Tokamak Energy Partners with General Atomics on DARPA's Silent Submarine Propulsion Program
- MM24 News Desk
- 3 days ago
- 3 min read
A UK technology firm, Tokamak Energy, has been contracted by U.S. defense giant General Atomics to supply its advanced high-temperature superconducting (HTS) magnet technology for a next-generation submarine program. The collaboration, part of DARPA's PUMP initiative, aims to develop a nearly silent magnetohydrodynamic (MHD) drive, a propulsion system with no moving parts that could redefine stealth capabilities for undersea warfare.
What if the tell-tale sound of a submarine's propeller, a signature that has dominated naval stealth concerns for decades, could be eliminated entirely? This is the goal of a groundbreaking collaboration between Tokamak Energy and General Atomics, who are tackling one of the Pentagon's most ambitious challenges: creating a viable magnetohydrodynamic drive. Launched in 2023, the Defense Advanced Research Project Agency’s (DARPA) Principles of Undersea Magnetohydrodynamic Pumps (PUMP) programme seeks to overcome the technical hurdles that have kept MHD propulsion in the realm of science fiction for over half a century.
The core challenge, reported New Atlas, has been twofold: creating powerful yet compact magnets and developing durable electrode materials that can withstand the harsh electrochemical environment of seawater. This is where the specialized expertise of each partner comes into play. Tokamak Energy will focus on the simulation, design, and fabrication of the crucial HTS magnets. Their technology, derived from the quest for fusion energy, is capable of generating the incredibly strong magnetic fields required for MHD within a compact package, a necessity for submarine design.
Meanwhile, General Atomics will handle the complex integration of the magnet system with auxiliary components and coordinate with prime contractor HRL Laboratories, which is developing the novel electrode technology. "We are proud to be part of this groundbreaking collaboration and to provide our expertise in advanced magnet system integration," said John Smith, senior director of Projects and Engineering for General Atomics Energy Group. He emphasized that the partnership combines unique strengths to "overcome long-standing barriers in magnetohydrodynamic propulsion."
So, how does this futuristic drive actually work? Instead of a noisy propeller churning the water, an MHD drive generates thrust by passing an electric current through seawater within a powerful magnetic field. This interaction creates a force that pushes the water backward, silently propelling the vessel forward. The absence of rotating mechanical parts doesn't just reduce noise; it also promises greater reliability and efficiency compared to conventional systems.
The linchpin of this entire system is the magnet. Tokamak Energy is leveraging its years of experience with rare-earth barium copper oxide (REBCO) superconducting materials. Through advanced winding and manufacturing techniques honed in their fusion energy research, the company has demonstrated the ability to create robust magnets generating fields as high as 24 Tesla. For perspective, that's over 400,000 times stronger than the Earth's magnetic field. This immense power is essential for creating a militarily relevant MHD drive.
Dr Liam Brennan, Director of TE Magnetics, Tokamak Energy’s specialist business division launched in September 2024 to commercialize this technology, explained the broader significance. "This contract is another step towards realising a military relevant scale magnetohydrodynamic drive," he stated. "We’re excited to demonstrate how our HTS technology, born from our mission to deliver limitless, clean fusion energy, can enable a broad range of applications with significant industrial and commercial value." This DARPA program represents a 42-month effort to finally solve the electrode materials challenge, bringing a once-futuristic concept closer to reality and potentially altering the future of naval operations.
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