Vulnerability studies of high-speed compulsators

The utilization of high-speed compulsators is central to the success of the electromagnetic pulsed power launch systems under development. The efficient use of these high-energy storage devices depends, in turn, on high-strength carbon composite bands for attaining sufficient speed, and thus energy levels, without disintegrating. While advances in material science allowed significant improvements in the performance of the latest generation of compulsators, a growing concern is their vulnerability to ballistic impact. A comprehensive experimental study using a scaled but realistic version of an operational compulsator is presented. A set of two test rotors consisting of several layers, including a simulated coil section and an outer carbon confining shell, was tested. The rotors were spun to approximately 18 000 r/min in a high-speed test facility, and shaped charges were fired at the outer shell at normal incidence. The results of a set of experiments are presented, showing damage ranging from benign to complete failure, depending on the impact energy level.