Integrated launch package design with considerations for reduced-scale demonstration

The design of an integrated launch package (ILP) for an electromagnetic railgun is considered. A code incorporating analytical engineering expressions for thermal and mechanical loads is used. The armature linear current density and armature and rail pressures are used to define the range of solutions based on mission requirements and subprojectile criteria. Characteristics for large- and reduced-scale launcher and ILP solutions are presented, which are consistent with mission requirements. Single-taper sabot configurations are used to illustrate the methodology.