Railguns powered by explosive driven flux compression generators

Explosive driven flux compression generators (FCG's) are single-shot devices that convert part of the energy of high explosives into electromagnetic energy. Some classes of these generators have served quite well as railgun power sources. In this paper and the following paper we describe strip and helical type FCG's, both of which are in use in the Los Alamos railgun program. Advantages and disadvantages these generators have for railgun power supplies will be discussed, together with experimental results obtained and some of the diagnostics we have found particularly useful.