Compact High Power Microwave Payloads

Design and build compact, pulsed power devices for High Power Microwave (HPM) Payloads for small rockets and/or the Multiple Kill Vehicles (MKVs).The overall requirements for this solicitation are very demanding. Overall, an explosive pulsed power system is required to be able to drive an RF source. This eventually will include prime power, the generator, and a pulse forming circuit. While the design and test of a explosive generator that does not produce debris was the main focus of the Phase I effort, we proposed and worked toward bringing along the energy storage capacitor as well. In Phase II, we will continue this parallel development. For the explosive generator, the requirements are extremely challenging. These may be summarized as four separate requirements to be satisfied within one design. 1. The system must be able to power an HPM source, implying the generation of 10’s to 100’s of joules of energy. 2. It must be compact enough to fit within a 3” diameter and 24” long enclosure and be capable of G hardening for the anticipated missions. 3. The system must be low mass to satisfy the needs of the small smart communicating kill vehicles, such as the Multiple Kill Vehicle (MKV). 4. The system, once initiated, must produce little or no debris. These are each very challenging requirements. However, to achieve all of them simultaneously is a challenge indeed! As noted in the solicitation, the “current FCG designs are not satisfactory and new innovative designs are required.”