 |
| Electromagnetic railgun. Navy photo |
The Navy plans to test a prototype electromagnetic railgun aboard a joint high speed vessel in fiscal year 2016, the service said today. It will mark the first time an EM railgun is demonstrated at sea. Railguns use an electromagnetic force, known as the Lorenz Force, to rapidly accelerate and launch a projectile between two conductive rails. The launch is at such high velocities that it can achieve greater ranges than conventional guns and maintains enough kinetic energy that it doesn't require any kind of high explosive payload. High-energy EM railguns are expected to be lethal and effective against multiple threats, including enemy warships, small boats, aircraft, missiles and land-based targets. The final system will be able to launch guided, multi-mission projectiles to a range of 110 nautical miles. The Navy is using a JHSV because of its available cargo and topside space and schedule flexibility. A final decision has not been made on which ship classes will receive a fully operational railgun."Energetic weapons, such as EM railguns, are the future of naval combat," said Rear Adm. Matt Klunder, the chief of naval research. "The U.S. Navy is at the forefront of this game-changing technology." (Source:
NNS, 04/07/14)
Gulf Coast note: JHSVs are built by Austal USA in Mobile, Ala.
