Rugged HTS Wire Bundles for Shipboard Installation and Use

The Navy has explored the use of High Temperature Superconductors (HTS) to address some of their increasing power needs.  HTS Degaussing is the most developed application and HTS Degaussing has been designed into the LPD surface combatant.  Although HTS ADG is addressing the key challenges associated with copper DG systems, initial cable installations on LPD28 (lead ship) have identified some installation risks with HTS ADG cable that are unique to the HTS ADG cable fabrication process.  This risk is associated with the fact that HTS ADG cables are made to length, terminated and tested in the factory prior to shipping.  The termination and testing reduces installation time on the ship and mitigates light off risks respectively, however, the completed cable arriving to the shipyard at a fixed length presents a paradigm shift for the shipbuilder.  This length discrepancy was compensated for via several actions for the LPD28 platform but it has generated discussion on how to mitigate possible length discrepancies in future installs.  This proposal is an initial step in that effort.