[factoryrat]

Any aspiring electrical engineer who has cracked open a textbook that explained electromagnetism theory or electric motor design could figure out how to build a rail gun. The trick is to figure out how to store, control, switch, and transfer ridiculous amounts of electrical energy in extremely short amounts of time. The current state of the art can produce energy transfers that come close to chemical reactions, with the difference being that the electromagnetic guns can achieve higher efficiency in the conversion process. In other words, moving the same amount of projectile, with either less energy than using an explosive propellant, or being able to dump way more power into moving a projectile than would be possible using conventional chemical propellant.

[MV=PY]

Thank you.

The only worry I can see is that once the projectile is launched no adjustments can be made to its trajectory,unless they have aerodynamic controls (e.g. dynamic fins).

Missiles have an advantage in that they have continuous thrust that can be directed.

Still, it would get someone’s attention to see a Volkswagen flying in their direction...

[Jeff Chandler]

I read somewhere that launching a projectile with electromagnetism is not a problem. The problem is constructing a launch mechanism that will remain intact over enough launches to be practical. The rails push themselves apart.

[mvpel]

General Atomics Blitzer Railgun Promo Video