Some key parameters for rectangular caliber railgun system

Electromagnetic railgun is one of the most important new concept weapons. Some key parameters of rectangular caliber railgun system - thickness of armature d 0 , width of caliber X, height of caliber Y, minimum length of rail L, amplitude of current I, pulse width of current t 0 - are studied in this paper. By introducing current carrier margin coefficient named α, ratio of armature thickness to railgun caliber width named β, and ratio of caliber height to caliber width named γ, equations of some key parameters of rectangular caliber railgun system are proposed. Based on analysis of armature's electric heating capacity and mass, 0.7 is an appropriate value for α. Based on analysis of parameters of railguns, β=1/3 and γ≤1 are appropriate for small and medium calibers, β<1/3 and γ=1 are appropriate for large calibers.