US military tests new 'game-changer' electromagnetic railgun that can fire projectiles from ships at

[Madmallard]

The US military are in the process of testing a new electromagnetic gun that can fire ammo at 4,500mph.

The Navy have developed a weapon that will use a ship's self-generated power to fire at long-range targets.

This means that the electromagnetic railgun launcher uses electricity instead of chemical propellants.

Magnetic fields created by high electrical currents accelerate a sliding metal conductor, or armature, between two rails to launch projectiles at 4,500mph.

The railgun is powered by electricity that has been generated by the ship and stored in a 'pulse power system'.

Next, an electric pulse is sent to the railgun, creating an electromagnetic force accelerating the projectile up to Mach 6.

US military tests 'game-changer' electromagnetic railgun that fires at 4,500mph

 

[capitalcrew]

Cool.. but the speed data is a little goofy in mph. It's 6600 fps for anyone wondering.

 

[Phazer]

Why is there smoke coming out of the barrel of an electromagnetic rail gun?

 

[Phazer]

The US military are in the process of testing a new electromagnetic gun that can fire ammo at 4,500mph.

Neat. Mach 5.9.

 

[Podmonkey]

Why is there smoke coming out of the barrel of an electromagnetic rail gun?

I presume due to the extreme friction the projectile generates from air resistance.

 

[kev74]

I wonder what a mach 6 shockwave sounds like. Probably need plugs and muffs for that one!

 

[Catskillkid]

Think that will be an NFA item?

 

[timboy]

I presume due to the extreme friction the projectile generates from air resistance.

My first thought too.

 

[ProgSpear]

Why is there smoke coming out of the barrel of an electromagnetic rail gun?

Ablation from sabot. Until they can electromagnetically "float" the projectile in the rail, it will not be operational, as it will wear the barrel too quickly.

 

[Podmonkey]

Ablation from sabot. Until they can electromagnetically "float" the projectile in the rail, it will not be operational, as it will wear the barrel too quickly.

I thought that's what they were doing. You mean to say there is a sabot scraping along the barrel at 6600 fps?! I'm suprised there is not more smoke!

 

[ProgSpear]

DISCLAIMER: My personal experience with rail guns was from Quake II and other video games, and I am not a physicist, so I really know pretty much nothing. Having said that, they have reached the same development stage for about the last 10 years, which means they have run into a snag of some kind, otherwise this would be operational. The gun shown is still a stationary mount (no traverse or elevation) so they are not into testing accuracy and other functional capability; they are still testing theoretical capability, meaning working the bugs out of the drive and internal stabilization systems. Until all of that is stable and repeatable, this is a showpiece only. m Just my take on it.

 

[togmaster]

Let me know when it's available in a pistol caliber.

 

[Podmonkey]

Takes a long, long time to R&D a

Let me know when it's available in a pistol caliber.

You can make one with a battery, a magnet, a coil spring and a ball bearing.
Wouldn't be good for anything other than annoying the family cat though.