SDIO pulsed power R&D requirements

The Strategic Defense Initiative Organization (SDIO) performs pulse power research and technology base development to satisfy the requirements of six major systems: neutral particle beams, space-based free electron lasers, ground-based lasers, electromagnetic launchers, laser radars, and high power microwaves. The research is focused on component development, with mass, volume, and efficiency being the key technology drivers. Order-of-magnitude improvements are required in order to meet the requirements. These development efforts overall include the power conditioning devices and components that are needed to match the electrical characteristics of the power source with those required by the load. Technology areas include energy storage, switching, and power conversion. The authors detail the specific component requirements and two space experiments integrating developmental components: the space power experiment aboard rocket (SPEAR) and the beam power experiment aboard rocket (BEAR)