August 19, 2025
LISLE, IL – August 19, 2025 – Molex, a global electronics leader and connectivity innovator, introduces the AirBorn 3U VPX Power Supply, delivering clean power in a smaller form factor to unlock capacity in space-constrained aerospace, defense and commercial applications. As the latest innovation from AirBorn, a Molex Company, this newest VPX model is built on the robust architecture and award-winning innovation of the AirBorn 6U VPX Power Supply. The new 3U version has been engineered to offer unparalleled reliability and efficiency for the most challenging operational environments.
“AirBorn’s line of VPX power systems sets new standards for power density and efficiency, based on our decades of experience developing, testing and deploying highly reliable power solutions for the aerospace and defense industry,” said Mike Cole, SVP and president, Aerospace and Defense Solutions, Molex. “With the new 3U VPX Power Supply, we continue to overcome the most formidable physical and electrical challenges in power supply design.”
Reducing Design Complexity and Costs
AirBorn’s patent-pending VPX Power Supply family optimizes size, weight, power and cost (SWaP-C) while meeting VPX and VITA 62 open architecture and performance requirements. Approximately one-third the size and weight of the 6U VPX Power Supply, the new SOSA-compliant 3U power system has been designed to achieve a maximum output of 1,000 watts and offers out-of-the-box compliance with MIL-STD-1275 and MIL-STD-461 CE101/CE102 conducted emission test requirements. Adherence safeguards sensitive electronics from extreme voltage variations inherent in military ground vehicles, while saving time, effort and cost in product design, testing and qualification.
Additionally, the 3U VPX Power Supply incorporates AirBorn’s advanced internal filtering to meet stringent EMI/RF requirements. Integrated EMI suppression capability is designed to meet MIL-STD-461-conducted EMI emission requirements without external filtering. A testament to AirBorn’s proven power engineering expertise, this unique functionality mitigates interference at the source to reduce signal degradation, lower crosstalk and enhance data transmission rates.
“For customers building highly compact 3U VPX systems, the opportunity to leverage an ‘all-in-one’ power supply that handles power conversion and EMI filtering on a single printed circuit board is very compelling,” said Scott Poole, director, Design and Development Engineering at AirBorn. “We apply extensive engineering expertise and special processes to develop highly efficient power engines capable of achieving low noise switching, clean conducted emissions, ultra-clean output voltages and versatility in parallel VPX cards.”
Meeting Bigger Power Demands in Smaller Footprints
The AirBorn 3U VPX Power Supply is well positioned to deliver continuous operation in rigorous conditions common for military ground vehicles, which can create voltage spikes and surges. When space is at a premium, the new 3U VPX model can safeguard essential onboard systems and applications, such as Low Earth Orbit (LEO) satellites, unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), industrial automation, robotics and AI-driven distributed systems. This transfer of military-grade ruggedization and reliability to other applications and industries will be universally appealing to engineers and systems integrators committed to ensuring flawless power delivery and seamless systems integration of sensitive electronics.
Complementary Technology from BittWare, a Molex Company
In related news, BittWare, a Molex company with a 30-year heritage in the embedded computing market, announced an early access program to jumpstart the development and integration of solutions leveraging a new 3U VPX card portfolio based on AMD’s next-generation embedded processor, RF and FPGA technologies. Designed to complement the AirBorn VPX power systems, BittWare is selecting customers for this ruggedized, SOSA-aligned VPX family for mission-critical aerospace and defense applications, including radar, signal intelligence, electronic warfare, satellite communications and unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs).
AirBorn and BittWare are exhibiting at the MOSA Industry & Government Summit & Expo at National Harbor, MD, August 27-29th (Booths 609 and 611, respectively). The new AirBorn 3U VPX will be on display, alongside the AirBorn 6U VPX system, which delivers up to 2,300 watts of power—nearly twice the output of traditional 6U power supplies with 95% efficiency.