A Novel Superconducting Electromagnetic Catapult

Electromagnetic catapults have stimulate huge interest and are promising in the application such as the electromagnetic launch from the navy aircraft carriers, electromagnetic gun and other electromagnetic-directed energy weapons systems. Currently, most of the electromagnetic catapults are based on pulse power supply technology. But they have to face challenges such as complicated control circuit, low efficiency in energy transfer and long launching interval, which will limit the development of electromagnetic catapult. In this work, we have proposed a novel superconducting electromagnetic catapult, which is capable of avoiding complex pulse power supply system, improving the working performance and shortening launching interval. Besides, it can be used alone or in combination with the current electromagnetic catapult based on pulse power supply technology to improve the working performance. Experimental and simulation test have been carried out to verify the working principle of our proposed superconducting electromagnetic catapult.