ELECTRIC ACTUATION FOR MISSION CRITICAL APPLICATIONS

Hydraulic actuators, commonly known as “cylinders,” have been used on ground and naval defense platforms for decades. Hydraulic cylinders have very high force to size ratios, making them very popular on military vehicles. Although once ground and naval defense platform designers began to recognize the benefits of using all electronics on some vehicles and programs, linear EMAs were quickly seen as a direct replacement to hydraulics. As an industry recognized hydraulic replacement, we manufacture COTS and mCOTS linear and rotary actuators that cover a wide range of motion applications for the defense industry. 

While linear EMAs can directly drop into hydraulic systems, many linear systems can be converted to rotary EMAs for additional benefits. High-torque rotary actuators are an excellent replacement in the actuation of many hinged components such as:

  • Ramps
  • Doors
  • Hatches
  • Radar deployment
  • Gun elevation
  • Missile launch elevation


Not all Actuators are Created Equal: the Roller Screw Technology Difference

Utilizing roller screw technology and integrated brushless servo motors, Exlar actuators offer clean, fast and accurate control over a wide range of force, speed, and positioning. With continuous force ratings in excess of 40,000 pounds (177,929 N) and linear speeds exceeding 60 inches per second (1.5 m/sec), our actuators are built to last and guarantee reliable results.

Our technologies meet the military’s growing need for rugged, reliable, electrically powered systems. Our compact actuators and motors are:

  • Specified on weapons systems for vehicles in the Future Combat System
  • Part of the design for the Navy’s Advanced Gun System
  • Used for valve control on Navy ship systems


Advantages of Electromechanical Actuation in Defense Vehicles

Military vehicle designers are constantly searching for measurable and impactful changes in their systems designs. Designers need technology that can meet the new demands for efficiency, increased power and improved size and weight. To accomplish these goals, designers are incorporating actuation systems into the vehicles. Initially, many of these designs utilized hydraulic actuation but, lately, there is an increased use of electronic systems because of their greater efficiencies, leading to lower power consumption and maintenance costs. Moreover, the simplified designs also lend themselves to increased survivability.


ACTUATORS IN DEFENSE MARKETS

Naval Defense ApplicationsGround Defense Applications
HatchesLauncher positioning
Towed arraysHatch opening/closing
Valve controlsMunition’s handling
Weapon handling systemsWeapons positioning
Carrier Flight Deck operationsTurret control
Position TurretsGun/camera sight


Ground and Naval Defense Resources

Content Type
Industrial - Exlar, Product Videos
Learn how we build our actuators
Industrial - Exlar, White Papers
Hydraulics have been widely used for decades. Hydraulic leaks, inefficiency, and inaccuracy are just a few reasons people are transferring technologies.
Ground and Naval Defense, Electric Actuation Articles
Balancing tight cost constraints, addressing program viability questions, and dealing with severe environmental variables puts military vehicle designers...
Industrial - Exlar, Brochures/Catalogs
Industrial - Exlar, Brochures/Catalogs
Industrial - Exlar, Brochures/Catalogs
Industrial - Exlar, Product Videos
Exlar® actuators from Curtiss-Wright are an industry leader in electric actuation. Our research, pride, and creativity shine in this short video as we highlight our top product lines.
Industrial - Exlar, Product Videos
Our product animation for the FTX Series highlights product features and options available and shows you what makes the FTX an exceptional choice for a variety of industrial applications.
Ground and Naval Defense, Brochures/Catalogs
Industrial - Exlar, Product Videos
Our animation highlights the features and benefits of Exlar GTX Series Actuators.
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