The need for a reliable and effective communicating switch is essential to the operation of a homopolar-generator-driven (HPG-driven) railgun system. This switch must offer the lowest possible resistance during the current build up time and then must commutate the current quickly and efficiently into the railgun barrel. The essential requirements for such a switch are discussed, and, after a brief review of the available switch technologies, a type of switch based on a liquid metal switching medium is described.
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