – Mainstream Engineering Corporation, 25-year research, and manufacturing company, has been awarded a contract from the U.S. Navy to provide a thermal management system (TMS) for a developmental, airborne, high-power laser.
Existing aircraft TMSs are not designed with enough capacity to handle the additional thermal loads of newly integrated, high-power lasers. Existing systems are also not designed with the ability to cool high-heat-flux thermal loads such as those associated with critical laser components. In addition to these requirements, new TMSs developed for high-power lasers must meet strict volume, mass, and reliability requirements associated with aircraft operation.
Through previous developmental efforts, Mainstream has been able to optimize the design of a prototype TMS for the Navy’s developmental laser and experimentally validate critical thermal management components. In this new contract, Mainstream will work to integrate its proven TMS technology with other laser subsystems and perform multiple rounds of thermal and environmental demonstration testing. This effort leverages Mainstream’s extensive experience in high heat flux thermal control, which remains the heart of many of Mainstream’s patent products for the military and air conditioning/refrigeration markets.
While many employers in Brevard County are discussing reductions in force, Mainstream has seen its staff increase by more than 14% in the last year alone. This new Navy contract will allow Mainstream to create additional engineering and production positions.
“Given the state of the economy and the recent job losses at Kennedy Space Center, we are excited about the possibility of being able to employ displaced aerospace workers from the local community,” said Dr. Robert Scaringe, President of Mainstream. “This new Navy contract award is one small step in a series of ongoing job-creating programs that we are developing at Mainstream and our spin-off companies. “These programs create local jobs, improve the nation’s energy efficiency and reduce our dependence on foreign oil, all while reducing emissions and preserving the environment,” continued Scaringe.
Mainstream Engineering has a history of leading-edge research and development that has resulted in advanced, lean-manufacturing, cost-competitive products, which are all proudly made in the USA.
About Mainstream Engineering Corporation
Mainstream Engineering Corporation is a solutions-oriented research, development, and manufacturing business founded in 1986. Our primary mission is to transition advanced thermal control, energy storage, and energy conversion technology into high-quality, cost-effective, environmentally safe, green, commercial products. Products include lightweight diesel/JP8-fueled engines (including generators and hybrid vehicle drive trains), advanced thermal control units, advanced biomass conversion technologies, refrigerators/freezers for shipping containers, and the QwikProduct™ line of heating, ventilation, air conditioning, and refrigeration (HVAC/R) products. Areas of advanced research include thermal control, energy conversion, engine and emissions research, turbomachinery, chemical technology, and materials science.
Existing aircraft TMSs are not designed with enough capacity to handle the additional thermal loads of newly integrated, high-power lasers. Existing systems are also not designed with the ability to cool high-heat-flux thermal loads such as those associated with critical laser components. In addition to these requirements, new TMSs developed for high-power lasers must meet strict volume, mass, and reliability requirements associated with aircraft operation.
Through previous developmental efforts, Mainstream has been able to optimize the design of a prototype TMS for the Navy’s developmental laser and experimentally validate critical thermal management components. In this new contract, Mainstream will work to integrate its proven TMS technology with other laser subsystems and perform multiple rounds of thermal and environmental demonstration testing. This effort leverages Mainstream’s extensive experience in high heat flux thermal control, which remains the heart of many of Mainstream’s patent products for the military and air conditioning/refrigeration markets.
While many employers in Brevard County are discussing reductions in force, Mainstream has seen its staff increase by more than 14% in the last year alone. This new Navy contract will allow Mainstream to create additional engineering and production positions.
“Given the state of the economy and the recent job losses at Kennedy Space Center, we are excited about the possibility of being able to employ displaced aerospace workers from the local community,” said Dr. Robert Scaringe, President of Mainstream. “This new Navy contract award is one small step in a series of ongoing job-creating programs that we are developing at Mainstream and our spin-off companies. “These programs create local jobs, improve the nation’s energy efficiency and reduce our dependence on foreign oil, all while reducing emissions and preserving the environment,” continued Scaringe.
Mainstream Engineering has a history of leading-edge research and development that has resulted in advanced, lean-manufacturing, cost-competitive products, which are all proudly made in the USA.
About Mainstream Engineering Corporation
Mainstream Engineering Corporation is a solutions-oriented research, development, and manufacturing business founded in 1986. Our primary mission is to transition advanced thermal control, energy storage, and energy conversion technology into high-quality, cost-effective, environmentally safe, green, commercial products. Products include lightweight diesel/JP8-fueled engines (including generators and hybrid vehicle drive trains), advanced thermal control units, advanced biomass conversion technologies, refrigerators/freezers for shipping containers, and the QwikProduct™ line of heating, ventilation, air conditioning, and refrigeration (HVAC/R) products. Areas of advanced research include thermal control, energy conversion, engine and emissions research, turbomachinery, chemical technology, and materials science.