Some Key Parameters for Rectangular Caliber Railgun System

Electromagnetic railgun is one of the most important new concept weapons. Some key parameters of a rectangular caliber railgun system - the thickness of the armature d₀ , the width of the caliber X, the height of the caliber Y, the minimum length of the rail L, the amplitude of current I, and the pulsewidth of current t₀ - are studied in this paper. By introducing the current carrier margin coefficient named α , the ratio of armature thickness to railgun caliber width named β , and the ratio of caliber height to caliber width named γ , equations of some key parameters of the rectangular caliber railgun system are proposed. Based on analysis of the armature´s electric heating capacity and mass, 0.7 is an appropriate value for α. Based on analysis of parameters of railguns, β = 1/3 and γ ≤ 1 are appropriate for small and medium calibers, and β <; 1/3 and γ = 1 are appropriate for large calibers.