Shock and Vibration Analysis of a Communication System Subject to Nuclear Blast

Abstract

If a mobile, transportable, command, control, and communications system is expected to survive a near field nuclear explosion, the design must include protection of the equipment from the overpressure shock. The response of the equipment in a shelter subjected to nuclear overpressure for nominal overpressures of 2 psi and 4 psi has been simulated and shown to be much greater than the response to the shock and vibration environment which is normally specified for electronics--even military equipment. Including a shock isolation system in the simulation demonstrates that such an isolation system can attenuate the shock to more acceptable levels. Methods and tools are discussed which allow the simulation of the response to overpressure and the design of the isolation system.