Electromagnetic launcher: a new weapon
Using electromagnetic (EM) forces to accelerate projectiles is not a new idea; it dates back to the first part of this century. The idea has been revitalized, however, by some recent work done in this area. There are two basic types of electromagnetic accelerators: those that rely on induced currents to provide the Lorentz force that accelerates the projectile (ac), and those that rely on direct current (dc). The ac accelerators are characterized by the potential for very high electrical to mechanical (kinetic energy) conversion efficiencies and relatively low accelerating forces. The dc accelerators produce much higher acceleration, but with lower efficiency. This is the type of interest for weapons applications. The higher accelerations will permit much shorter barrel lengths, minimizing pointing and tracking difficulties. There are several perceived advantages to using EM launching for weapons applications. Higher muzzle velocities than can be achieved with conventional ordnance will minimize the projectile time-of-flight to the target; this is of particular interest for air-defense applications against maneuvering targets and for penetrator launching. The potential for precise current (hence acceleration) control promises lower peak accelerations that the projectile must withstand, and much more precise muzzle velocity control, permitting the use of smart projectiles and continuous zoning for artillery applications. The principles behind EM accelerators, particularly dc accelerators (railguns), the recent history of their development, their advantages for weapons applications, the general requirements, potential problem areas that must be faced by designers, and the work that has been done by researchers at Livermore and Los Alamos National Laboratories in accelerating 3-g projectiles to 10 km/s, and larger masses to lower velocities are discussed.
- Research Organization:
- Lawrence Livermore National Lab., CA (USA)
- DOE Contract Number:
- W-7405-ENG-48
- OSTI ID:
- 6064803
- Report Number(s):
- UCRL-85877; CONF-811033-1; ON: DE81029979
- Resource Relation:
- Conference: 6. international symposium on ballistics, Orlando, FL, USA, 22 Oct 1981
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
Similar Records
Summary of EM launcher experiments performed at LLNL
Fusion fuel pellet injection with a railgun