Posted on 01/30/2012 12:35:02 PM PST by Nachum
Imagine a Naval gun so powerful it can shoot a 5-inch projectile up to 220 miles, yet requires no explosives to fire. That's the Navy's futuristic electromagnetic railgun, a project that could be deployed on the service's ships by 2025, and which is now a little bit closer to reality with the signing of a deal with Raytheon for the development of what's known as the pulse-forming network. (Snip) At the same time, because the power for the railgun will come from ships' standard battery banks, the Navy shouldn't have to maintain large amounts of space on board for storage
(Excerpt) Read more at news.cnet.com ...
Or perhaps be used with a GPS-guided projectile for an extremely precise strike. If they could package electronics and some sort of fin system that would survive the shock of the firing.
}:-)4
Heat.
Air becomes plasma beyond a certain temp and will glow.
Obama just wants to hook up all of the Navy’s generators to supply electricity for America’s city.....
I couldn’t believe he suggested using the Navy as a power company in the SOTU. That is as crazy as having someone suggest that NASA make their primary mission the increasing of Arab/Muslim pride.
Good! Now make a big one with gradual acceleration to send capsules with men and cargo orbital. Do it! Now!!
Science Fiction soon to become Science Fact?
Practical uses in include shooting a long way in-shore in support of Marines.
Moving targets can be dealt with using terminal guidance. They are not going to move THAT far.
2. A 5” round moving at Mach 5 is going to make a hell of a dent in whatever it hits. It won’t need and explosive payload. It will have plenty of “explosive effect” when it hits something courtesy of mass and velocity.
3. The 5” gun is pretty much the standard and it is definitely a threat to naval vessels. They don’t build or operate battleships anymore.
It’s doubtful these would be dumb-fire shells in practice at that distance. Terminal guidance (GPS or inertial) has been available on ballistic projectiles for many years.
I imagine that a computer would calculate heading and speed, “guesstimate” the target’s expected location, and rely on terminal guidance to make the last minor adjustments to ensure impact.
Rail gun pushing a projectile to Mach 5.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i1q_rRicAwI
Some of us actually understand basic physics. That type of acceleration and velocity of mass in air has consequences, like the creation of plasma.
I can haz one? Preeeeeeeeese?
I think they are shooting for a muzzle energy of 33 Megajoules, compared to the 16in. gun’s 355 Megajoule wallop.
Assuming a sustained velocity of Mach 5 (which is probably understated over actual capability) means that it’s only four minutes from firing to impact at max range (also probably understated.)
Very impressive.
It’s about time. Man if they don’t get it finished in time and the wraith show up we wont have any defense against them.
JB
Thanks!
I think that would be an excellent use for a Volkswagen!
This has to be some kind of prototype for something much larger and heavier.
Thanks for your helpful and lucid explanations.
Friction. Causes the water in the air to condense. Also the heat generated on the rail will cause smoke.
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