Origin, location, magnitude and consequences of recoil in the plasma armature railgun [comment and reply]

The authors comment on a recent article by E.A. Witalis [ibid., vol. 142, pp. 197-200, 1995] which conveys the impression that there is some uncertainty about the nature and the location of recoil forces in a railgun. He purports to show that relativistic recoil forces are exerted on rail surfaces where they are substantial enough to cause mechanical damage. The authors state that this is not so and describe their interpretation of the real situation concerning the way recoil forces act in railguns. Witalis replies and points out some errors in their approach.