Simulation and Analysis of Muzzle Arc of Electromagnetic Rail Launch

Arc ignition technology is one of the most feasible strategies for releasing the residual energy of electromagnetic rail launch (EMRL). The muzzle arc characteristic must be considered in the design of arc ignition devices, because it is a main factor affecting the intermediate ballistic trajectory. Based on the theory of magnetohydrodynamics (MHDs), this work has made numerical simulation of muzzle arc and analyzed the temperature field, electromagnetic (EM) field, and flow field of the muzzle arc at different stages. The results show that the temperature is the highest, the EM field is the most intensive, and the flow is the strongest at the initial stage of the muzzle arc. The optimization of arc ignition device is pointed out to be reducing the current transfer time to improve the temperature, EM, and flow environments of the launcher, projectile, and guidance device.