UK electric gun national overview

This paper reviews the research carried out over the last two years into electric guns on behalf of the UK Ministry of Defence. The electromagnetic (EM) gun programme has been broadened to include rectangular as well as round bore configurations. Theoretical and experimental studies have been carried out to investigate a variety of lightweight launcher concepts at both large (90 mm equivalent bore) and medium (40 mm equivalent bore). Launcher research has concentrated on rail, insulator and containment designs for fieldable barrels. Projectile research has concentrated on armature materials, geometric configuration and the development of instrumented proof shot for measuring in-bore shot/barrel interactions. Measurement of in-bore lateral acceleration has been successfully accomplished during an EM launch environment. Electrothermal-chemical (ETC) gun research continues with the aim of gaining a more comprehensive understanding of the potential benefits and physics of this technology. The fundamental research element has concentrated on a detailed investigation of the nature of the interaction between plasma and propellant for both plasma induced combustion control, and for the plasma ignition of gun propellants. The applied research element is investigating the potential benefits of plasma ignition of charges for future medium weight platforms. The programme includes work on the circumferential ignition of very high loading density charges, compensation for the effect of charge temperature, the ignition of low vulnerability propellants and the accuracy of a plasma ignited soft recoil gun.