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Railgun Technology
William Meier, Physics Department
Phone: (831) 656-3227
email: wmaier@nps.edu
Research Overview
Military Program Objectives:
- Long range (>200 mile) naval fire support
- Direct fire weapons for armor penetration
Critical Railgun Issues:
Barrel Design
Rail Life
Power Conditioning
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NPS Innovative Research:
Test new barrel concepts
Conducting lubricants, rail design, armature design, and materials
Power supplies |
Power Supply Construction
Projects
1. Test operational prospects for new barrel concepts
2. Projectile/rail designs and materials for improved bore life
3. Railgun test facility with high-velocity projectile capability
4. Innovative power supply designs
5. Improved understanding of barrel recoil
6. Educate Navy officers about EML technology
Status
1. Successful tests of some new barrels
2. Some improved projectile designs proposed
2. Army infantry railgun round designed
3. 60-cm railgun testbed operational
3. Various rail and interface materials being tested
4. 50-kA Pulse Forming Inductive Network module tested
4. Thyristor-switched supply designed and being assembled
5. Frictionless electrical contacts investigation
6. Railgun class notes ready, course regularly taught
6. 17 EML thesis students 2005-now
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