MAINSTREAM ENGINEERING CORP — Department of Defense SBIR Phase I: N172-130

Description

Acceleration of a launch package from a railgun is a disruptive technology with capabilities to launch projectiles in a shorter time-to-target and a greater effectiveness at long range. However, these railguns generate tremendous magnetic fields of up to 20 Telsa. These magnetic fields pose a threat to on-board, mission-critical electronics within the launch package. Mainstream Engineering Corporation will develop electromagnetic shielding to protect sensitive, on-board electronics from the magnetic fields produced in railgun operation. Mainstream Engineering will develop its layered electromagnetic shielding technology with a minimal thickness and weight. The shield will be composed of alternating layers of a conductive material and a proprietary, high magnetic permeability material to provide maximum shielding at a minimal thickness. Mainstream will demonstrate the concept in a sub-scale prototype in Phase I leading to full prototype delivery and testing in a relevant environment in Phase II. The final shielding material will be able to shield sensitive electronics from a 1-10 Telsa magnetic field for millisecond duration and demonstrate a compressive strength of greater than 100 kpsi.