Inductive acceleration of moving projectiles and synchronization between the driving field and the projectile motion

One of the main problems of multistage induction launchers is the synchronization between the fields of the stator coils and the projectile motion. Numerical calculations with a simulation code as well as experiments to accelerate projectiles with initial velocities up to 500 m/s, carried out in a small calibre test launcher with a gas gun as preaccelerator and a single electromagnetic stage, showed the importance of the correct timing of the stator coil current in relation to the projectile position and velocity. Some typical test results are reported, discussed and compared with results of numerical simulation.<>