Navy Test-Fires Electromagnetic Railgun
Cool new weapon for the Navy. Over 100 mile range. Video at link.
The U.S. Navy Office of Naval Research has released new video of a test of BAE Systems’ electromagnetic railgun, a hypervelocity weapon that has a maximum range exceeding 100 miles.
The advanced system uses a massive pulse of electrical power to accelerate a sliding conductive armature down two parallel rails. The armature contains a slug, which breaks free of its sabot upon exiting the weapon at muzzle velocities of up to 4,500 miles per hour (6,600 feet per second). It is a kinetic energy weapon, and the projectile carries no explosive warhead. The Navy envisions its use in naval surface fire support, land strikes, ship defense and surface warfare. Previous announcements from ONR have suggested a potential role in ballistic missile defense as well.
Unlike laser energy weapons, the railgun features over-the-horizon surface strike capability thanks to its projectile’s ballistic flight path. It also offers a key benefit for safety and survivability: with no explosive propellants or warheads, its ammunition magazines are not vulnerable to detonation in the event of a shipboard casualty or an enemy strike. In addition, its rounds are smaller than traditional shells, allowing a vessel to carry more ammunition in the same amount of space. And at $25,000 per round, firing it off is much less costly than expending a Tomahawk or SM-2 missile.