Thermal storage for high load short duration cooling

A method of operating a thermal management system for a directed energy weapon, the method comprising:

• circulating a thermal management fluid through a closed loop system including a first heat exchanger and a second heat exchanger, and a thermal storage device, the first heat exchanger being in thermal communication with the directed energy weapon and the second heat exchanger being in thermal communication with a secondary system;
• operating the directed energy weapon in a firing mode, wherein in the firing mode, heat from the directed energy weapon is transferred to the secondary system and the thermal storage device;
• and
• operating the directed energy weapon in a charging mode, wherein in the charging mode, heat stored within the thermal storage device is transferred to the thermal management fluid.