Superconducting augmented rail gun (SARG)

Design details and theoretical modeling of the performance of a SARG for which compensation has been made for energy dissipation effects are described. SARG features a superconducting coil closely coupled magnetically to the rail gun and operating in the persistent mode. The efficiency and the launching force of the rail gun is enhanced by the flux trapping property of a closed superconducting coil causing a significant increase in the magnetic field strength. Dissipative forces were accounted for in terms of the total exit kinetic energy of the projectile. The test railgun nearing operational status has a 1 m long, 0.91 cm square bore with Cu rails and fiberglass insulation. Energy to the railgun is supplied by a 5 KV, 1440 microfarad capacitor, sufficient to accelerate a 4 gr armature/projectile to 0.8 km/sec when coupled with a 4 Tesla dipole magnet for superconducting augmentation.