Precision Under Pressure: The Critical Role of Pressure Sensors for Military & Defense Applications

Failure is not an acceptable option in the world of military and defense operations. Equipment must be able to perform under the most extreme conditions, from vibrations and shocks on ground vehicles, to temperature variations in aerospace applications, and corrosion in naval systems. Sensors that are accurate and robust are essential to the operation of many systems. pressure sensors for Military & Defense must meet unsurpassed standards of accuracy, reliability, and durability.

SUCO ESI North America is aware of these requirements. We provide advanced pressure sensing technologies that are designed to be able to withstand the harsh conditions of the defense environment while providing the exact measurements required for mission success. This article explores the challenges that this industry faces and highlights the key characteristics of reliable pressure sensors for military applications.

The Unforgiving environment: Why Specialized sensors Are Essential

When used in military and defence scenarios, standard industrial pressure sensors are often inadequate. Operating conditions are significantly different.

• Extreme temperatures: Sensors can be exposed to extreme temperatures, ranging from arctic freezing (-55degC) to extreme heat (+125degC) in environments such as deserts or near engines.
• High Vibration & Shock: Equipment mounted in aircraft, vehicles or naval vessels is subjected to constant and severe vibration and shock, which can cause damage or inaccurate readings.
• EMI/RFI interference: The dense electronic environments of military platforms create significant electromagnetic and radio-frequency interference. Sensors with robust shielding are required to prevent signal disruption.
• Compatibility with Harsh Media: Sensors are often required to measure the pressure in aggressive media such as fuels or coolants.
• The Need for Uncompromising Dependability: Sensor failures can have catastrophic consequences on mission capability, system integrity and personnel safety. It is important to have a long Mean Time Between Faults (MTBF).
• Weight and Space Constraints: Sensors in unmanned and aerospace systems must be lightweight and compact without compromising performance.

Military & Defense: Key Characteristics High-Performance Sensors with Outstanding Performance

SUCO ESI has developed sensors that meet the needs of this industry.

• Robust Design: Using durable housing materials, such as stainless steel or Titanium, robust seals and internal designs that can withstand high g-forces due to shock and vibration.
• High Accuracy and Stability: Maintaining precision measurements over wide temperature and pressure variations, with minimal drift in time.
• Excellent overpressure tolerance: Able to withstand pressure spikes that are significantly higher than the range of measurement without damage or calibration shifting.
• Superior protection against EMI/RFI: Incorporating shielding, filtering and other measures to ensure reliability in noisy electronic environments.
• Wide Temperature Range: Intended to work reliably in extreme temperatures.
• Chemical compatibility: Wetted Parts constructed from materials resistant against the specific media to be measured.
• Proven reliability & long service life: Backed up by rigorous testing and Quality Control processes to ensure longevity in challenging applications.

The SUCO ESI advantage: Silicon-onSapphire Technology

Silicon on Sapphire (SoS), a sensor technology that is particularly important for defense applications, can be a key differentiator. SoS is a technology where piezoresistive strain gauges on synthetic sapphire are epitaxially deposited.

Why is this beneficial for military and defense?

• Excellent Insulation: The Sapphire is an exceptional electrical insulator that provides outstanding isolation and stability at high temperatures.
• Low Hysteresis & High Stability: A molecular bond formed between sapphire and silicon results in excellent signal repeatability and minimal drift.
• High Overpressure Resistance: Sapphire’s inherent strength allows it to withstand pressure spikes.
• Wide Temperature Range: SOS sensors perform well across a wide temperature range.
• No oil fill required (in certain designs): Eliminates leak paths and compatibility problems associated with traditional sensor fluids.

The technology used in SoS sensors makes them robust, and ideal for military systems.

Diverse Defense Platforms: Applications

Military & Defense Pressure Sensors play a vital role in many systems. SUCO ESI North America offers solutions for:

• Aerospace Fuel pressure monitoring, landing-gear actuation and environmental control systems.
• Naval Systems: Propulsion systems, depth measuring, ballast tank monitoring and hydraulic control systems.
• Ground Vehicles: Braking systems (hydraulic/pneumatic), transmission pressure, fuel systems, suspension systems, engine monitoring (oil, coolant, boost pressure).
• Unmanned Systems: Fuel level, hydraulic actuation (barometric pressure), altitude sensor (payload system).

From aircraft flight control to submarine ballast, accurate pressure measurement is essential to operational integrity and safety. SUCO ESI offers the specialized sensors required for these critical tasks.

Why choose SUCO ESI North America?

Choosing SUCO ESI North America as your partner for military and defense pressure sensors offers many benefits.

• Specialized expertise: Deep knowledge of the unique challenges and requirements of the Defense sector.
• Advanced Technology Access high-performance sensors using technologies such as SoS.
• Proven reliability: Products that have been rigorously tested and proven to perform in demanding applications.
• Customization: Ability of tailoring sensor designs (outputs and pressure ranges) to specific program requirements.
• Support Dedicated: Technical assistance and application engineering support available in North America.

Contact SUCO ESI North America for your pressure sensor needs at 1-800-473-7313 or cs@sucoesi.com