The US Navy conducted an electromagnetic gun test

Unlike weapons that rely on the chemical reaction of explosives to propel bullets like gunpowder, the electric gun accelerates the bullet along the metal ring using a magnetic force produced. by electricity. While the speed of a gun is limited to 4389 km / h, the US Navy says the railgun will be able to fire at 7242 to 9012 km / h.

This greatly expands the range of target attacks up to 407km, instead of just 92 to 185km as originally planned. The navy also said that this would give rise to a number of enhanced advantages, such as providing surface support firepower, land-based attack and enhanced cruise missile performance. ballistic missile defense. In addition, the use of new electromagnetic guns will help improve the safety of the weapons when used on board because it does not use explosives.

However, the high speed of the reaction will cause a lot of friction during the shot and when the current passes it will increase the heat produced. To address this problem, the next phase of the EM railgun program is to focus on the development of automated reloading systems and thermal management systems that increase the firing rate of the weapon. ONR recently signed a $ 10 million contract to develop a continuous pulse power system. These contracts mark the beginning of the five-year plan to achieve a rate of six to ten bullets per minute by the US Navy. And at the moment, attention is being paid to testing the 32-megajune guns conducted by General Atomics.