Electromagnetic armor test facility with modular pulsed power conceptual design

The impulsive acceleration of protective devices or terminal ballistics interception elements like massive armor plates can only be realized by two means of propulsion: chemical stored energy such as high explosives or other propellants, and electric power which is converted preferably into kinetic energy by single-stage launcher assemblies like pancake coil systems. This kind of propulsion has been used for more than 12 years at ISL in the field of active armor. Furthermore, the electric launcher technology with controlled multipartite single-stage coil assemblies represents a new supplementary topic with a high growth potential which is not yet exhausted. A separate test facility with modular structured energy packs (3/spl times/50 kJ) has been assembled as a basic installation for testing reinforced or armoured coils and multiple-coil systems. The presented paper describes the typical ratings of the energy packs and the modular conceptual design for a steerable two-dimensional launcher system.