On electric warship power system performance when meeting the energy requirements of electromagnetic railguns

摘要

This paper investigates the ability of a gas turbine alternator to provide power to an electromagnetic (EM) railgun in surface combatants whilst simultaneously maintaining acceptable levels of power quality for other consumers. Following the justification of the investigation and a description of the research methods, which includes a proposed EM railgun charging control system, this paper discusses simulated results obtained from a validated power system model for both single shot and salvo operations and identifies factors that limit the rates of fire in each case. The findings from the investigations suggest that a large gas turbine alternator is able to maintain quality of power supply within acceptable limits for the majority of EM railgun operations. However, the transient quality of power supply limits was found to be exceeded for heavy firing rates but would remain within tolerable limits as defined for exceptional loads by North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) standardization agreement (STANAG) 1008 Edition 9. A method to increase the maximum rate of fire whilst maintaining the quality of the power supply within acceptable limits is investigated by increasing the size of the energy storage device and retaining a residual charge. The paper concludes by suggesting that the EM railgun system could be integrated into the ship's electrical system without the need for any additional prime movers to achieve rates of fire commensurate with a surface combatant's requirements.