Railguns exist?!

[reignofdeath]

So I may be way behind the curve here, but I read an article stating that the Navy has actually test fired a working prototype or something close to a rail gun (currently called the AGS) that they plan to place on ships.

Not only that but they 'state' that "it has broken through the barrier of being more expensive and is now and has much more potential to be much more cost effective than traditional explosive armaments.

Just about a year ago I read this was technology reserved for 10+ years ahead?

However, read for yourselves, I apologize if I miss-quoted I am just stunned that this kind of technology is finally coming to light. :-?

Source: http://www.foxnews.com/tech/2012/02/28/its-real-navy-test-fires-first-working-prototype-railgun/

[Aarnoman]

Railguns are essentially really not that special (in terms of future technology).
Here's a link for a DIY project:
http://www.princeton.edu/~romalis/PHYS210/railgun/railgun.html

:)

[Seth8530]

Yeah, rail-guns are definitely real. Some of the technology for it has been developed down the road from me. ORNL.

[Oberon]

Yeah, they fired it last year, one of BAEs new toys IIRC.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-uV1SbEuzFU

IIRC one of the major limitations that they're working on to correct is the high wearing out rate of the track which can severely limit the lifespan of the weapon.

Of course, if they could just find a level five esper then their problems would be solved [/obscurereference]

EDIT: Also, in before Cybermat HALO reference.

[Red October1984]

I'm surprised that you've never found out about this.

[Feuer Frei!]

I'm surprised that you've never found out about this.

Old news. Infact:

http://www.smartplanet.com/blog/thinking-tech/navy-shows-off-supersonic-railgun-fires-test-shots/10556


http://www.military.com/video/guns/naval-guns/bae-electromagnetic-railgun/1478812663001/

and soforth and so-on.

[Herr-Berbunch]

And you don't even have to go external to Subsim -

http://www.subsim.com/radioroom/showthread.php?t=177039&highlight=railgun

http://www.subsim.com/radioroom/showthread.php?t=177879&highlight=railgun

http://www.subsim.com/radioroom/showthread.php?t=184687&highlight=railgun

http://www.subsim.com/radioroom/showthread.php?t=192892&highlight=railgun

[Jimbuna]

Rgr that :yep:

[Cybermat47]

EDIT: Also, in before Cybermat HALO reference.

I... I wasn't going to do anything like that... :shifty:

[Red October1984]

I... I wasn't going to do anything like that... :shifty:

Yeah...sure....

Keep telling yourself that and you might just believe it. :03:

[ETR3(SS)]

Yeah they're doing away with the traditional steam catapults as well and replacing them with electromagnetic launchers on the new line of carriers.