http://www.aolnews.com/2010/12/14/the-navys-new-super-gun-explained/?icid=maing|aim|dl1|sec1_lnk5|31902





(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.

Thank the RUSSIANS for inventing this "RAIL GUN".

There are rail guns and then there are "rail" guns. Old rail guns were essentially mobile mortars that used railroad lines for transport. The civil war saw heavy use of bombardment mortars using converted flat bed cars.

The rail gun went more advanced in WWI with actual, purpose built railroad guns that used very large caliber guns on carriages. An entire train including ammo, powder and security was built up to support these guns. Unfortunately, as air power advanced, they became very easy prey.

The Paris Gun is probably the most recognizable rail gun and, IIRC, shells fired from it were the first time a manmade objects that were launched into the stratosphere. You also had Anzio Annie and the Anzio Express used as heavy bombardment guns.

What was interesting about the Paris Gun was that (like all guns of large caliber) there is heavy barrel wear which leads to eventual failure. The Paris gun utilized sequentially numbered shells which had slightly increasing diameters (driving bands and bourrelets) to ensure proper firing and contact with the rifled barrel.

Krupps was very, very good at gun development.



Edited 2 time(s). Last edit at 12/17/2010 01:19PM by ITRADE.

Talking about big guns, you should see the photo I took while standing next to the Rodman Gun up at Ft. Hancock, NJ (20 inch barrel, 115,000 lbs. smoothbore). The cannon balls are the diameter of a car's rim.

Regarding the Rail Gun, they've been testing that down at Dahlgren for decades now.

Also, for decades the Navy's had pulse weapons, but you rarely hear anyone talking about them.

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"And if any women or children get their legs torn off, or faces caved in, well, it's tough shit for them." -2LT. Bert Stiles, 505th, 339th (On Berlin Bombardier Mission, 1944).

Cast guns using round ball ammunition. Not a lot of range.

ITRADE Wrote:
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> There are rail guns and then there are "rail"
> guns. Old rail guns were essentially mobile
> mortars that used railroad lines for transport.
> The civil war saw heavy use of bombardment mortars
> using converted flat bed cars.


How we did it "back in the day"

The problem is the projectile. It travels at 3 times the speed of sound and as a result, gets so hot from the air friction, it tends to disintegrate before reaching it's far away target. They're trying lots of new materials to find something that can withstand the enormous speeds.

Many rollercoasters have been deploying this same technology for many years.

Here's what I was used to:

ITRADE Wrote:
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> Krupps was very, very good at gun development.

They make a mean coffee maker now. Oh wait, that's Krups. Never mind...

I can't wait to have one in my house for "home protection".

__________________________________
That's not a ladybug, that's a cannapiller.

WELL WAIT NO LONGER ASSHOLE, RAIL GUNS ARE AVAILIBLE IN
HAND HELD PISTOL-VERSION ALSO.

Isn't Sesame Street on, Troll? Now run along...