Railguns!!11

Krisali · 9 Apr 2014 at 13:52

Just saw this in the independent, pretty awesome unless you go to war with the US. I just hope they don't suck like they did in EVE online!

http://www.independent.co.uk/life-style/gadgets-and-tech/us-to-deploy-game-changing-electromagnetic-railgun-that-fires-at-7-times-the-speed-of-sound-9248244.html

Judgeneo · 9 Apr 2014 at 14:23

Big ol' BAESystems logo there, seems that these guns are British

When was the last time an american ship engaged in combat, will these even see use?

zyzzyzus · 9 Apr 2014 at 14:27

the railgun simply fires a solid lump of metal,

Sounds like a glorified cannon.

Redz · 9 Apr 2014 at 14:27

I misread the thread title and was reminded of this advert

ChroniC · 9 Apr 2014 at 14:29

Clearly either top secret or just plain not worth it, cause this tech has been round for ages.

Cleisthenes · 9 Apr 2014 at 14:30

Holy crap

platinum87 · 9 Apr 2014 at 14:30

Whats this "game changing" nonsense, and why do people re-quote it?

Vidar · 9 Apr 2014 at 14:33

What really frustrates me is why us Brits are not developing advanced weapons such as these and if we are why aren't we seeing them put into use?

tom_e · 9 Apr 2014 at 14:33

zyzzyzus said:
the railgun simply fires a solid lump of metal,

Click to expand...

Sounds like a glorified cannon.

A $25k lump of metal! :eek:

malfunkshun · 9 Apr 2014 at 14:36

platinum87 said:
Whats this "game changing" nonsense, and why do people re-quote it?

Oh I think that being able to send a projectile of any kind down range at something like 5500mph is somewhat game changing.

Abraxaz1 · 9 Apr 2014 at 14:36

Developed by bae systems, name pretty much invalidates your post.
Quite good idea if they can remove magazine storage in ships.

OhEsEcks · 9 Apr 2014 at 14:36

Vidar said:
What really frustrates me is why us Brits are not developing advanced weapons such as these and if we are why aren't we seeing them put into use?

BAE is British.

MissChief · 9 Apr 2014 at 14:39

You mean this wasn't real?

Pabl0 · 9 Apr 2014 at 14:39

Who said we aren't?

Who are we going to fire them at?

Zenduri · 9 Apr 2014 at 14:39

Vidar said:
What really frustrates me is why us Brits are not developing advanced weapons such as these and if we are why aren't we seeing them put into use?

Because when was the last time you heard of a ship firing its main cannons on another ship or target.

it's cool tech but completely invalid for this use

OhEsEcks · 9 Apr 2014 at 14:41

Pabl0 said:
Who are we going to fire them at?

Due to their size and complexity, nobody. Not until there's a naval battle in which boats go broadside against each other instead of sitting back and launching radar guided missles and carriers sending out jets.

Reeve · 9 Apr 2014 at 14:42

This actually might prove effective vs other ships. I can't imagine a Phalanx being very effective against a solid lump travelling that fast.

Krisali · 9 Apr 2014 at 14:45

I'm aware BAE is British but the US navy seems to be the customer here and does have a far more impressive navy than we do. They will likely serve as a deterent rather than seeing actualy use.

I bet the amount of energy these things can transfer would be most impressive. If they actually shot it at a ship would it disintegrate it or be a case of in and out the other side?

fire_munki · 9 Apr 2014 at 14:49

You'd combine it with the cruise missile, more methods of hitting a target means more chances.
Plus at only 25k plus some electricity a shot you'd be happy send a few rounds down range on the off chance you hit a target.

Krisali · 9 Apr 2014 at 14:49

OhEsEcks said:
Due to their size and complexity, nobody. Not until there's a naval battle in which boats go broadside against each other instead of sitting back and launching radar guided missles and carriers sending out jets.

100 mile range don't forget