Development of a linear piston-type pulse power electric generator for powering electric guns

There is a vigorous program within the US Army to produce fieldable electric gun systems for both tactical and strategic defense missions. Princeton Combustion Research Laboratories proposes to develop its concept for a linear piston-type electric pulse-power generator capable of powering electric guns, both electromagnetic (EM rail and EM coil) guns and electrothermal (ET) guns, now under development. The pulse-power generator consists of a cylindrical armature pushed by gases from the combustion of fuel or propellant through an externally produced magnetic field. An arrangement of electrodes and connecting straps serves to extract current from the moving armature and to send it to an external load (the electric gun).<>