PHASER: Phased Hyper-Acceleration for Shock, EMP, and Radiation

The objective of this funds-restricted SBIR Phase I proposal is to demonstrate the merit of the core concept by physically forming the stable and highly rugged magnetoplasmoid (PMK) of ~25 cm diameter and one to five second lifetime in STP atmospheric air, and thus physically produce the PMK at weapon size. The proposed work is a direct extension of previous laboratory results that were marginal for acceleration studies and weapons application, because the initial work used lower energy and shorter current signature inputs. The Phase I physical demonstration will confirm scalability of the formation process and achieve formation of the "Encapsulated EMP Bullet" that will be compressed and accelerated during Phase II to hyperkinetic velocities from 50 to 200 kilometers/sec. Since the PMK is stable, a range of plasmoid energies and velocities are possible; consequently, the target goals for BMDO can be expanded. PLASMAKT technology has exciting potential for a PHASER weapon that launches hyperkinetic encapsulated EMP bullets directed at remote targets. It can be used for a range of purposes from stunning personnel to destroying the functionality of electronically operated devices, smaller rockets, vehicles, and packages that represent an immediate threat to the United States. This dialable PHASER weapon can be set on "Stun" or dialed down, selecting a non-lethal level for persons needed for later interrogation. The Phaser weapon resulting from Phase III commercial development will be made available to Defense, law enforcement, and intelligence organizations such as U.S. Army, Special Forces, Southern Command, DEA, the FBI, CIA, and numerous other groups that will benefit from their use. One mundane application for law enforcement would be the disruption of the engine electronics to stop vehicles that would otherwise be the target of a high-speed chase. Dialable versions of the PHASER will be available for use in civilian encounters. A number of manufacturers and specialty tool shops will be selected to produce components that Prometheus II, Ltd. will use to assemble and calibrate Phaser weapons for commercial distribution. For security purposes, each component will be produced by one or two different manufacturers. All manufacturers will be unrelated and will be chosen according to good project engineering physics and business management practices. BMDO will need advanced ultrakinetic projectiles that are launched at fractional lightspeed. In turn future high pulse power machines generating massive driver energy per pulse will be required. These are currently beyond the scope of this preliminary endeavor. Basic PLASMAKT technology will become the solution to this next problem within an additional time frame and at an appropriate funding level.