80 kW, 1/3 Hz repetitive-fire PFN electrothermal launchers

A modular PFN storing 1/4 MJ at 16 kV has been operated to 1/3 Hz into an electrothermal-chemical gun-like dummy load. Repetition rate performance of the critical PFN components was validated: (1) low prefire rate and good blocking performance for the triggered vacuum gaps as output switches; (2) low loss, shielded inductors at energy density near 10 J/cc, with vastly reduced external magnetic fields; (3) thermal limitations of the 2.5 J/cc metalized electrode, PVDF dielectric capacitors; and (4) noise-immune performance of the computer-based command, control and diagnostics system. The PFN module accumulated over 1600 full energy shots. Superb rep-fire repeatability was indicated with a standard deviation for the output energy of less than /spl plusmn/0.25%.