A New Approach for Modeling Electromagnetic Railguns

In this paper, a new approach for modeling electromagnetic railguns is proposed. The model´s simplicity makes it suitable for sensitive analysis and optimization procedures. For validation, the railgun is simulated by a 3-D finite-element method (FEM) using Maxwell software and the results are compared with existing experimental data. Circuit model simulation results verified the accuracy of the model as they are very close to the experimental ones. As multistage railgun is one of the greatest improvements in railgun expansions, a successful attempt is made for the new circuit model to include this, as evidenced by comparing the results of multistage railgun model with those of the FEM.