Current and heat transport in the solid-armature railgun

A numerical model is developed for solving the equations which predict current and heat transport in a series-augmented, solid-armature railgun. The model is two dimensional and fully time dependent. Specific calculations are then carried out to analyze the armature recently designed and developed in the Cannon Caliber Electromagnetic Launcher Program. The most extensive computations are for a situation in which the projectile is started at rest and accelerated to nearly 2 km/s in a time of 2 ms. Results of the calculations can be used to infer, for example, where melting in the armature is most likely to occur and where the electromagnetic stresses are largest. For comparison, calculations are also presented for a situation in which the projectile is held fixed. These calculations are intended to demonstrate the importance of velocity effects in the design of solid-armature railguns.<>