High Temperature Superconducting Degaussing From Feasibility Study to Fleet Adoption

The need for increased magnetic signature control on Navy ships has lead to the development and adoption of a three axis advanced degaussing system. While this system is effective in reducing the ship magnetic signature, it requires significantly more copper cable than the legacy two axis systems. Degaussing only requires DC currents for field manipulation. Since DC applications is where HTS use excels, a feasibility study was conducted in FY04 to determine the benefits of HTS when used in an advanced degaussing system. Results showed reduced system size and weight, while remaining cost neutral. A series of lab based demonstrations were conducted proving out key aspects of an HTS DG system, most notably cooling a long length of flexible cryostat with gaseous helium. This led to an at sea demonstration of a single HTS DG loop aboard the USS Higgins. This was the first HTS system installed on an active combatant, and it made a successful magnetic range run in April 2009 demonstrating its capability to perform in a naval environment. This paper details the development of the HTS DG system from the initial feasibility study through the successful demonstration onboard the USS HIGGINS.