Analytical Study of the Injection of a Moving Projectile Into a Railgun

Calculations are performed for an initially moving projectile into a railgun. The injection velocity is provided by a 26-mm-diameter conventional propellant gun. A plasma armature is assumed for the railgun. A capacitor-based pulsed-power supply, located at Barricade C, Aberdeen Proving Ground, MD, is assumed to provide the electrical energy for boosting the velocity to 2.5 km/s. Various scenarios are examined with respect to electrical pulse shape, the effect on stored electrical energy, and its distribution in the railgun. Three types of comparisons are used to illustrate the effect of injection velocity on stored electrical energy: 1) efficiency; 2) peak loads; and 3) energy storage. Examples for each category are discussed, illustrating complementary areas for propellant gun and railgun operation. Results are promising; however, the initial velocity must be considered in detailed simulations in order for any advantages to be realized.