Abstract: Electrical circuitry for preventing or substantially reducing electrical arcing at the muzzle of an electromagnetic projectile launcher. The circuitry provides a plurality of switches which interconnect portions of the rails of the launcher so that a unidirectional current flows through, the armature of the launcher is a first direction when the armature is in a first section of the launcher and a second section of the launcher. The switches, also cause a current, in a direction opposite the direction of the first direction, to flow through the armature of the launcher when the armature is in the second section of the launcher.

Abstract: A muzzle switch connected to the rails of an electromagnetic launcher to divert post-launch rail current into a dump resistor or other load and to prevent arcing at the muzzle. The switch includes shorting members electrically connected to the launcher rails together with a flexible washer-like ring which surrounds the rails and is in close proximity to the shorting members. Part of the rail current is diverted through the ring and when a current carrying armature which propels a payload along the rails passes the switch the interaction of the magnetic field produced by the rail current and current in the ring forces the ring against the shorting members, thus closing the switch as the armature leaves the rails.