The Department of Defense has released footage of the Navy’s electromagnetic railgun which uses electricity instead of traditional chemical propellants to launch projectiles. It can fire a projectile faster, farther and with greater impact than a gun that uses gunpowder, sending projectiles over 100 nautical miles and six times the speed of sound.
The Department of Defense explains that this new technology will give us an advantage on the battlefield, “With its increased velocity and extended range, the EM Railgun will give Sailors a multi-mission capability, allowing them to conduct precise naval surface fire support or land strikes; ship defense; and surface warfare to deter enemy vessels.”
The railgun made its public debut at the the Naval Future Force Science & Technology EXPO sponsored by the Office of Naval Research (ONR) and the American Society of Naval Engineers.
In an interview about the expo with Military Times Peter Vietti, spokesman for the ONR explains the importance of the key technologies that were presented.
“This year’s Expo promises to deliver opportunities for sailors and Marines to interact with members of the naval science and technology community who are confronting the toughest technological challenges that they face on the front lines…In addition, they will be able to see, first-hand, displays and demonstrations of the latest innovations that are contributing to the building of the future force.”
The EXPO was held in Washington, D.C. on February 4-5, 2015.
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