Navy + Railgun = Science is awesome.

[Clinotus]

The U.S. Navy successfully tested its 32 Megajoule railgun yesterday with great results. The test was done at 10.64 MJ, which set another record but is only a stepping stone over the last record of 9 MJ. They are slowing ramping the machine up to its 32 Megajoule capacity.

Check out the video:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i1q_rRicAwI


Looks like the SIG 556.
http://devisualis.com/images/stuff/look/railgun.jpg

Another video: Us Navy WMV video (http://www.onr.navy.mil/newimage/railgunSM.wmv)

Plans are for the railguns to replace the standard 5 inch guns on ships. Looks good so far.

[Fang]

I love railguns.

If memory serves, the Navy is interested in railguns not so much for surface warfare, but as an inexpensive replacement for cruise missiles. The plan is to have a railgun that can launch a 50-pound projectile at well over Mach 5, allowing an arc so high that the projectile exits the atmosphere at the peak of its trajectory. Even if it doesn't serve too well in this capacity, c'mon: GIANT BALL OF PLASMA.

[Wonder Bread]

I love railguns.

If memory serves, the Navy is interested in railguns not so much for surface warfare, but as an inexpensive replacement for cruise missiles. The plan is to have a railgun that can launch a 50-pound projectile at well over Mach 5, allowing an arc so high that the projectile exits the atmosphere at the peak of its trajectory. Even if it doesn't serve too well in this capacity, c'mon: GIANT BALL OF PLASMA.

On top of that fact that the projectile has a decent range (200 miles I read), won't have a radar signature (and if it does, it'll be quite small), and not exactly easy to intercept, unlike a cruise missile.

[Clinotus]

One more video: Now with more slowmotion, flames, and 2 more degrees of science:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_l9GvZrl-1A

[Capn Beeb]

I am proud to know that this shit was tested in my state. Also that last scene in the second video is some serious HADOKEN stuff :o

[MuttonChops]

God, that's all sorts of awesome.

[Clinotus]

Senate canceling the railgun and the Free Electron Laser.



“The determination was that the Free Electron Laser has the highest technical risk in terms of being ultimately able to field on a ship, so we thought the Navy could better concentrate on other laser programs,” explains Rick DeBobes, the chief of staff for the committee. “With the Electromagnetic Railgun, the committee felt the technical challenges to developing and fielding the weapon would be daunting, particularly [related to] the power required and the barrel of the gun having limited life.”

http://www.wired.com/dangerroom/2011/06/power-down-senate-zaps-navys-superlaser-railgun/#more-49575

http://dvice.com/archives/2011/06/senate-cancels.php