A High Force Actuator for SRF Cavity Tuning

Not Available Recent developments in the plasma aerodynamics area suggest that the shape of the shockwave produced by a hypersonic aircraft can be modified, in flight, by weakly ionizing the air flowing around the aircraft. The purpose of the present proposal is to investigate the feasibility of using this phenomenon to guide a gun shell, in lieu of mechanically actuated control, while simultaneously reducing the drag of the gun shell. Accurate Automation is actively involved in investigating this technology in the context of of its hypersonic flight programs. The goal of the proposed program is to investigate the feasibility of adapting the weakly ionized gas technology for: directional guidance and drag reduction of a gun shell. AAC will perform a preliminary design of a prototype gun shell including: selection of the plasma generation technology the preliminary design of the required electronics and power source, the guidance system, the required gun hardening; and theoretical basis necessary to optimize the design. AAC will examine how this can be used with a metal Matrix Composite Gun Barrel.