As high-energy laser (HEL) technology advances to the point where shipboard laser weapons are an imminent reality, the challenge of ship integration has also become a reality. In addition to the space occupied, a HEL has particular powering and cooling requirements that may be difficult for many ships to accommodate. Lasers typically operate on DC power, with very high electrical ramp rates and within a narrow operating temperature range. Similar to other types of directed energy weapon (DEW) technologies, powering a laser for repeated firing is accomplished through a combination of energy storage and generation. Energy storage provides the fast discharge needed to produce a "square wave" demand profile, while generation provides capability for a high number of shots. An optimally designed system must utilize a balance between generation and storage to provide continuous operation, or "endless magazine," while minimizing additional shipboard equipment and strain on existing systems. This paper will detail the specific challenges of powering and cooling DEW systems aboard ships with a specific focus on near-term HEL systems. The recommended approach to meeting these challenges includes: (1) an appropriate balance between power generation and energy storage, (2) robust transient simulation of the complete electromechanical system, and (3) a thoughtful cooling system design that efficiently provides isothermality to the laser.
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