Pulsed Portable Magnetohydrodynamic Power System Program

A pulsed portable 15-MW sub(e) magnetohydrodynamic (MHD) power system, called the Pamir-3U, was designed, built, and tested. The system is powered by three solid propellant rocket engines that deliver the working fluid to the MHD channels. The magnetic field was provided by four conventional, self-excited ellipsoid copper coils. The power unit is self-contained and operates independently of any external support equipment. The objective of this program was to provide a pulsed power system capable of delivering 15 MW of electrical power to the load for a 6- to 10-s duration with a total system mass of less than 18,000 kg. During the program, five preliminary acceptance tests and eight final acceptance tests were successfully conducted. These tests achieved the performance goals of the program and demonstrated the capability of the Pamir-3U power system in a variety of operating modes.