US Navy has come out all guns blazing as it tests its new artillery, dubbed the Railgun. It is claimed to be able to fire missiles six times faster than the speed of sound. The researchers are calling it the "Star Wars technology" that is completely powered by electricity.
According to Mail Online, the Railgun can create strong magnetic fields, and a "pulse power system" to propel projectiles at a speed of 4500mph. The technology is also known to penetrate concrete at a distance of 100 miles. Railguns are being built with keeping the future prospect of using kinetic energy in warfare rather than depending on classic ammunitions and explosives.
Reportedly, the Railgun releases the projectile at a speed of Mach 6 using electric pulse. The US Navy is working with BAE systems since 2005 on this ambitious project. The electromagnetic force generated to fire the Railgun can be adjusted according to the distance of the target.
According to The Drive, a video was posted by the Office of Naval Research (ONR) on March 21 depicting the testing of the Railgun. It took place at the Naval Surface Warfare Centre, Dahlgreen Division in Virginia. US Navy is also working on another model of the Railgun with General Atomics, the company that built MQ-1 Predator and MQ-9 Reaper drones.
As per sources, the Railgun will find its way on the new "Zumwalt-class destroyers". It will replace the 155 mm Advanced Gun System, a rather disappointing ammunition for the warship. In fact, the army is also interested in implementing the new Railguns and their unlimited magazines in place of conventional ammunition. It also tested a prototype system in April 2016 during a demonstration at Fort Sill, Oklahoma.
With China and Russia stepping up the gas with new and better ammunitions on their battleships, the Railgun can be very handy artillery to be used by the US Navy. US Navy has already asked for more than $23 million for continuation with the Railgun program. It is now to be seen how the legislators fare with this demand during the next budget cycle.
