Dynamic simulation of capacitor-based electric gun systems for naval applications

The dynamic simulation of an electrothermal chemical (ETC) gun system utilizing capacitor-based energy storage and gas turbine prime power is examined. A comparison of system responses for both dedicated and shared prime power source configurations confirms that both modes are feasible. The dynamic analysis/simulation indicates that the pulsed power supply for an ETC gun can be extracted from the ship´s propulsion system. Sharing power between shipboard combat and propulsion systems has negligible impact on ship performance at high speeds. Due to a large reserve of kinetic energy in the propulsion system the pulsed load is isolated, to a certain degree, from the gas turbines. The impact of the weapon´s system power supply on propulsion performance at low speeds may become significant due to the inertial load encountered in attempting to speed up the generator while connected to the propeller shaft. In these cases, and when the ship is at anchor, the turbine/generator should be declutched from the rest of the main reduction gear for dedicated weapons duty. Once declutched, the power system dynamics should follow the results presented for the dedicated turbine configuration