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Protecting the B-52 Power Cart: How STRIKEWERX Collaboration is Extending Mission Readiness 

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The A/M32A-86D Generator Set, better known across Air Force flightlines as the “B-52 power cart,” has been a workhorse for decades. These legacy ground power units (GPUs) supply critical electrical power for aircraft starting and maintenance. But repeated exposure to moisture, heat, and corrosive environments can take their toll on the GPU’s internal components, threatening reliability and increasing maintenance demands. 

To tackle this challenge, STRIKEWERX, the innovation arm of the Air Force Global Strike Command Office of the Chief Scientist, collaborated with Transhield to develop a smarter way to protect these assets while in operation. The result: a set of custom-fit covers engineered to keep the A/M32A-86D’s most sensitive components dry, protected, and mission-ready. 

Innovation on the Flightline 

The project began when STRIKEWERX sought a solution to safeguard the generator’s internal control box and voltage regulator, two vital components prone to corrosion and moisture damage during use on the flightline. Transhield responded by designing internal protective covers using ArmorDillo®, a high-performance material that combines rugged durability with embedded vapor corrosion inhibitors (VCIs). 

Control box prototype cover with front flap closed and opened. 

Unlike other waterproofing methods, these covers allow the generator to operate normally while protecting key electronic components from rain, humidity, and environmental wear — a critical advantage in active maintenance environments. 

Voltage regulator prototype cover 

From Concept to Prototype 

Through close collaboration with AFGSC’s aircraft maintainers and the STRIKEWERX team, Transhield refined the design across multiple iterations. The third-generation prototype now includes: 

  • Integrated webbing to secure the covers during operation and reduce foreign object debris (FOD) risk. 
  • Expanded rear openings to accommodate wire connections while maintaining a tight seal around components. 

These enhancements reflect direct feedback from users — a testament to the practical engineering behind Transhield’s military-grade protective solutions and to our solution-oriented approach in general. 

A Shared Commitment to Readiness 

As the Air Force continues to modernize and sustain legacy systems like the A/M32A-86D, projects like this demonstrate the power of collaboration between the Department of War and industry partners to strengthen mission readiness through innovation. 

Looking Ahead 

With the third-generation prototype in evaluation, Transhield and STRIKEWERX look forward to feedback from Air Force maintenance squadrons on how these covers perform in operational environments. The insights gathered will help guide further refinement and potentially broaden the technology’s use across other ground support equipment. 

Much like the venerable B-52 Stratofortress it is meant to support, the A/M32A-86D has powered America’s aircraft through many missions. Now, with new protective solutions on the horizon, it’s equipped to serve even longer, proof that even legacy equipment can benefit from modern innovation. 

To learn more about Transhield’s corrosion-inhibiting solutions for military applications, visit transhield-usa.com.