Analysis of Ram Acceleration for High Velocity Applications

摘要

Ram acceleration is an emerging propulsion technology which appears capable ofproducing very high velocities with significant masses. Work at the University of Washington has demonstrated velocities in excess of 2.6 km/s in 38-mm caliber, while theory predicts velocities in excess of 10 km/s may be obtainable, Following a brief introduction to the theory of ram acceleration, advantages and disadvantages of the technology for large caliber hypervelocity applications are examined. An empirical performance analysis of a scaled-up ram accelerator (120-mm) is presented and compared to a theoretical analysis of conventional solid propulsion. A theoretical and experimental program ongoing at the Ballistic Research Laboratory to explore scaling the technology to 120-mm is then described.