»dp002221 Measurements and Theoretical Analysis of a Full Scale Nemp Type Lightning Simulator for Aerospace Vehicles

. \ In an earlier paper, it was suqqested that peakinq capacitors such as are used in nuclear electromaqnetic pulse simulators be used to supply the fast current rise times which have been indicated in recent researches in the field of liqhtninq spherics and liqhtninq strikes to aircraft. A more quantitative experimental and analytical study has been undertaken to examine the feasilibiiity and the siqnificant parameters for such a system. The results of the studies have indicated that averaqe liqhtninq currents of 20,000 to 40,000 amperes with moderately fast rise times of 100 nanoseconds (which is an order of maqnitude improvement ) can be achieved fairly economically, but that rise times of the order of 30 to 50 nanoseconds would increase the cost and desiqn difficulties siqnificantly. What remains to be determined is the statistical distribution of currents and risetimes in strikes to aircraft. A number of fliqht research proqrams are currently underway which are accumulatinq data for establishment of new rise time test standards.