U.S. Navy's Electromagnetic Railgun systems to be a "game changer."
The United States Navy has nearly completed testing on an innovative new weapons firing system. It’s called the Electromagnetic (EM) Railgun. What makes this weapon substantially different from conventional weapons is, well, everything.
Almost all weapons systems in use today employ chemical or explosive propellants to launch projectiles. The EM Railgun will instead be launched using electricity. More specifically, high electrical currents will create a magnetic field which will accelerate a sliding metal conductor (also known as an armature) between two rails. This conductor will launch objects at a blistering 4,500 mph. The electricity produced by the ship creates kinetic energy that is stored for several seconds at a time in the system before firing.
This new projectile launching system has been in testing since 2005 by the Navy’s Department of Science and Technology. Testing thus far has proven successful. Phase 1 of testing concentrated on the development of the technology used to launch the objects. They focused on creating a reliable pulsed power technology and assessing associated risks.
The second phase of testing began in 2012. From there, progression of the technology moved quickly. These efforts focused on “demonstrating a rep-rate fire capability,” according to the Office of Naval Research. Heat management systems have also been designed for sustained firing.
This new projectile launching system has been in testing since 2005 by the Navy’s Department of Science and Technology. Testing thus far has proven successful. Phase 1 of testing concentrated on the development of the technology used to launch the objects. They focused on creating a reliable pulsed power technology and assessing associated risks.
The second phase of testing began in 2012. From there, progression of the technology moved quickly. These efforts focused on “demonstrating a rep-rate fire capability,” according to the Office of Naval Research. Heat management systems have also been designed for sustained firing.
The Navy is hoping that this new technology will benefit sailors and marines on board warships and aircraft carriers. The Office of Naval Research says, “With its increased velocity and extended range, the EM Railgun will give sailors a multi-mission capacity…”
By adding this versatile new weapons system, the Navy expects more precise land strikes, better ship defense, and more effective surface warfare capabilities to discourage enemy vessels. Navy ships equipped with rail guns will have increased firing range, quicker response times, and deeper magazines. Chief of Naval Research Rear Adm. Mat Winter said, “The Electromagnetic Railgun is among several disruptive capabilities that the Naval Research Enterprise is championing to ensure a dominant, capable, and relevant naval force for the future.”
By adding this versatile new weapons system, the Navy expects more precise land strikes, better ship defense, and more effective surface warfare capabilities to discourage enemy vessels. Navy ships equipped with rail guns will have increased firing range, quicker response times, and deeper magazines. Chief of Naval Research Rear Adm. Mat Winter said, “The Electromagnetic Railgun is among several disruptive capabilities that the Naval Research Enterprise is championing to ensure a dominant, capable, and relevant naval force for the future.”
Electromagnetic rail guns will be on display to the public for the first time ever at the Naval Future Force Science and Technology (S&T) Expo in Washington D.C. on Feb. 4-5. This expo will also be discussing other advanced technologies hoping to shape military warfare and tactics. In a rapidly changing global political climate, control of the word’s oceans will continue to be of vast strategic importance, and these new weapons systems will ensure US dominance over troubled seas.
-Katherine Sinner, Contributing Writer
-Katherine Sinner, Contributing Writer