The IAT Electromagnetic Launch Research Facility

A new electromagnetic launcher research facility is being constructed at the Institute for Advanced Technology (IAT). IAT is federated with the Army Research Laboratory and The University of Texas at Austin. The mission and support for the IAT comes from the U.S. Army. A major task assigned to the IAT is to support the Army's tactical programs in electric armaments by conducting long-term basic and applied research in electrodynamics. The Launch Research Facility is a key element in this long-term plan. It provides a flexible power system comprising thirteen 1- MJ capacitor banks, an assortment of electromagnetic launcher apparatus designed for research and an extensive set of diagnostic apparatus. The focus of the research activity will be on solid and hybrid armatures, rail-armature interactions, and materials required for electromagnetic launchers.