An Investigation of the Ballistic Performance for an Electromagnetic Gun-Launched Projectile.

Abstract

Abstract : The Cannon-Caliber Electromagnetic Gun (CCEMG) Program is a major effort toward proving the viability of electromagnetic (EM) weapons for future use by the armed services. Crucial to the success of the program are the operational characteristics of the launcher and the integrated launch package (ILP), which consists of an armature/sabot and a subprojectile. To date, 39 shots have been fired at the U.S. Army Research Laboratory (ARL) using a 1.6-MJ capacitor bank and CCEMG Launcher IIa. Free-flight aerodynamic data indicated that the subprojectile has adequate in-flight stability. An analysis of the transitional ballistic process has been performed to quantify the contributors to the total launch disturbance. The jump component dispersion and target impact dispersion are larger in the vertical direction than in the horizontal direction. In the vertical direction, the center of gravity and aerodynamic jump contributions are dominant and roughly equal. In the horizontal direction, the sabot discard is the dominant jump component. Round to round dispersion was computed over a wide range of launch velocities based on downrange impact locations. Impact data on armor were limited, but nonetheless indicated that the round is capable of meeting the CCEMG system requirements. The results presented here represent the first known experimental assessment of these parameters obtained from EM railgun firings.