Abstract.
Since much of the early work on the concepts on which ram accelerators are based dates back to the 1960s, although many of these are still being actively pursued, it is difficult to formulate a completely logical approach. This situation is compounded by the use of presently unacceptable treatments of unidimensional detonations in the early work and unfortunately extended to some of the more modern treatments. My approach has been to start by dealing with the early work and recent work impinging upon it, then to re-emphasise recent work on detonations, particularly that dealing with the influence of changes in confinement on quenching and re-initiation of detonations. However, some knowledge of this is inferred in suggestions made in Part 2 for possible improvements in the techniques. Latter sections cover the development of the ram accelerator, the use of various types of projectiles, developments in experimental techniques and finally on areas in space flight where the results from ram accelerators might be utilised.
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Received 14 January 1999 / Accepted 16 June 1999
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Nettleton, M. The applications of unsteady, multi-dimensional studies of detonation waves to ram accelerators. Shock Waves 10, 9–22 (2000). https://doi.org/10.1007/s001930050175
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s001930050175