Accession Number:

ADA143778

Title:

Electromagnetic Launchers and Guns. Phase 1

Descriptive Note:

Final rept. Nov 1979-May 1980

Corporate Author:

MASSACHUSETTS INST OF TECH CAMBRIDGE

Personal Author(s):

• Kolm, H.
• Miller, R.

Report Date:

1980-06-01

Pagination or Media Count:

139.0

Abstract:

During the first six months phase one the group constructed a 65 KJ, 6 kV fast discharge capacitor bank, a 134 kJ, 900 V slow discharge bank, and a 245 kJ, 350 V mobile bank for field launching was started. Also completed was an accelerator test bench and a protected control and observation room instrumented with digital data processing equipment. Studies have been initiated on three acceleration mechanisms, and on the theoretical limitations in general. A helical railgun brush-commutated helical accelerator was bench-tested to 500 gee acceleration and 30 ms velocity achieved over a 12 inch section. A 20 foot, twin helix launcher and optimized cargo or reconnaissance glider were designed, for construction during phase two. Mass driver discrete-coil, synchronous accelerator coils were tested to destruction over a range of pulse conditions to gain an understanding of failure modes and develop improved designs for different ranges of operation. A momentum transformer has been constructed for transferring momentum from a pneumatically driven sabot to a smaller projectile. Theoretical studies indicate that the smallest vehicle capable of surviving a ground-based launch to earth escape velocity at reasonable atmospheric losses of mass and energy is a 25 kg, 6 cm caliber cylinder.

Descriptors:

• *ELECTROMAGNETISM
• *LAUNCHERS
• *LAUNCHING
• ACCELERATION
• COILS
• ESCAPE VELOCITY
• GLIDERS
• GUNS
• SABOT PROJECTILES

Subject Categories:

• Terminal Flight Facilities
• Machinery and Tools

Distribution Statement:

APPROVED FOR PUBLIC RELEASE