Fredericksburg.com - A missile punch at bullet prices
Back in October the Navy tested an electro-magnetic rail gun firing a 3.2 kg projectile at a speed of 6,700 mph. That's fast. Using electrical power from a naval nuclear power plant instead of carrying tons of explosives will also make the weapon safer for the crew.
The projectiles for the cannon are expected to be in the $1000s range, compared to the $1000000 range for the Tomahawk cruise missile the Navy currently uses. So, faster, safer, more timely support adapting proven technology. Build, Deploy, Upgrade, we in the technology business say. Good going, Navy.
And, for the libs, here's the reminder:
"The concept was born in the 1970s then promoted when President Ronald Reagan proposed the anti-missile "Star Wars" Strategic Defense Initiative. The SDI railgun was originally intended to use super high-velocity projectiles to shoot down incoming ballistic missiles. "

Comments (1)
3.2 Kg? At 6,700 MPH? Whoo-eeee that baby's movin'. Dang, imagine the kinetic energy behind that badboy.
Posted by The Swamp Fox
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April 14, 2007 9:10 PM
Posted on April 14, 2007 21:10