Analysis of Ram Acceleration for High Velocity Applications

Abstract

Ram acceleration is an emerging propulsion technology which appears capable of producing very high velocities with significant masses. Work at the University of Washington has demonstrated velocities in excess of 2.6 km/s in 38-mm caliber, while theory predicts velocities in excess of 10 km/s may be obtainable, Following a brief introduction to the theory of ram acceleration, advantages and disadvantages of the technology for large caliber hypervelocity applications are examined. An empirical performance analysis of a scaled-up ram accelerator (120-mm) is presented and compared to a theoretical analysis of conventional solid propulsion. A theoretical and experimental program ongoing at the Ballistic Research Laboratory to explore scaling the technology to 120-mm is then described.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Aug 01, 1991
Accession Number
ADA242338

Entities

People

  • David L. Kruczynski

Organizations

  • Ballistic Research Laboratory

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Weapons Technologies

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Artillery
  • Base Pressure
  • Combustion
  • Engineering
  • Fluid Dynamics
  • Guns
  • Hybrid Propulsion
  • Jet Propulsion
  • Mechanical Engineering
  • Military Research
  • Pressure Distribution
  • Propulsion Systems
  • Ram Accelerators
  • Ramjet Engines
  • Standards
  • Test Facilities
  • Weapons

Fields of Study

  • Physics

Readers

  • Academic Conference Management
  • Explosive Engineering.
  • Theoretical Analysis.

Technology Areas

  • Hypersonics
  • Hypersonics - Hypersonic Flow