Military Applications Boosting Power Converter Market
By Staff -- Consulting-Specifying Engineer, 6/1/2003
As recent events in Iraq have shown, the U.S. military is increasingly dependent on digital electronic devices. Not must recent events really. The war in Iraq has simply once again highlighted a trend that has been going on for decades now.
Analysts are seeing a surge in demand for power-conversion equipment as a result. This will be particularly true for products in the low and mid-range price points. Manufacturers' revenues in this market totaled $472.1 million in 2002, and are expected to reach $704.1 million in 2009, according to a recent report by market researchers at Frost & Sullivan.
Commercial vendors have shunned the military market in the past, because of low volumes and stringent specifications, the report states. However increased military demand is raising potential production volumes, making the market more attractive.
The challenge for manufacturers will be to shrink both product footprints and corresponding heat dissipation, while increasing power density, analysts say. This will be particularly true for products in the low and mid-range price points.
