Electromagnetic launched projectile compatibility

LTV Aerospace and Defense Company (LTVAD) using the company´s highly reliable, reusable electromagnetic (EM) railguns have conducted over 200 projectile launchings since the second Electromagnetic Launch Technology Symposium and have established a projectile/launcher data base covering interior as well as exterior ballistic considerations. Projectiles weighing 2 to 43 grams have been launched with the LTVAD EM launcher lab´s 12.7 and 20 mm railguns over the velocity range of 1.5 to 8.5 km/sec. This paper describes the interface and compatibility relationship between an EM launcher and the launch package during the interior ballistics of launch and the influence on the subsequent exterior ballistics. Some terminal effects and test descriptions conducted at LTVAD are presented along with associated projectile monitoring instrumentation utilized in determining projectile motion, integrity, orientation, flight characteristics, and impact phenomenology. This work was sponsored by the Army Ballistic Missile Advanced Technology Center.