“DARPA’s PUMP Program: Developing Revolutionary Silent Propulsion Technology for Undetectable Submarines”

The Pentagon wants its future submarines to be totally undetectable, so it has launched a new program to develop a new absolutely silent propulsion technology, impossible to locate by other submarines or the oceanic defense microphones that powers like China or Russia have installed on their coasts. These submarines could literally launch nuclear missiles from the coast of these countries without ever being located, destroying the enemy in a matter of minutes without any possibility of answer.

To achieve this, the United States Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency has launched a revolutionary program that could change the future of naval propulsion. The program, called PUMPaims to develop a maritime propulsion system that uses magnetohydrodynamic (MHD) technologya system that uses magnets and an electrical current to propel ships and boats no moving parts. Having no mechanical parts or propellers, there is no engine noise or possibility of cavitatethe noisy phenomenon that occurs when you mechanically displace water, creating a vacuum that is immediately replaced by other water molecules.

The advantages and challenges of magnetohydrodynamic technology

As the military publication Naval Technology points out, MHD thrusters present significant advantages for defense and naval warfare. First of all, having no moving parts, reduce noise and vibration, making detection of moving submarines and drones impossible. Additionally, MHD thrusters could theoretically propel submarines at highest speed underwater, far exceeding the capacity of traditional propulsion systems. They would also offer a increased maneuverability because the MHD thruster can in theory exert force in any direction instantaneously instead of relying on fins and rudders.

However, there are also disadvantages: Although they are more difficult to detect by sonar due to their silent operation, the use of strong magnetic fields could make MHD-equipped ships detectable with systems capable of finding magnetic anomalies. Additionally, MHD thrusters may require large amounts of electrical energywhich could mean that ships using this technology need a more powerful generator.

The PUMP program also faces important challenges such as the corrosion y erosion to which the electrodes are subjected during use. To solve this problem, DARPA is investigating various methods to reduce these effects, developing new materials that meet the strict requirements and operational limits of this type of critical weapon. In addition, the PUMP program will create multi-physics modeling and simulation tools for scaling MHD systems.

The Hunt for Red October

The MHD drive concept is not new. Its origin dates back to the Sixties decade, when small experiments were performed. Recent advances in the generation of high-intensity magnetic fields have overcome the first technology barrier: the challenge of scaling the MHD thruster technology so that it can move great ships like a nuclear attack submarine.

The best record for a magnetohydrodynamic thruster was achieved in 1992 with the Yamato-1, a 30-meter vessel that managed to reach a speed of 6.6 knots while maintaining an efficiency of approximately 30%. In recent years, the commercial nuclear fusion industry has made significant progress in the development of Rare Earth Barium Copper Oxide Magnets (REBCO), which has demonstrated the ability to generate large-scale magnetic fields of up to 20 Tesla, which could result in 90% efficiency in a magnetohydrodynamic drive.

DARPA’s PUMP program is a significant step forward in naval technology. If successful, it may bring us closer to the mythical “caterpillar engine” postulated by Tom Clancy in the film’s fictional Red October submarine. The Hunt for Red October. Although the MHD drive from the PUMP program is not exactly the same as the fictional tracked motor, the magnetic propulsion principles are exactly the same.

If DARPA succeeds, the MHD will revolutionize warfare and naval defense, ushering in a new era of stealth and efficiency in maritime technology that could deliver nuclear missiles to the beaches of any country in complete secrecy. as he said Captain Marko Ramius (Sean Connery) on film: “Once more, we play our dangerous game, a game of chess against our old adversary.” If the US succeeds, it will be closer than ever to becoming an uncontested power. Or, to paraphrase Robert Oppenheimer, who was quoting an ancient Hindu writing, it will have the power to become Death, the destroyer of the world. The bad thing is that, just like with the atomic bomb, China will soon have the same technology and we will end up where we started, but much worse.

The Pentagon wants its future submarines to be totally undetectable, so it has launched a new program to develop a new absolutely silent propulsion technology, impossible to locate by other submarines or the oceanic defense microphones that powers like China or Russia have installed on their coasts. These submarines could literally launch nuclear missiles off the coast of these countries without ever being located, destroying the enemy in a matter of minutes without any possibility of answer.