Abstract: A dynamic pressure testing or calibration system packaged as a portable unit for characterizing pressure sensors, such as transducers. Embodiments are packaged for carry on the body, are battery-operated, compatible with existing transducer mounts, and quickly learned and easily used by a single operator. The system supplies a pre-specified impulse (pressure pulse) of fluid, preferably a benign gas, such as air, or an inert gas such as helium or nitrogen. In select embodiments, the gas pulse has a fast rise time and its amplitude may be varied over a pre-specified dynamic range. For example, the rise time may emulate that of an impulse created during an explosion by a resultant pressure wave, i.e., less than 100 microseconds. Embodiments also incorporate a data acquisition capability that accurately captures and records both the supplied impulse and the response of the sensor under test.