Quasi-Two-Dimensional Projectiles Operating in a Ram Accelerator

Abstract

Instead of the conventional conical nose projectiles, quasi-two-dimensional (Q2D) projectiles were accelerated in a cylindrical ram accelerator. The Q2D projectile has a wedge-shaped tip creating a quasi-two-dimensional flowfield when it flies in the ram accelerator. Methane based combustible gas mixture was filled in a 8m long ram acceleration tube at 2.5MPa. A good acceleration over 6, 000g has been achieved. The present study was the first try to apply a non-conical nose projectile in the ram accelerator experiment. It will be helpful in the development and operation of a two-dimensional facility in which a two-dimensional flowfield is formed and hence easily visualized by optical techniques.