Recoilless electromagnetic projectile launcher

Abstract

A recoilless electromagnetic projectile launcher is provided with a pair of projectile launching conductors, a source of high current, a sliding armature for conducting current between the conductors and propelling a projectile, and a structure which creates a force which is equal but opposite to a recoil force created as the projectile is accelerated. This structure includes a second pair of conductors for accelerating a recoil mass in a direction opposite to the direction of travel of the projectile or, alternatively, an expansion chamber and nozzle for accelerating hot gases resulting from the creation of a plasma armature, in a direction opposite to the direction of travel of the projectile. The projectile launcher of this invention operates in accordance with a method of accelerating a projectile which includes conducting current between a pair of projectile launching conductors through a movable conductive armature thereby creating an electromagnetic force which accelerates an armature and the projectile along the conductors, and accelerating a mass to create a reaction force which is substantially equal to but in the opposite direction of a recoil force associated with the electromagnetic acceleration of the projectile.