An Investigation into the Potential for Multiple Rail Railguns

A simple numerical technique for determining current distribution and inductance in parallel conductor geometries is outlined. Interim results of an ongoing study which applies this technique to analyze and compare two- and multirail railgun geometries are presented. Multirail candidates were compared to comparably sized two-rail counterparts. The railguns were compared on their ability to produce projectile force, while current density was restricted to a specified peak value. Interim conclusions are drawn on the performance of square-bore and X-bore multirail guns