The Navy's New Super Gun (Rail Gun) Explained

[Tonka]

(Dec. 14) -- The world's most powerful gun is one step closer to becoming the super-weapon of the future.

 

The Navy on Friday demonstrated a record-setting 33-megajoule shot from its developmental electromagnetic rail gun, a weapon that will be able to shoot farther than conventional guns. This weapon of the future could someday go on U.S. Navy ships, but for right now, it's a science and technology project.

 

Here's a primer on the rail gun.

 

What is a rail gun and how does it work?

 

Normally, a ship-based weapon would require gunpowder or a rocket boost to shoot projectiles, but the electromagnetic gun is powered by an electric pulse generated by the ship. Since the projectiles travel at speeds of more than seven times the speed of sound, they don't even require high explosives to pack a big punch: The kinetic energy of the projectile is more than enough to create a lethal effect.

 

Why does the Navy want it?

 

Range and speed make the rail gun a particularly attractive weapon for the Navy, though other advantages include its accuracy and safety onboard a ship (because it doesn't require high explosives). "The 33-megajoule shot means the Navy can fire projectiles at least 110 nautical miles (126 miles), placing sailors and Marines at a safe standoff distance and out of harm's way, and the high velocities achievable are tactically relevant for air and missile defense," Rear Adm. Nevin Carr, chief of naval research, said in a release announcing the latest test.

 

How much does it cost?

 

The Navy has budgeted about $250 million for the development of the prototype rail gun. It's impossible to say how much the final system would cost to buy. As with any new weapon system, the price tag is likely to be high, but advocates for the rail gun point out the projectiles would be cheaper than conventional missiles and ammunition.

 

When will the weapon be used on a ship?

 

Not anytime soon. The Navy projects it won't be ready until sometime in the 2020 to 2025 time range, and that assumes the Navy pursues it beyond the prototype.

 

http://www.aolnews.com/2010/12/14/the-navys-new-super-gun-explained/?icid=maing%7Cmain5%7Cdl1%7Csec1_lnk1%7C31796

[*FEAR*ME*]

That thing is cool!!

[Vanaraud]

With nuclear powered ships, almost endless count of shots.

[Butterz]

But having a thing like that is extremely stupid, if you know anything about Newton and his 3 laws. 33 Megajoules in one direction means a force in the other direction, and this would move any ship, unless it was the size of a small island, a large distance. Could you imagine if you had one of these mounted on the upper deck of a ship, and it fired, and the ship did a full barrel roll due to the recoil of the gun?

[CaldasGSM]

one of the major problems with rail guns is that the magnetic forces actuating on the rails are so string that after a few shots the rails start to get deformed.. making the maintenance of this kind of weapon hard for real war scenarios..

have they resolved it?

[NoGooD]

But having a thing like that is extremely stupid, if you know anything about Newton and his 3 laws. 33 Megajoules in one direction means a force in the other direction, and this would move any ship, unless it was the size of a small island, a large distance. Could you imagine if you had one of these mounted on the upper deck of a ship, and it fired, and the ship did a full barrel roll due to the recoil of the gun?

 

Have you ever been on a battleship or a carrier? They are small islands.

[epicofail]

haha cool stuff..

 

Did you guys hear about force field around the tank?

Interesting stuff..

[Achiyan]

looks like someone is gonna have to modify the Railgun map.......

[Butterz]

looks like someone is gonna have to modify the Railgun map.......

 

Railgun Battleship?

[TheDuck]

haha cool stuff..

 

Did you guys hear about force field around the tank?

Interesting stuff..

 

Its not a forcefield per se but a 'kinetic' barrier that is projected on one side. If someone were to shoot rn rpg at the tank, the rpg would explode 10 feet away and the 'shrapnel' would disintegrate as it moves inward. The barrier works similar to the 'shields' in the novel 'Dune', where a slow moving target can get through, but fast moving targets are repeled. The barrier doesn't protect against missles yet.

 

How a group of tanks would strategically use the barrier would end up changing battlefield plans. Usually tanks are in a long line with a little distance between each tank (to reduce the amount of 'mis hits' fired by enemy). With the barrier, tanks would be grouped up togetheir to protect 'unprotected' sides.

 

With nuclear powered ships, almost endless count of shots.

 

This is incorrect. Granted with nuclear powered ships, you have the amount of power needed for as many shots as you have gas. You see the rail gun needs a conductive gas to fire. So a nuclear powered ship has as many shots as they have conductive gas. Similar to the Laser. You have as many shots as you have of the gas needed to excite the laser.

 

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Railgun

 

check out the links on bottom to for other future weapons.

[Medic Kane]

Its not a forcefield per se but a 'kinetic' barrier that is projected on one side. If someone were to shoot rn rpg at the tank, the rpg would explode 10 feet away and the 'shrapnel' would disintegrate as it moves inward. The barrier works similar to the 'shields' in the novel 'Dune', where a slow moving target can get through, but fast moving targets are repeled. The barrier doesn't protect against missles yet.

 

How a group of tanks would strategically use the barrier would end up changing battlefield plans. Usually tanks are in a long line with a little distance between each tank (to reduce the amount of 'mis hits' fired by enemy). With the barrier, tanks would be grouped up togetheir to protect 'unprotected' sides.

 

 

 

This is incorrect. Granted with nuclear powered ships, you have the amount of power needed for as many shots as you have gas. You see the rail gun needs a conductive gas to fire. So a nuclear powered ship has as many shots as they have conductive gas. Similar to the Laser. You have as many shots as you have of the gas needed to excite the laser.

 

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Railgun

 

check out the links on bottom to for other future weapons.

 

 

But what kind of gas? if Hydrogen would work, one of the bi-products of nuclear reactions is hydrogen.

[TheDuck]

But what kind of gas? if Hydrogen would work, one of the bi-products of nuclear reactions is hydrogen.

 

I forget which gas it is. My cousin (the smart one in the family) was spouting off different things that work. But what I find weird is you won't read about this on wiki