Compact, Deployable Ultra Lightweight Multi-Megawatt Nuclear Power Systems for Very Long Range Electromagnetic Launchers

Very compact, ultra lightweight nuclear reactor systems that can be rapidly deployed by existing military transport vehicles are described. They can provide multi- megawatts of continuous electric power at remote locations without needing large scale logistic supply of fuel for conventional diesel-electric generators. Such power systems enable important new military capabilities, including electromagnetic launchers to deliver large projectiles at ranges of hundreds of miles. The DEER (Deployable Electric Energy Reactor) system is based on existing nuclear reactor and power conversion technology that has operated safely and reliably for decades in many nuclear power plants world-wide. Two types of DEER reactor systems are described in detail. DEER-1 uses the TRIGA hydride nuclear fuel now in dozens of research reactors operating world-wide, with a conventional water coolant/steam turbine power system. Two DEER-1 designs are described in detail. DEER-1-10 generates ~ 10 megawatts of continuous electric power, while DEER-1-50 generates 50 megawatts. After shutdown, the DEER reactor module can be safely transported away from its operating base, with the external radiation level outside its integral tungsten shield low enough that the dose to handling personnel is well below guidelines. The advanced DEER-2 reactor system, which is even smaller and lighter than DEER-1, is also described. It uses the small (~ 1 millimeter diameter) TRISO fuel particles that are widely used in High Temperature Reactors around the World. In the DEER-2 reactor, packed beds of TRISO particles are cooled with water, enabling very high power density and a very small reactor volume. When the DEER-2 reactor shuts down at the end of its mission, the radioactive TRISO particles are hydraulically unloaded into a small shielded cask for shipment back to a depot. The DEER-2 reactor modules are considerable smaller and lighter than the DEER-1 modules. At a firing rate of 1 projectile per minute, the 10 MW(e) DEER system can deliver 600 megajoules of energy per EML launch, while the 50 MW(e) system can deliver 3 gigajoules per launch. For comparison, a 100 kg long range projectile at 3 km/sec has a kinetic energy of 450 megajoules. The DEER system will enable rapid fire of heavy projectiles over distances of hundreds of miles.