Some Key Parameters for Rectangular Caliber Railgun System

Electromagnetic railgun is one of the most important new concept weapons. Some key parameters of a rectangular caliber railgun system-the thickness of the armature d(0), the width of the caliber X, the height of the caliber Y, the minimum length of the rail L, the amplitude of current I, and the pulsewidth of current t(0)-are studied in this paper. By introducing the current carrier margin coefficient named alpha, the ratio of armature thickness to railgun caliber width named beta, and the ratio of caliber height to caliber width named gamma, equations of some key parameters of the rectangular caliber railgun system are proposed. Based on analysis of the armature's electric heating capacity and mass, 0.7 is an appropriate value for alpha. Based on analysis of parameters of railguns, beta = 1/3 and gamma = 1 are appropriate for small and medium calibers, and beta < 1/3 and gamma = 1 are appropriate for large calibers.