A simulated lightning effects test facility for testing live and inert missiles and components

Abstract : Details of a simulated lightning effects test facility for testing live and inert missiles, motors, and explosive components is described. The test facility is designed to simulate the high current, continuing current, and high rate-of-rise current components of an idealized direct strike lightning waveform. The Lightning Test Facility has been in operation since May, 1988, and consists of three separate capacitor banks used to produce the lightning test components, a permanently fixed, large, steel safety cage for retaining the item under test should it be ignited during testing, an earth covered bunker housing the control/equipment room, a charge/discharge building containing the charging/discharging switching, a remotely located blockhouse from which the test personnel control hazardous testing, and interconnecting cables.