Progress in the development of a large-bore high-velocity helical electromagnetic launcher

Abstract

A 2 m barrel length × 300 mm bore diameter hollow-projectile helical electromagnetic launcher (HEML) has been designed and is being constructed and tested at the University of Missouri (MU) Center for Energy Conversion and Electromechanics (CECEM). The HEML is powered by a 6-module capacitive pulse forming network (PFN) with a total energy storage of 1 MJ. Each module of the PFN can be charged to different voltages and can be fired into the HEML at variable times, thereby accommodating the non-linear nature of the electromagnetic launcher load. Projectile mass is variable and tests up to 22 kg (projectile plus payload mass) are planned. The primary goal of the experimental arrangement is to accelerate a 22 kg projectile up to 70 m/s. Secondary goals include testing for maximum achievable velocity with a 2 kg projectile. Efficiency of energy conversion is a key concern for this facility. The HEML launcher is also a reversible geometry and is used to both accelerate and decelerate the projectile. The results of acceleration/deceleration tests are also be presented and discussed.