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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. <ref>[http://www.technologyreview.com/Infotech/20164/?nlid=857 Technology Review, Feb. 2008: "Electromagnetic Railgun Blasts Off"]</ref>

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, completing the circuit at the power supply.  The flow of electricity 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. <ref>[http://www.technologyreview.com/Infotech/20164/?nlid=857 Technology Review, Feb. 2008: "Electromagnetic Railgun Blasts Off"]</ref>

[[Image:Railgun Navy1.jpg|right|thumb|250px|Photograph taken from a high-speed video camera during a record-setting firing of an electromagnetic railgun (EMRG) at Naval Surface Warfare Center, Dahlgren, Va., on January 31, 2008, firing at 10.64MJ (megajoules) with a muzzle velocity of 2520 meters per second.]]

[[Image:Railgun Navy1.jpg|right|thumb|250px|Photograph taken from a high-speed video camera during a record-setting firing of an electromagnetic railgun (EMRG) at Naval Surface Warfare Center, Dahlgren, Va., on January 31, 2008, firing at 10.64MJ (megajoules) with a muzzle velocity of 2520 meters per second.]]

Railguns provide a capability for sustained, offensive power projection, complementary to missiles and tactical aircraft. They may be a cost-effective solution to the Marine Corp Naval Surface Fire Support requirements because of their unique capability to simultaneously satisfy three key war-fighting objectives:

Railguns provide a capability for sustained, offensive power projection, complementary to missiles and tactical aircraft. They may be a cost-effective solution to the Marine Corp Naval Surface Fire Support requirements because of their unique capability to simultaneously satisfy three key war-fighting objectives: