Advanced Electrical Power Generation

"The technical challenge is to develop a lightweight, compact power system that will be designed to operate on aircrafts operating flying up to 20,000 feet. Power requirements range from 1 to 5 Megawatts, and several duty cycles will be evaluated for anarray of potential applications.In Phase I, IPS addressed the above technical challenges and strongly believes that the development of megawatt generators is feasible. The opportunity in this program is to develop a conventional generator system, which will favorably compete with asuper-conducting system both in terms of size and weight, while being less complicated and significantly less expensive. A generator that will have continuous output of 400-500 kW, to support a microwave based directed energy system, could provide powerbursts of up to 1.0 MW and support also (but not simultaneously) a laser system. IPS and Lockheed-Martin are currently working on developing a system consisting of a low duty cycle 1.O MW generator that can operate continuously at 500 KW.During Phase II, IPS intends to design and build a generator based on the technology developed throughout Phase I and II. A series of tests are planned to demonstrate performance and prove the technology."