Summary of EM launcher experiments performed at LLNL

Journal Article · Sat Nov 01 04:00:00 EST 1986 · IEEE Trans. Magn.; (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1109/TMAG.1986.1064716· OSTI ID:5732615

Hawke, R S; Nellis, W J; Newman, G H; Rego, J; Susoeff, A R

Performance results for three railguns are summarized. The system used a helium gas-driven injector and railgun launcher to accelerate 1- and 4-g polycarbonate projectiles intact up to 6.6 and 3.0 km/s, respectively. A 625 kJ capacitor bank powered the railgun, and an adjustable inductor provided pulsed shaping and peak current control. Operation in hard and soft vacuum was reliably achieved. The diagnostic system measured the projectile position and launch velocity, verified that the projectile was launched intact in the desired direction, and identified system components where improvements could enhance performance. The system performed as expected up to 4-5 km/s but below expectations at higher velocities. Estimates of ablated launcher mass, drag forces, methods of eliminating restrike, and suggestions for improving the performance of railguns are discussed.

• Research Organization: Lawrence Livermore National Lab.
• DOE Contract Number: W-7405-ENG-48
• OSTI ID: 5732615
• Journal Information: IEEE Trans. Magn.; (United States), Journal Name: IEEE Trans. Magn.; (United States) Vol. MAG-22:6; ISSN IEMGA
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

42 ENGINEERING
420800* -- Engineering-- Electronic Circuits & Devices-- (-1989)
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