RTX's Collins Aerospace EPACS power and thermal management system completes altitude testing

Technology will deliver greater cooling capacity to support advanced mission systems on the F-35 and future defense and commercial aircraft.  

WINDSOR LOCKS, Conn., Aug. 24, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Collins Aerospace, an RTX (NYSE: RTX) business, successfully completed altitude testing of its next generation Power and Thermal Management System (PTMS), the Enhanced Power and Cooling System (EPACS).

Designed to enhance the F-35's power and thermal management, the EPACS system delivers significantly increased cooling capacity to meet the demands of today and tomorrow. By providing the critical thermal margin required to support planned technology upgrades, EPACS ensures the F-35 remains at the cutting edge of performance throughout its entire lifecycle.

"Successful altitude testing validates system performance in real-world flight conditions," says Ira Grimmett, vice president, Environmental & Airframe Control Systems for Power & Controls at Collins Aerospace. "Completing this phase of testing advances EPACS maturity and reinforces confidence in the system's capability and performance."   

Altitude testing is a critical element of early development and risk reduction for a new PTMS. The system was run for several days at power levels replicating mission requirements. It was pushed to operational limits in various altitudes to collect performance data and demonstrate that EPACS can deliver the emergency power expected during operation. This test validates system performance models.    

This latest milestone follows Collins' announcement in 2025 that EPACS met requirements for aircraft integration.  

About Collins Aerospace    
Collins Aerospace, an RTX business, is a leader in integrated and intelligent solutions for the global aerospace and defense industry. Our 80,000 employees are dedicated to delivering future-focused technologies to advance sustainable and connected aviation, passenger safety and comfort, mission success, space exploration, and more.    

About RTX   
With more than 180,000 global employees, we push the limits of technology and science to redefine how we connect and protect our world. With industry-leading capabilities, we advance aviation, engineer integrated defense systems for operational success, and develop next-generation technology solutions and manufacturing to help global customers address their most critical challenges. The company, with 2025 sales of more than $88 billion, is headquartered in Arlington, Virginia.      

For questions or to schedule an interview, please contact [email protected].    

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SOURCE RTX