Electromagnetic Vertical Launch System

This proposed effort will develop vertical electromagnetic launchers to provide cold launch technology for a family of missiles and demonstrate a vertical cold launch demonstration of surrogate missiles with single and multiple projectiles in a multi-packed configuration. This will transition the electromagnetic launcher technology from TRL 6 to TRL 7. The expected launcher system consists of a multi-phase power supply, a launch barrel with phased stator drive coils, and the conductive sabot surrounding the missile. The operating principles of the tubular linear induction motor are well-known: a phased-stator establishes a traveling magnetic field which induces currents in a conductive sabot creating Lorentz forces causing sabot and missile acceleration, then missile release and sabot arresting and capture within the launcher. Multiple launchers can be redundantly powered by multiple power supplies connected through robust switching for high reliability, fault tolerance, and casualty recovery. The overall objective of this effort is to demonstrate readiness for a transition program to support cold launch technology for mid-size missiles.Ā This program will investigate the limits of an electromagnetic vertical launcher system, and demonstrate a sequential multi-missile near-vertical cold launch capability.Ā A system engineering study will be performed for cold launch technology investigating possible electromagnetic inference effects on the missile being launched and adjacent missiles.Ā The system critical components including the sabot, launcher, and sabot arrestor components will be designed, fabricated and verified through testing.Ā Subsequently, an electromagnetic vertical launcher system for the ōHellfire-classö of missiles will be designed, fabricated and tested (near-vertical) in the Option of this program.Ā Single missile and rapid multiple-missile cold vertical launches will be demonstrated.