New Steps in EML Research in Russia

The overview summarizes the main electromagnetic activities in Russia since the 13th Electromagnetic Launch Technology Symposium in 2006. This research has been focused on the development and improvement of electric-discharge launchers, railguns, and electrothermal-chemical launchers. Research efforts have been directed toward studying the physical phenomena and processes limiting the attainment of high velocities and life time of launchers. Considerable attention has been paid to solving problems related to material erosion, the manufacture of new materials and their testing in high-current arc discharges and the search for new applications of launchers in science and engineering.