The
U.S. Navy plans to install and test a prototype electromagnetic railgun
aboard a joint high speed vessel in fiscal year 2016, the service announced
today. This test will mark the first time an electromagnetic railgun
(EM railgun) has been demonstrated at sea, symbolizing a significant
advance in naval combat.
EM railgun technology uses an electromagnetic force - known as the Lorenz
Force - to rapidly accelerate and launch a projectile between two conductive
rails. This guided projectile is launched at such high velocities that
it can achieve greater ranges than conventional guns. It maintains enough
kinetic energy that it doesn't require any kind of high explosive payload
when it reaches its target. |
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 electromagnetic railgun represents an incredible new offensive
capability for the U.S. Navy," said Rear Adm. Bryant Fuller, the
Navy's chief engineer. "This capability will allow us to effectively
counter a wide-range of threats at a relatively low cost, while keeping
our ships and sailors safer by removing the need to carry as many high-explosive
weapons."
EM railgun technology will complement current kinetic weapons currently
onboard surface combatants and offer a few specific advantages. Against
specific threats, the cost per engagement is orders of magnitude less
expensive than comparable missile engagements. The projectile itself
is being designed to be common with some current powder guns, enabling
the conservation of expensive missiles for use against more complex
threats.
"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."
This demonstration is the latest in a series of technical maturation
efforts designed to provide an operational railgun to the fleet. Since
2005, the Navy and its partners in industry and academia have been testing
railgun technology at the Naval Surface Warfare Center in Dahlgren,
Va., and the Naval Research Lab where the service has a number of prototype
systems.
The final operational system will be capable of launching guided, multi-mission
projectiles to a range of 110 nautical miles against a wide range of
threats. The series of tests are designed to capture lessons for incorporation
into a future tactical design and will allow the Navy to best understand
needed ship modifications before fully integrating the technology.
The Navy is using JHSV as a vessel of opportunity because of its available
cargo and topside space and schedule flexibility. Because JHSVs are
non-combatants, there is no plan to permanently install a railgun on
any ship of the class. A final decision has not been made on which ship
classes will receive a fully operational railgun. |
