BAE Systems to develop railgun

MINNEAPOLIS, Minnesota - BAE Systems was awarded a $21 million, 30-month contract from the Office of Naval Research to develop an advanced electromagnetic railgun for the Navy. The railgun, including a composite launcher, will be demonstrated by 2011. Railguns use electrical energy instead of chemical energy to launch projectiles at hypervelocities with a range in excess of 200 nautical miles. One advantage is the safety and logistics aspect because it uses no explosives in firing or storage. BAE Systems has partnered with IAP Research and SAIC on the project. (Source: BAE Systems, 02/16/09) Gulf Coast note: Gulf Coast shipbuilders are involved in the development of next-generation warships; BAE Systems has operations in the Gulf Coast.