The electrical power generation system including a micro-turbine alternator. The micro-turbine alternator including a combustor, at least one turbine configured to be driven by an exhaust from the combustor, at least one compressor operably connected to the combustor to provide a compressed airflow to the combustor, one or more shafts connecting the at least one turbine to the at least one compressor such that rotation of the at least one turbine drives rotation of the at least one compressor, and a recuperator configured to transfer heat from the exhaust exiting the at least one turbine to the compressed airflow from the at least one compressor entering the combustor.