Navy Electromagnetic Rail Gun Fires GPS Controlled Bullets at 5,600 mph

Gadizmo ^ | 2 August 2012 | R.J. Huneke

[Vineyard]

I watched the video. Why is there an explosive flash if there are not explosive propellants?

The rail gun works by electromotive force ....consider the "gun barrel" to have a top electric rail and a bottom electric rail.

The projectile is conductive (aluminum slug) ...so that electric current can flow from one rail to the other rail - through the slug. Very high current flowing also generates a magnetic field...and the projectile moves because of the magnetic forces. (Think of a motor ...the rails are the stator - stationary, the slug is the moving part - a rotor on a motor...) As the projectile exits the rails - the electric current breaks apart ....drawing a very humongous spark!

Think of the slug having a half-million amps flowing...and suddenly the electric circuit is interrupted/broken. One heck of an arc!

[aimhigh]

Makes sense. Thanks.

[Elendur]

these projectiles could potentially be stored almost anywhere on a ship safely, rather than a handful of armored, floodable magazines.
= = =
This reintroduces the BB battleship as a naval combatant.
///
great points!
the weight savings from armored magazines,
would also help smaller vessels, and even tanks,
if the gun was small enough to fit.
...oddly, the ammo instead of needing protection,
could actually be stored in a way, to give additional protection to crew compartments, etc.
(especially if the projectiles are depleted uranium.)

[SampleMan]

...oddly, the ammo instead of needing protection, could actually be stored in a way, to give additional protection to crew compartments, etc.

Good point.

[GATOR NAVY]

In earlier wars large caliber AP ammo often went through lightly armored ships without even exploding-if the shells hit nothing substantial enough to set off the fuse they just left entry and exit holes with some damage in between. At these velocities wouldn’t this kind of projectile do the same thing if it hit nothing that could stop it? They would probably be awesome against a bunker though.

[Doomonyou]

This will change deer hunting forever.

LOL! I thought the same thing!