Mainstream Engineering Awarded Contract from the U.S. Air Force for Thermal Energy Storage for Directed Energy Weapons
ROCKLEDGE, FL – June 13th, 2011 – Mainstream Engineering Corporation, a 25-year-old Brevard County manufacturer with a history of leading-edge research and development that has resulted in advanced, lean-manufacturing, cost-competitive products, which are all made in the USA, has been awarded a contract from the U.S. Air Force to develop their innovative high-density thermal energy storage device for directed energy weapons.
Airborne directed energy weapons, such as high-powered microwave or high-energy lasers require thermal energy storage to minimize the size and weight of the thermal management system. Current state-of-the-art methods fail to provide the necessary energy density, however, Mainstream has developed a new technology with five times the energy storage capacity per unit volume. In this effort, Mainstream will experimentally demonstrate this system and a follow-on effort will focus on the integration of the system into aircraft.
While many employers in Brevard County are discussing reductions in force, Mainstream has seen its staff increase by 14% in the last year alone. This new Air Force contract allows Mainstream to create additional job opportunities.
“This new Air Force contract award is another step in a series of ongoing job-creating new programs at Mainstream. We are actively seeking to create local jobs, improve the nation’s energy efficiency, and reduce our dependence on foreign oil, all while reducing emissions and preserving the environment. Our products have always been proudly ‘Made in the USA’,” stated Dr. Robert Scaringe, President of Mainstream.
About Mainstream Engineering Corporation
Mainstream Engineering Corporation is a solutions-oriented research, development, and manufacturing small business founded in 1986. Our primary mission is to transition advanced thermal control, energy storage, and energy conversion technology into high-quality, cost-effective, environmentally-safe green, commercial products. Products include lightweight diesel/JP8-fueled engines (including generators and hybrid vehicle drive trains), advanced thermal control units, advanced biomass conversion technologies, refrigerators/freezers for shipping containers, and the QwikProduct™ line of heating, ventilation, air conditioning, and refrigeration (HVAC/R) products. Areas of advanced research include thermal control, energy conversion, engine and emissions research, turbomachinery, chemical technology, and materials science.
Airborne directed energy weapons, such as high-powered microwave or high-energy lasers require thermal energy storage to minimize the size and weight of the thermal management system. Current state-of-the-art methods fail to provide the necessary energy density, however, Mainstream has developed a new technology with five times the energy storage capacity per unit volume. In this effort, Mainstream will experimentally demonstrate this system and a follow-on effort will focus on the integration of the system into aircraft.
While many employers in Brevard County are discussing reductions in force, Mainstream has seen its staff increase by 14% in the last year alone. This new Air Force contract allows Mainstream to create additional job opportunities.
“This new Air Force contract award is another step in a series of ongoing job-creating new programs at Mainstream. We are actively seeking to create local jobs, improve the nation’s energy efficiency, and reduce our dependence on foreign oil, all while reducing emissions and preserving the environment. Our products have always been proudly ‘Made in the USA’,” stated Dr. Robert Scaringe, President of Mainstream.
About Mainstream Engineering Corporation
Mainstream Engineering Corporation is a solutions-oriented research, development, and manufacturing small business founded in 1986. Our primary mission is to transition advanced thermal control, energy storage, and energy conversion technology into high-quality, cost-effective, environmentally-safe green, commercial products. Products include lightweight diesel/JP8-fueled engines (including generators and hybrid vehicle drive trains), advanced thermal control units, advanced biomass conversion technologies, refrigerators/freezers for shipping containers, and the QwikProduct™ line of heating, ventilation, air conditioning, and refrigeration (HVAC/R) products. Areas of advanced research include thermal control, energy conversion, engine and emissions research, turbomachinery, chemical technology, and materials science.