Navy's electromagnetic railgun launches projectiles up to Mach 7

The Office of Naval Research (ONR) unveiled its electromagnetic railgun for the first time at the Naval Future Force Science & Technology EXPO last week

And with the ability to launch a hyper-velocity projectile (HVP) up to Mach 7 in less than a second, it’s a doozy.

You may have heard about the Innovative Naval Prototype (INP) initiative, designed to foster “game-changing and disruptive technologies ahead of the normal requirements process.” And the ONR — in conjunction with BAE Systems — launched the Electromagnetic Railgun INP in 2005. The goal of this initial phase was a proof-of-concept demonstration of 32 mega-joule muzzle energy, and we’re currently embroiled in Phase II (FY ’12-’17) which, among other things, aims to certify a rep-rate fire capability.

The railgun is a true next-gen weapon system and a major improvement over existing chemical-based propellants. How does it work? First, the pulsed-power system stores electricity generated by the ship for several seconds. An electrical pulse accelerates a sliding metal conductor between two rails, launching a 28-pound HVP up to 5,600 mph.

The HVPs go from 0 to Mach 7 in less than a second, traveling 100+ nautical miles. For some perspective, the SR-71 Blackbird only reaches Mach 3. Meanwhile, the Mk 45 naval gun mount can only shoot conventional ammunition 13 nautical miles.

Still not impressed? Try this — according to the ONR’s exhibit at the Naval Future Force EXPO, the kinetic energy in a 30 mega-joule railgun projectile launch is the equivalent of an M1 Abrams tank travelling at 72 mph or a family sedan traveling at 410 mph! The railgun generates 32 mega-joules, by the way.

And according to Roger Ellis, Program Manager for the railgun INP, more than 3 million amps of current flow through the device.

The first thing that struck me — as a journalist attending the EXPO — was the railgun’s size. BAE’s prototype on the show floor was about 10 meters long, and it looked every inch the terror it’ll be to the poor saps on the receiving end.

Initially, the Navy will use the railgun for precise naval surface fire support or land strikes, ship defense, and surface warfare. And while it’ll be a caustic nightmare for America’s enemies, the railgun’s kinetic-energy warhead will reduce the hazards associated with toting shipboard explosives. As for that vaunted rapid-fire capability — it’ll launch the HVPs at a rate of 10 per minute.

"The Electromagnetic Railgun brings significant technological advances to our Sailors and Marines," said Roger Ellis. "As the system moves forward along its planned schedule from the laboratory launcher, we've achieved breakthroughs in compact power and gun design, and will test the next phase of prototype at both sea- and land-based sites in 2016 and 2017."

The railgun will advance to at-sea testing in 2016, before transitioning to an acquisition program and full-scale deployment to the fleet.