The only way to survive - not to fall

The U.S. military has moved to a new stage of testing combat railgun, whose shells fly at supersonic speeds and penetrate the most powerful armor

After years of testing a prototype of an electromagnetic rail gun (railgun) was first placed outside the laboratory walls - osrd U.S. Navy established prototypes of weapons on board a high-speed catamaran multipurpose "Millinocket" - says Naval Technology.

The project, which the Pentagon has allocated $ 250 million, taking part of BAE Systems and General Atomics. Each company is modeled on, now they are delivered to the naval base in the Californian city of San Diego, which is based "Millinocket."

"At this stage tested a prototype developed BAE Systems», - says the head of the Office of Naval research Rear Adm. Matthew Klander. "He can shoot down ballistic missiles, he can knock down the most advanced cruise missiles and fast-moving aircraft. The gun is extremely effective and safe at the same time "- CNN reports Klandera words.

Safe use of the railgun is explained by the type of projectile - in fact, it is a special form of blank, improves its aerodynamic qualities. In the absence of explosive munition makes it virtually impossible to undermine the arsenal ship, which set a railgun. Now the production of one projectile for electromagnetic gun costs $ 25,000, which is nearly a hundred times cheaper than conventional rocket ship. It is also small and light that can dramatically increase the size of ammunition.

But the main advantage of the railgun is not cheap ammunition or their small size, and the destructive power of weapons. Overclocked along the guide rails inside the barrel by means of an electromagnetic field the projectile flies seven times the speed of sound, reaching speeds in excess of 8000 kilometers per hour. That's why it does not require explosives - to destroy targets using kinetic energy. Munition has a guidance system and flies up to 200 kilometers.

Shot of a railgun, the frame of the camera shooting the bullet. Photo: John F. Williams / U.S. Navy / AP

This shell has incredible penetrating power, explained in an interview with "Russian planet" Vice-President of the Academy of Geopolitical Problems, Doctor of Military Sciences Konstantin Sivkov.

"The projectile is overclocked by the electromagnetic field, and not a powder jet, flying at a speed close to the space. For comparison, the overclocked so champagne cork breaks through the concrete slab thickness of 50 centimeters. When the rail gun projectile penetrates armor, then into a tank or ship fly into splinters, heated to a temperature of 1000-1500 degrees, which hit the crew can cause undermining of shells and fire fuels and lubricants "- describes the action of ammunition expert.

As noted Sivkov have this type of weapons has its drawbacks. "Strong electromagnetic fields give the location of military equipment, equipped with a gun - they can not hide, even with special protection. To ensure the guns need a huge supply of electricity. Finally, have not yet learned to disperse large mass projectiles. Now the scope for Electromagnetic weapons are clearly defined - this space, where air resistance is minimal and well defeat armored targets, "- says Doctor of Military Sciences.

To date protection railgun does not exist, according to the deputy director of the Institute of Political and Military Analysis, Alexander Hramchihin. "I can not imagine armor can withstand the blow of such a projectile. The only way to survive - not to fall into the affected area. But the projectile velocity is much higher than usual, so that the goal will be extremely difficult to dodge, "- said the expert RP.

Rail gun firing tests in the marine environment will be only in 2016, reports KGTV. While the U.S. Navy scientists intend to gradually establish cooperation ship systems and devices, as well as train crew handling a gun.

Calculated as the U.S. military in the future will be posted on the railgun stealth destroyers like "Zamvolt" - these new multipurpose ships planned to arm combat laser systems, fleet of drones and other types of advanced weapons. Nuclear reactors superavianostsev type "Nimitz" in theory allow for energy options most powerful electromagnetic weapons.