High Voltage Fireset/Electric Gun System Development

The development of high-performance, precision explosive munitions systems depends on accurate and reproducible detonation performance, alongside the validation of computational simulation programs known as hydrocodes. Electrically driven detonation initiators, such as Explosive Foil Initiators (EFI) and Exploding Bridgewires (EBW), require precise High Voltage (HV) pulsed discharges generated by electronic systems known as firesets. Current HV firesets vary in size and performance, from small, integrated packages for munitions to larger laboratory systems. However, researchers at the Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL) and other defense entities face limitations with existing HV firesets, impacting advancements in fuze and detonator technology due to constraints in precision, timing, control, and energy characteristics. To overcome these challenges, Integrated Solutions for Systems (IS4S) proposes developing a next-generation HV fireset. This new system aims to enhance HV pulse discharge characteristics to better support EFI initiation and Insensitive Munitions (IM) detonation research. By leveraging IS4S's extensive experience in pulse power and high voltage systems, the proposed 60kV Fireset Capacitive Discharge Unit (CDU) will meet AFRL's requirements for improved performance. This advancement will facilitate precise munitions development, optimize subsystem components, and verify hydrocode predictions, ultimately leading to breakthroughs in detonation sciences and enhanced explosive munitions performance.