A Superconducting Magnet Dewar Missile for Launching in Ballistic Ranges

E. E. Erickson

Jan 1976 · Arnold Engineering Development Center, Air Force Systems Command, United States Air Force

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One concept for magnetic guidance of projectiles in hypervelocity ballistic ranges is the use of a superconducting magnet within the projectile. The magnet must survive the large launch loads (250,000 g's) necessary to achieve test velocities (20,000 ft/sec). This report describes a conceptual design of a dewar which contains a superconducting magnet and its performance limitations. Thermal holding time for the preposed dewar would be in excess of 90 min. Structural strength aspects of the dewar components limit the launch load to 15,000 g's. consequently the current launcher at AEDC (50 ft long) would be limited to velocities of about 5,000 ft/sec or alternatively, an 830-ft-long launcher would be required to produce the desired velocity (20,000 ft/sec). The use of new launch techniques or magnet configurations could affect these results. (Author).