Future trends in aircraft electrical systems

An attempt is made to devise the complete electrical system of a hypothetical civil transport aircraft, based upon the generation, utilization and distribution equipment available at the present time, or likely to be available in the immediate future. The approach used is that of an aircraft constructor´s design team, and weight is used as the first criterion. Relative reliability is always more difficult to establish, but in certain kinds of equipment it becomes an overriding factor. From the assessment, and a very brief examination of existing bomber and fighter aircraft, it is apparent that before deciding upon an electrical system the particular aircraft must be considered in detail. Certain broad conclusions are, however, drawn about the desirability of certain types of utilization equipment and particular generation schemes. Of perhaps more importance are the items of equipment which are deficient in themselves, or which are limiting factors in the future development of the electrical system as a whole. An attempt has been made in the paper to indicate such items and to suggest the direction of their future development.