Evaluation of CAPEL (Confined Armature Projectile Experimental Launcher), A Novel Railgun Concept,

Results are presented from preliminary testing and a successful low velocity projectile launch from a novel electromagnetic launcher using a plasma armature. The design concept of the railgun involves the containment of the plasma armature within the projectile. Design details of the launcher and projectile are presented and advantages of the concept are discussed. Instead of using the confining, continuous walls of a barrel to contain the transverse forces of a high pressure plasma armature, a cavity is introduced into the projectile itself. This then contains the plasma. This means in effect that the confining walls travel along with projectile. In this way CAPEL utilizes the unique features of a railgun, i.e. the ability to accelerate a discrete package of plasma in one direction only. In CAPEL, the plasma armature is accelerated forward against the front wall of the cavity by the J x B force. Confined within the cavity, the plasma transfers the force to the projectile and accelerates it along the rails. This would not be possible with a traditional chemical gun as the driving force is not uni-directional.