‘Field’ guns: electromagnetic launchers

Abstract

The tank weapons of the future may be able to fire without any help from unstable, dangerous chemical reagents. Instead they may use electromagnetic guns. In an electromagnetic gun, the projectile is pushed by an electromagnetic field pressure. In principle this force can be propagated at the speed of light, so in principle, the electromagnetic gun should be able to produce much higher velocities than powder guns. As well as the higher muzzle velocity, the EM gun has logistical advantages for the tank crew that has to use it. These advantages come at a cost in terms of convenience, however. The gun system has a low energy density, which means that the launcher must be heavier and bulkier than a conventional gun barrel. The author describes the formation of the railgun armatures and the design of railguns. The research being carried out in this area in the UK is discussed. The testing of the guns is also discussed.