Power is a key consideration for modern open architecture initiatives such as the Sensor Open Systems Architecture (SOSA) Technical Standard, says John Sturm, Vice President of Business Development for the Aerospace & Defense business unit of Vicor, when I interviewed him just before Thanksgiving. We also discussed where custom power supplies fit into the defense world and talked about how commercial AI and big data applications are driving innovation and cost reductions in defense power component manufacturing, recruiting engineering talent into the defense market, and what will be a disruptor in military power supplies in the future. Edited excerpts follow.

Recent trends in the defense industry show a convergence towards standardizing electronic systems using open standards to increase interoperability, scalability, and reliability; reduce system costs; and minimize the number of custom electronics designs that increase overhead and maintenance.

ANDOVER, Mass. High-performance power module maker Vicor held an official opening and ribbon-cutting on May 18 for its new 90,000-square-foot manufacturing facility in Andover, Massachusetts.