Firings of tactically-configured air-defense projectiles from a 90 mm electromagnetic rail gun

Electromagnetic railguns offer the potential of launching kinetic energy projectiles at higher energies and/or velocities than conventional powder guns. Recent firings of air defense projectiles of tactical configuration from a 90 mm electromagnetic railgun are beginning to demonstrate some of this potential. A Rodman Cone launch package, for example, achieved a record 6.35 MJ muzzle energy for plasma armatures at a velocity of 2.18 km/s with a launch mass of 2.67 kg. After sabot separation, the projectile perforated cleanly a four inch thick steel target at negligible angle of attack. Results of several recent firings are presented. The launch packages were accelerated by base-pushed, plasma armatures with composite-supported steel penetrators. These are the first projectiles of tactical configuration to achieve these muzzle energies and velocities from an electromagnetic railgun. Key to the success of these firings was the design, fabrication, integration, and testing approach implemented along with addressing critical issues unique to launching tactical projectiles from EM railguns.>