The Defense Logistics Agency has certified VPT Inc. and its partner Delta Electronics in Taiwan, for programs requiring space-qualified dc-dc converters in compliance with MIL-PRF-38534, Class K. This certification will enable VPT to rapidly fulfill contracts to supply qualified dc-dc converters for commercial, scientific and military space programs.

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The qualification is based upon VPT's existing, space-proven dc-dc standard product line of power converters for military, avionics, space and other high-reliability markets. VPT will use these qualified building blocks to provide functional breadboard units followed by units that will become Class K-certified flight units very quickly. It is expected that this pre-existing building block approach will enable VPT to deliver full Class K products with short time-to-launch timeframes, that will be measured in months, rather than in years—which had been a typical wait time associated with space-level dc-dc converters in the past.

VPT’s partner, Delta Electronics, is the first offshore manufacturer to receive the Class K certification for the production of dc-dc power converters. VPT has provided dc-dc converter solutions for numerous space programs, including NASA’s Messenger, the International Space Station and Canada's SCISAT.