Railgun

The US Navy Office of Naval Research has just tested its new electromagnetic railgun – a weapon that fires projectiles using only (really strong) magnetic fields.

When operating at maximum power the railgun will fire a projectile 370km at seven times the speed of sound, over 5000 miles per hour.

More video after the jump…

3 thoughts on “Railgun

  1. Why does there appear to be a flame trailing behind the projectile – surely if the weapon is electromagnetic, there is no need for propellant?

  2. The flames come from the air resistance between the air and the extremely fast projectile – the extreme heat generated is setting fire to the air itself.

    The same effect is seen when high speed spacecraft (re-)enter Earth’s atmosphere.

  3. Apparently the projectiles are initially accelerated by an explosive, which could also explain the effect.

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