IDEF 2019: Turkish-made Electromagnetic Rail Gun unveiled by Yeteknoloji.

Turkish Company Yeteknoloji unveils its project of Electromagnetic Rail Gun technology dubbed SAHI 209 during IDEF 2019, the International Defense Exhibition in Turkey. Yeteknoloji A.Ş. which was started to find national solutions and original designs on Electromagnetic Rail Gun Technology works on electromagnetic rail gun, electromagnetic catapult and high technology systems.

SAHI 209 Electromagnetic Rail Gun developed by Turkish Company Yeteknoloji at IDEF 2019, defense exhibition in Istanbul, Turkey. May 1, 2019. (Picture source Army Recognition)

In Turkey, works in the technological field started with pulse power supply production activities in 1972 and continued with the development of the first electronically controlled switching high current control system in 1985 since the first conceptual model in 2008 until today.

With this gamechanger technology, the rail gun has the potential to be an effective alternative in defense and attack against hypersonic weapons which are a source of concern in the world. The system, rather than replacing existing systems, as a support element for them; It has the ability to perform operations with maximum security, be very advantageous in terms of logistics, and to execute operations with cheaper and faster hits on the target than other systems.

The working principle of the electromagnetic rail gun system called as future defense technology game changer which does not need gunpowder; The magnetic field generated by the high current is based on the propulsion of ammunition or projectile at very high speeds, such as 6 times the speed of sound.

Made official acceptance by the Presidency of Defense Industries in July 2018 Turkey’s first and the world’s third fieldable RAIL GUN system which field-tested “directed energy weapon” and completely developed with national resources ŞAHİ-209 Block1, 1-megajoule pulsed power supply, with 300 gram weight ammunition has a range of 10 kilometers. It can be effective in 50 km range with maximum 10-megajoule pulse power supply which is a new version of ŞAHİ-209 Block2. ŞAHİ 209 Block 2, which has a hypersonic muzzle velocity has a barrel length of 7 meters, started field tests and successfully performed the first shots.

Using electricity instead of an explosive propellant for launch provides ease of logistics, ease of use, operation – storage security. It can shoot at hypersonic velocities at and above MACH 6 with a very low cost compared to conventional gunpowder systems. RAIL GUN, which has a very low radar cross-sectional area which is faster at hit to the target, which is very difficult to detect. It has a much higher and more destructive power.