Iterative transient model for railgun electromechanical performance optimization

A numerical model is described that is used as a tool for analyzing and optimizing the interaction between a rail launcher and the driving pulse power system (PPS). For given projectile and launcher characteristics, the model determines the capacitor-based PPS configuration for optimal piezometric efficiency. The model was designed to handle both breech fed and distributed energy fed railguns with several module-triggering options. The user defines the parameters for the energy-storage modules, the launcher, and the projectile, and the model iterates through a number of modules and module connection timing to achieve optimum piezometric efficiency for a target muzzle velocity. An Excel spreadsheet is used as the user interface and Visual BASIC macros run to perform the time domain transient calculations.