http://news.yahoo.com/navy-railgun-tests-leading-ship-superweapon-2020-201003095.html

If the Navy does start using railguns in 2020, I think the argument for Mass Drivers can be as well. Given that the two technologies are similar and for the most part a mass driver is just a superhuge railgun. I believe the Mag-Levs (trains) are another application of this technology as well.

It is my understanding that the primary hold-backs on "Railguns" is precision on muzzle exit (Small flux in the field shifts your shot slightly, making it harder to aim) and being able to get the speeds in a short enough rail to be useful. (Which can lead to energy levels that kill rail lifespan to get suitable acceleration.)

They are kind of a unique field, as unlike maglev you are using very simple 'projectile' components.

So much for a fair fight. At 10 rounds per minute and that speed you're shoot airplanes out of the air and punching holes through tanks as fast as you can target them. I'm glad we're on the winning side.

Ten rounds a minute doesn't make for an effective anti-aircraft system especially against air launched stand-off weapons, which are becoming easier to produce. Not to mention that the primary support weapon in the programs would be like taking a rifle to kill a fly; serious over kill.

Far better to use a high speed tracking missiles. Guided ballistics simply don't have the target tracking adaptation to take on guided targets at range. (Target can move out of the engagement envelope of the guided ballistic far easier than an active thrust guided weapon.)

Other interesting drawback: Muzzle field emissions from an electromagnetic weapon produce a far cleaner signature that is easier to detect and track accurately than traditional firearms. Basically it means firing your super weapon lights you up for other weapon platforms to home in on you.

Isn't weapons development fun?

Last I heard the main issue was producing good enough batteries to build up the charge needed to fire, all while being combat and maritime resilient.

I always understood that rail guns were mainly for anti-missile defense. Since the muzzle velocity is 13000 MPH, it makes the need for trajectory computations obsolete. Basically you just point and shoot and the instant you hit the trigger the object you targetted is destroyed.

What I don't understand is the combustion coming out of the muzzle on the video. Why is there a fire? I thought we were using magnets here... I know they get hot but that looks like a gigantor exploding fireball.

Ten rounds a minute doesn't make for an effective anti-aircraft system[/quote]
It does it if is precise. Considering it can with that huge velocity, if it knows the targets velocity, I'm pretty sure it won't be missing too much.

The fireball would be superheated gases/plasma, and depending on the design may also contain the remains of a kicker blast. (Basically a hybrid design using an initial chemical stage to prime the weapon's initial velocity, where it is then accelerated far past what the chemical stage would have allowed.)


As for the precision, it isn't a laser. It still has a travel time at range during which the target's position/direction can be changed. It still has time between when the shot is taken, and the projectile leaving the muzzle. It is still a projectile, and influenced by annoying things like physics. Being off by a hair adds up at long range. Needing 6 seconds before you can even think of taking the second shot is a horribly long time if your first shot misses. Long enough that the target's weapon's lock can be finished, and their missiles away. (Because, if you can target them, chances are they're able to target you as well.)

We'll it only goes mach 9 or about 5,600 mph which still isn't fast enough for instant kills at ranges of 100 miles (it will take a full minute to travel that distance). Look at the active defense systems on modern tanks they can defeat rounds traveling mach 4 at ranges of 100 meters. It doesn't take too much imagination to scale that system for ships to protect them against rail guns projectiles, even if they have some guided capabilities. You don't need to stop a projectile u just need to deflect it, preferably into the ocean going at mach 9 it would vaporize upon impact.

Now energy weapons like lasers or gamma ray lasers, those are more promising imo.

-ddn

Personally, I'm hoping that war becomes obsolete and advanced weapons systems won't be necessary for any country. Hahah, what an idealistic pipe dream.