Ram accelerator sweeper baffles

A railed-tube ram accelerator for accelerating a projectile, the ram accelerator comprising:

• a first tube body having a first projectile bore and a first rail;
• a second tube body having a second projectile bore axially aligned with the first projectile bore and a second rail;
• and
• a baffle positioned between and operably coupling the first and second tube bodies, the baffle having an annular baffle wall defining a central bore that is axially aligned with the first and second projectile bores, and a chamber arranged adjacent to the annular baffle wall, wherein the chamber extends radially outward from the central bore,
• wherein the first and second rails are configured to guide the projectile through the first and second projectile bores, and wherein the annular baffle wall is configured to sweep a combustion wave relative to the projectile to prevent the combustion wave from traveling ahead of the projectile.