Changes

A railgun is a type of artillery that fire projectiles at supersonic speeds by launching them out of using electromagnetism instead of gun powder. Current expectations for railguns are a 400 mile (643.6 kilometer) range and an impact velocity in excess of Mach 8. Current problems with railguns are power generation and barrel life. Railguns require large amounts of power to work in the first place. They also go through barrels quickly because of the extreme temperatures inside the barrel. Railguns currently only exist as prototypes and in science fiction.

A railgun is a type of artillery that fire projectiles at supersonic speeds by launching them out of using electromagnetism instead of gun powder. Current expectations for railguns are a 400 mile (643.6 kilometer) range and an impact velocity in excess of Mach 8. Railguns are specifically weapons that consist of two conductive rails and a conductive projectile which is inserted between the rails.  A current is passed up through the negative rail, across the projectile and then down the positive rail, completeing the circuit at the power supply.  The flow of elctricity causes the railgun to behave like an electromagnet, and the physics involved cause the projectile to be launched down the rail.  This process is specific to the functioning of the railgun, thereby giving the weapon its name. 

 

 

Current problems with railguns are power generation and barrel life. Railguns require large amounts of power to work in the first place. They also go through barrels quickly because of the extreme temperatures inside the barrel. Railguns currently only exist as prototypes and in science fiction.

[[Category: Military]]

[[Category: Military]]

[[Category: Technology]]

[[Category: Technology]]