A modified projectile includes a projectile, a container, and a liquid propellant in the container. The container is detachably attached to the projectile

A modified projectile includes a projectile, a container, and a liquid propellant in the container. The container is detachably attached to the projectile

The present disclosure relates to a launch system, a launch vehicle for use with the launch system, and methods of launching a payload utilizing the launch vehicle and/or the launch system. The disclosure can provide for delivery of the payload at a terrestrial location, an Earth orbital location, or an extraorbital location. The launch vehicle can comprise a payload, a propellant tank, an electrical heater wherein propellant, such as a light gas (e.g., hydrogen) is electrically heated to significantly high temperatures, an exhaust nozzle from which the heated propellant expands to provide an exhaust velocity of, for example, 7-16 km/sec, and sliding electrical contacts in electrical connection with the electrical heater. The launch vehicle can be utilized with the launch system, which can further comprise a launch tube formed of concentric electrically conductive tubes, as well as an electrical energy source, such as a battery bank and associated inductor.

The present disclosure relates to a launch system, a launch vehicle for use with the launch system, and methods of launching a payload utilizing the launch vehicle and/or the launch system. The disclosure can provide for delivery of the payload at a terrestrial location, an Earth orbital location, or an extraorbital location. The launch vehicle can comprise a payload, a propellant tank, an electrical heater wherein propellant, such as a light gas (e.g., hydrogen) is electrically heated to significantly high temperatures, an exhaust nozzle from which the heated propellant expands to provide an exhaust velocity of, for example, 7-16 km/sec, and sliding electrical contacts in electrical connection with the electrical heater. The launch vehicle can be utilized with the launch system, which can further comprise a launch tube formed of concentric electrically conductive tubes, as well as an electrical energy source, such as a battery bank and associated inductor.

One or more ram accelerator devices may be used to form one or more holes in geologic or other material. These holes may be used for drilling, tunnel boring, excavation, and so forth. The ram accelerator devices propel projectiles which are accelerated by combustion of one or more combustible gasses in a ram effect to reach velocities exceeding 500 meters per second.

One or more ram accelerator devices may be used to form one or more holes in geologic or other material. These holes may be used for drilling, tunnel boring, excavation, and so forth. The ram accelerator devices propel projectiles which are accelerated by combustion of one or more combustible gasses in a ram effect to reach velocities exceeding 500 meters per second.

An improved light gas gun launches a projectile in a light gas atmosphere as it travels through a frictionless barrel to achieve high muzzle velocities, decreased acoustic signatures, and increased ranges. The light gas atmosphere is introduced by a purge valve prior to firing or by a muzzle valve that holds a positive light gas pressure on the barrel and breech. The muzzle valve also routes the majority of propellant gases through a suppression canister, reducing the light gas gun's acoustic signature. The frictionless barrel uses light gas propellant routed through gas bearings to keep the projectile centered in the barrel and preclude the projectile from contacting the barrel walls, eliminating barrel wear. The system includes a projectile assembly that stores light gas from the firing and injects it into the boundary layer, reducing drag, increasing range and lethality, and decreasing acoustic signature of the projectile down range.

An improved light gas gun launches a projectile in a light gas atmosphere as it travels through a frictionless barrel to achieve high muzzle velocities, decreased acoustic signatures, and increased ranges. The light gas atmosphere is introduced by a purge valve prior to firing or by a muzzle valve that holds a positive light gas pressure on the barrel and breech. The muzzle valve also routes the majority of propellant gases through a suppression canister, reducing the light gas gun's acoustic signature. The frictionless barrel uses light gas propellant routed through gas bearings to keep the projectile centered in the barrel and preclude the projectile from contacting the barrel walls, eliminating barrel wear. The system includes a projectile assembly that stores light gas from the firing and injects it into the boundary layer, reducing drag, increasing range and lethality, and decreasing acoustic signature of the projectile down range.

A gun having at least two combustion chambers, a first combustion chamber being fixed within the gun, subsequent combustion chamber or chambers being movable in the direction of the barrel, wherein the trigger mechanism is adapted to ignite the volatile mixture in the first chamber; and the gun having means to regulate the timing of ignition of the volatile mixtures in the subsequent chamber or chambers to eject the bullet for the barrel. A reloading plate prevents a bullet being loaded, while the volatile mixtures are ignited.

A gun having at least two combustion chambers, a first combustion chamber being fixed within the gun, subsequent combustion chamber or chambers being movable in the direction of the barrel, wherein the trigger mechanism is adapted to ignite the volatile mixture in the first chamber; and the gun having means to regulate the timing of ignition of the volatile mixtures in the subsequent chamber or chambers to eject the bullet for the barrel. A reloading plate prevents a bullet being loaded, while the volatile mixtures are ignited.