The science and technology of electric launch: a US perspective

The US continues its focused research on the fundamental physics and engineering challenges in developing electric launchers for specific military applications. These efforts include compact pulsed power sources, power conditioning, armatures, integrated (armature/sabot/projectile) launch packages, electromagnetic and electrothermochemical launchers, advanced materials and diagnostics and technology and systems integration modeling and simulation. Important advances have been achieved in the understanding and technological applications of electric launchers. These are discussed in the context of specific applications to future ground combat vehicles.