I don't see the pragmatism of this weapon.
Posted on 04/11/2014 5:31:07 AM PDT by C19fan
A lethal new weapon that can fire a shell at seven times the speed of sound has been successfully tested on land. Described as ‘Star Wars technology’ by researchers, such a device has belonged solely to the world of science fiction for decades. But now it is close to a reality with sea trials on a US warship planned in two years.
(Excerpt) Read more at dailymail.co.uk ...
I think the range of the shells to hit targets inland will be around 200 miles.
Picture throwing a Volkswagen 100 miles at 5000 MPH. Then it hits something.
With the proper projectile and that much kinetic energy I think it’s safe to say we nor anybody else has the armor to stop it.
Incredible penetration. More damage against armored targets, and less explosive damage against less-armored targets.
Think of the force something comparatively small and light like a 50 cal. hits with at a fraction of the speed. Then multiply up.
Ain’t much that can stop the kinetic energy of a rail gun. Which is a way is a problem. Because depending on the projectile, it could simply slice through whatever it hits leaving a nice hole and keep on going. But I’m sure they accounted for that ;)
It’s not the brute force, it’s the range and accuracy. I wonder how many global hotspots are within 200 miles of the ocean?
It may be the reason that there is less focus on cruise missiles.
Let’s test it on land some more.
North Korean land.
I don't see the pragmatism of this weapon.
The Star Wars description is really stupid. They use energy weapons.
You see railguns/mass drivers in The Last Starfighter, Wing Commander and Battletech.
If I’m up to date on Newtonian physics, what’s the recoil like with something like this
...and give the Chicoms a chance to reverse engineer this thing? I hope not!!!
Use the force Luke, trust the force.
The technology will be given away to level the playing field. We can’t have any advantage remember.
And how many of those hotspots will have land-based anti-ship missiles with a range > 200 miles, like the Chinese HY-4 variant of the Silkworm missile series?
Mecca.
At Mach 7, the range will be thousands of miles.
At Mach 7, the range will be thousands of miles.
At Mach 7, the range will be thousands of miles.
It is the reason every major military power is scrambling desperately to upgrade from large manned aircraft to smaller drones.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.