The distributed energy store railgun, its efficiency, and its energy store implications

The distributed energy store railgun system is examined for a particular application, with emphasis being placed on the fundamental requirements that must be taken into account. A breech-fed railgun system is examined for the same requirements to enable a reasonable comparison between the two systems to be made. Resistive and inductance losses of energy are compared when it is assumed that the same constant current flows within the 4 calibers of the railgun immediately behind the rear of the armature. Also examined is the breech-fed case when inductive energy in the bore is recovered at different rates. The requirements for the "ideal" flux pump needed for powering the distributed energy store railgun are presented and estimates made of its mass and volume. The numbers obtained are speculative because such a flux pump has not yet been built.