Theoretical Design and Modeling of an Infantry Railgun Projectile
Abstract
In order for railgun technology to be relevant to the Infantry, the design of the projectile must incorporate the following three concepts: an effective ballistics package, geometries for aerodynamic stability; and a non-parasitic conducting armature. I designed an effective 30mm and scaled 40mm projectile which incorporates the aforementioned concepts. My ballistics analysis concluded with two AUTODYN(Trademark) finite-element computer models that refined theoretical estimates for target penetration. The proposed railgun projectiles were effective in penetrating 100 mm of Rolled Homogenous Armor and in perforating 8 inches of Double Layered Reinforced Concrete. My theoretical analysis in aerodynamics predicts in-flight stability with a minimum static margin of approximately two percent. The analysis and modeling of the electromagnetic launch resulted in an adequate design. For this analysis, I used three Comsol Multiphysics(Trademark) finite-element computer models. The modeling results validated fundamental railgun equations. The final projectile design concluded with a 3 m barrel and is characterized by the following parameters: conducting rails with an inductance gradient approximately equal to 0.38 H/m; an average temperature rise in the rails of 20 C per shot; an effective current of less than 2 MA; and a projectile launch velocity of 1100 m/s.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Dec 01, 2005
- Accession Number
- ADA443240
Entities
People
- James A. Brady
Organizations
- Naval Postgraduate School