Yeah, but I was an artillerymen for 16 years and the only system I used that came even close to RAM-jet speeds was the Lance (MGM-52) missile, which would do mach 3 by the time it cleared the launcher. With 8”, 155mm and 105mm, I could see the rounds leaving the tubes and sometimes track them downrange. All of the RAM-jet tests I’ve seen were after the missile was accelerated to Mach5 with a SRB. I just can’t imagine a RAM-jet in a 155mm sized projectile or, really, any tube artillery projectile.
“...All of the RAM-jet tests I’ve seen were after the missile was accelerated to Mach5 with a SRB. I just can’t imagine a RAM-jet in a 155mm sized projectile or, really, any tube artillery projectile.”
I will defer to SJSAMPLE on the possibilities of fitting any ramjet-powered system inside a gun tube. I’m certain he’s correct.
Ramjets have been employed in hypersonic vehicle research, but not all require speeds that high to operate.
The 2K12 Kub (”Cube”) low/medium altitude SAM system developed by the USSR in the 1950s/1960s used a novel propulsion system: when its solid-fuel booster burned out, the cavity in the airframe thus created became a ramjet, sustaining the missile inflight. Max missile velocity was Mach 1.75 to 2.8, depending on variant.