Concepts

MACH2

A magnetohydrodynamic simulation code used by NumerEx LLC to model FRCHX, MAGO, and explosive flux-compression generators for LANL/AFRL.

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Timeline Mentions (8)

1970s

Discovery of FRC Anomalous Stability

Experiments at LANL discover that Field-Reversed Configurations (FRCs) are significantly more stable than predicted by MHD theory.

1979

MAGO project begins at VNIIEF (Russian nuclear weapons lab)

Russian MTF program at weapons lab. Communist Party decree. Same dual-use pattern as US.

1979

Discovery of Anomalous FRC Stability

LANL experiments FRX-A and FRX-B reveal FRCs are stable 100x longer than MHD theory predicts, though limited by n=2 rotational instabilities.

1981

FRX-B Operations and Anomalous Stability Discovery

Upgraded experiment FRX-B identifies the n=2 rotational instability and discovers that FRCs are 100x more stable than MHD theory predicts.

1990

MARAUDER program begins — AFRL fires compact toroid plasmoids as weapons

Shiva Star facility. 100 billion g acceleration. Explicitly NOT fusion. Same facility as FRCHX. The critical link.

1993

MARAUDER (August 1993): USAF compact toroid weapon, 100 billion g acceleration, Shiva Star, went dark mid-1990s

USAF Phillips Lab compact toroid weapon. 100 billion g acceleration. 9.5 MJ Shiva Star. 'Not a fusion program' — weapons. Physics identical to FRC. Went dark mid-1990s. Lineage: SHIVA I → MARAUDER → F

1993

MACH2 Explosive Model Developed

John J. Watrous and Michael H. Frese of NumerEx develop a dynamic explosive model for the MACH2 code to simulate explosive magnetic flux compression generators for LANL.

2000

FRX-L experiment begins at LANL

FRX-L theta-pinch FRC experiment for magnetized target fusion.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is MACH2?
A magnetohydrodynamic simulation code used by NumerEx LLC to model FRCHX, MAGO, and explosive flux-compression generators for LANL/AFRL.
How does MACH2 relate to other concepts?
MACH2 is closely related to FRCHX. These relationships are documented in the research glossary and cross-referenced with primary source documents.
When did MACH2 appear in the research timeline?
MACH2 is referenced in 8 timeline events, including "Discovery of FRC Anomalous Stability" (1970s). The timeline provides chronological context for the development and application of this concept.
Which entities are associated with MACH2?
4 entities are associated with MACH2 in the network graph, including Dr. Glen A. Wurden, FRCHX Experiment, Magneto-Rayleigh-Taylor Instability. Explore the network graph for full relationship mapping.