Award Title: 089-2021-9220 - Improved Marx Pulse Generator for HPM Systems Program: SBIR Phase I Total Award Amount: $239,811 Contract Number: N68335-21-C-0851 Agency Tracking Number: N212-121-0466 Solicitation Topic Code: N212-121 Solicitation Number: 21.2 Awardee Name: SCIENTIFIC APPLICATIONS & RESEARCH ASSOCIATES, INC. Address: 6300 GATEWAY DR, CYPRESS, CA, 90630-4844, USA Award Year: 2022 UEI: MXT5BGZX32S3 HUBZone Owned: No Woman Owned: No Socially and Economically Disadvantaged: No Congressional District: 47 Agency: Department of Defense (DOD / DOW) Branch: NAVY High power microwave (HPM) systems require high voltage, high current, nanosecond duration pulses to generate radio frequency (RF) signals. These sources have seen a great deal of advancement in recent years, allowing for the deployment of next generation HPM weapons. To adequately demonstrate these next generation HPM sources, reliable, long lifetime, and easy to use pulsed power systems are required to drive them. The well-known Marx generator is commonly used in such cases. However, traditional Marx generators, relying on spark gap switches and cumbersome gas plumbing systems have limitations to system lifetime and maximum repetition rate. These limitations can be mitigated with development of new Marx generator concepts. Taking a new look at the standard gas insulated, spark gap switched topology could improve system lifetime and reliability by taking advantage of cutting-edge spark gap electrode profiles and materials, as well as advanced gas flow analysis and techniques to reduce required plumbing connections. Further, employing a more innovative approach, a new Marx generator concept could capitalize on the recent advancements in solid state switching technology, allowing for fully solid-state GW class HPM drivers. Herein, SARA Inc. proposes the development of a new Marx generator concept intended to drive HPM sources. The described development begins with a SWAP-C trade study between a spark gap switched Marx generator topology and a completely solid-state Marx generator with a semiconductor opening switch (SOS) output stage. The ideal topology will be down selected and a complete design for an advanced Marx generator is developed. Solicitation Year: 2021 Award Year: 2022 Award Start Date: October 20, 2021 Award End Date: January 20, 2023 Principal Investigator: Name: Sam Dickerson Phone: (719) 302-3117 Email: [email protected] Business Contact: Name: Ruth Craig Phone: (714) 224-4410 Email: [email protected] Research Institution: Name: N/A