Recent research was revived interest in electromagnetic railguns. A railgun utilizes the Lorentz force to accelerate an electrically conducting armature, which in turn accelerates a projectile. Our investigation identified the critical parameter that will lead to limits on railgun operation. These limits were incorporated in calculations of the performance of railguns. The calculations indicate that it is possible with present technology to accelerate a projectile to velocities in excess of 20 km/s.
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California Univ., Livermore (USA). Lawrence Livermore Lab.
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Livermore, California
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Recent research was revived interest in electromagnetic railguns. A railgun utilizes the Lorentz force to accelerate an electrically conducting armature, which in turn accelerates a projectile. Our investigation identified the critical parameter that will lead to limits on railgun operation. These limits were incorporated in calculations of the performance of railguns. The calculations indicate that it is possible with present technology to accelerate a projectile to velocities in excess of 20 km/s.
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Hawke, R. S. & Scudder, J. K.Magnetic propulsion railguns: their design and capabilities,
article,
May 8, 1979;
Livermore, California.
(https://digital.library.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metadc1110709/:
accessed May 20, 2024),
University of North Texas Libraries, UNT Digital Library, https://digital.library.unt.edu;
crediting UNT Libraries Government Documents Department.
