Title :
Development of an advanced electromagnetic gun barrel
Author :
Hurn, T.W. ; Aoust, J.D. ; Sevier, L. ; Johnson, R. ; Wesley, J.
Author_Institution :
General Atomics, San Diego, CA, USA
fDate :
1/1/1993 12:00:00 AM
Abstract :
An advanced electromagnetic gun (AEMG) barrel was developed for the US Air Force Wright Laboratory (Armament Directorate) to repetitively accelerate large mass projectiles. The AEMG barrel used 5-m rails, had a 50-mm square bore, and was designed to operate at a peak current of 1.5 MA (bore pressure 25 ksi). Key technical achievements included (1) an efficient barrel containment structure that weighs approximately 25% of a similarly rated clamped barrel; (2) an insulator material that retains surface resistivity after repeated firings; and (3) a high-velocity water cooling system designed to remove a peak heat flux of 5 MJ/m2 per shot. A 2-m prototype of the AEMG barrel was tested in a 4-MJ electromagnetic launcher test facility
Keywords :
electromagnetic launchers; weapons; 1.5 MA; 160 MPa; 2 m; 4 MJ; 5 m; 50 mm; US Air Force Wright Laboratory (Armament Directorate); advanced electromagnetic gun barrel; barrel containment structure; bore pressure; electromagnetic launcher test facility; heat flux; high-velocity water cooling system; insulator material; large mass projectiles; prototype; repeated firings; square bore; surface resistivity; Acceleration; Boring; Conductivity; Cooling; Electromagnetic forces; Firing; Insulation; Projectiles; Rails; Water heating;
Journal_Title :
Magnetics, IEEE Transactions on
