This paper summarizes progress for the “Integrated Power Unit - Advanced Development” program under contract with the U.S. Air Force at the Air Force Research Laboratory in Dayton, Ohio. This is a 58 month program beginning in February 1996, and ending in December 2000. Figure 1 is a program schedule that identifies major tasks and timing of the phases. The scope of this effort is to design, build, and ground test a highly integrated, air-breathing, electrical power unit which demonstrates the critical design and integration features required for a simple, durable, and reliable Integrated Power Unit (IPU). The IPU must be electrically linked for self starting, main engine electrical starting and as a major source of redundant electric power for the aircraft's main electric power system. Figure 2 shows a mockup of a prototypic IPU design.
