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Saturday, March 25, 2017

US military tests 'Star Wars' electromagnetic railgun that fires projectiles at 4,500mph and can penetrate concrete 100 miles away

Railgun exceeds accelerations of Mach 6, which is six times the speed of sound
It uses electromagnetic energy to propel a metal projectile at huge speeds
Powerful missiles are fuelled by a 'pulse power system' and ship electricity
Navy has been working on the gun since 2005 and say it is the future of warfare

The US Navy are testing an electromagnetic gun that can fire ammo at 4,500 mph --Because the missile is fired using kinetic energy, this eliminates the risks associated with keeping explosives on a ship

The US Navy is testing an electromagnetic gun that can fire projectiles at six times the speed of sound

Because the missile is fired using kinetic energy, this eliminates the risks associated with keeping explosives on a ship

The technology uses electromagnets to send its projectiles hurtling off at thousands of miles per hour. The force generated can be adjusted, depending on the range of the target

The EM Railgun relies on energy that is generated by the ship, according to the Office of Naval Research--The technology uses electromagnets to send its projectiles hurtling off at thousands of miles per hour. The force generated can be adjusted, depending on the range of the target

By PHOEBE WESTON FOR MAILONLINE-22 March 2017

The US Navy is testing an electromagnetic gun that can fire projectiles at six times the speed of sound.

Described as 'Star Wars technology' by researchers, these powerful missiles don't rely on chemical propellants and are fuelled by electricity alone.

Strong magnetic fields are created by electricity on the ship and a 'pulse power system' to sent propellants flying at 4,500mph.

The technology has previously been shown to penetrate concrete at 100 miles away.

Railguns are touted as one of the future technologies of warfare, using kinetic and laser energies instead of classic controlled explosives.

Because the missile is fired using kinetic energy this eliminates the risks associated with keeping explosives on a ship.

The Department of the Navy's science and technology corporate board chartered the Innovative Naval Prototype (INP) to build the EM Railgun, which uses generated by the ship, according to the Office of Naval Research.

An electric pulse is sent to the railgun which creates an electromagnetic force which releases the projectile at Mach 6, or 4,500 mph.

According to the ONR: 'The railgun is a true warfighter game changer.

'Wide-area coverage and exceptionally quick response will extend the reach and lethality of ships armed with this technology.

'A future weapon system at this energy level would be capable of launching a 100+ nautical mile projectile'.

The railgun was tested Dahlgren naval facility's new Terminal Range in Virginia.

The US Navy has been working on the gun with BAE Systems since 2005.

During phase I developers focused on developing pulsed power technology.

During phase II, which started in 2012, will further develop the pulsed power system and the launcher system.

'We've got to move away from gunpowder,' said Fox's defense analyst, Allison Barrie last year.

'The future is lasers and electromagnetic railguns', he said.

Last year, a similar device called the Blitzer railgun also released a missile at Mach 6 speeds.

Relying on the same technology, this railgun was designed by San Diego-based General Atomics Electromagnetic Systems (GA-EMS).

It also used electromagnets to send its projectiles hurtling off at thousands of miles per hour.

The electromagnetic force generated can be adjusted, depending on the range of the target.

The advanced military technology would mean that, in practice, projectiles could hit speeds equivalent to more than 4,500mph on leaving the chamber, super-heating the air in front of them and generating a sonic boom as it smashes through the sound barrier.

According to Barrie, these ultra-high speeds are 'critical for maximum effect' in destroying targets.

GA-EMS has worked steadily to develop the technology, as has its rival British firm BAE Systems, and the advanced military technology has undergone testing with the US Navy since 2012.

In warfare, the weapon's could be used to strike targets on land, sea or air with great precision.

The main advantages over traditional explosives are stated as improved safety - due to less explosives on board - and could drastically reduce the costs.

'This is so important in terms of maintaining naval dominance and in ensuring the United States has absolute naval, maritime superiority going forward in the future,' added Fox's Barrie.

HOW DOES THE RAILGUN REACH SUCH SPEEDS?

Railguns use electricity instead of gunpowder to accelerate a projectile at six or seven times the speed of sound.

Using an electromagnetic force known as the Lorenz Force, the gun accelerates a projectile between two rails that conduct electricity, before launching it at ferocious speed.

This means the railgun can fire further than conventional guns and maintain enough kinetic energy to inflict tremendous damage.

Tests have shown that the weapons can fire a shell weighing 10kg at up to 5,400mph over 100 miles - with such force and accuracy it penetrates three concrete walls or six half-inch thick steel plates.

The video below shows tests of BAE's model.