Astronics Corporation, a leading supplier of advanced technologies and products to the global aerospace, defense and semiconductor industries, announced today that its wholly-owned subsidiary, Astronics Advanced Electronic Systems (AES), has added the Dual Frequency Converter Unit (DFCU) to its EmPOWER system line of products for the business and VVIP jet industries.

A revolutionary departure from traditional converters, the DFCU produces 4,000 watts of either 115 or 230 volts AC to support passenger and utility power anywhere in the world. The new DFCU incorporates Astronics' latest solid-state electronic circuit breaker (ECB) technology and offers programmable ECB outputs that can be custom configured to each cabin, eliminating the need for a secondary distribution panel and saving both cost and weight.

The DFCU is now commercially available and is already designed into an initial customer aircraft.

Astronics AES is introducing the versatile Dual Frequency Converter Unit (DFCU) to support passenger and utility power needs for aircraft anywhere in the world.

"The Astronics Dual Frequency Converter Unit provides a uniquely simple and versatile cabin power system for the large business jet aircraft. A single box solution, the DFCU not only provides passengers with convenient power to charge their hand held electronics, but it also provides higher power for galley and lavatory devices," says Kellsey Justus, Vice President of Airborne Power and Control at Astronics Advanced Electronic Systems.

For over 20 years, Astronics AES has delivered intelligent power management systems to the world's aerospace industry. The patented EmPOWER system is currently in service with over 200 Airline/OEM customers at over 1,000,000 seat locations. Located in Kirkland, Washington , Astronics AES is an industry-leading manufacturer of aircraft electrical power systems, including power generation and distribution.