Optimization and Critical Design Issues of the Air Core Compulsator for the Cannon Caliber Electromagnetic Launcher System (CCEML)

The Center for Electromechanics at The University of Texas at Austin (CEM-UT) is nearing completion of the manufacturing phase of a mobile platform, compulsator (CPA) driven 30 mm ground bore equivalent rapid fire railgun system. The system has been designed to deliver 15, 185 g integrated launch packages at 1850 m/s muzzle velocity, using a series of three, five round salvos, and be compatible for integration into the amphibious assault vehicle (AAV). This paper describes the results of the optimization process used in determining the power supply requirements for the CCEML. The paper also presents predicted performance specifications which are based upon an end to end system simulator, a brief overview of the CPA design, and critical engineering design issues in the CPA which have been resolved along the way to reduce risk for the CCEML program.