DESIGN AND EVALUATION OF COILS FOR A 50-MM DIAMETER INDUCTION COILGUNLAUNCHER

Coilguns have the ability to provide magnetic pressure to projectiles which results in near constant acceleration. We have developed coils t o produce an effective projectile base pressure of 100 MPa (1kbar) as a step toward reaching base pressures of 200 MPa. The design uses a sc alable technology applicable to the entire range of breech to muzzle c oils of a multi-stage launcher. This paper presents the design of capa citor-driven coils for launching nominal 50 mm, 350 gram projectiles. Design criteria, constraints, mechanical stress analysis, launcher per formance, and test results are discussed.