As was foretold, we've added advertisements to the forums! If you have questions, or if you encounter any bugs, please visit this thread: https://forums.penny-arcade.com/discussion/240191/forum-advertisement-faq-and-reports-thread/

Real railgun successfully tested

ZeroFillZeroFill Feeling much better.A nice, green leaf.Registered User regular
edited January 2007 in Social Entropy++
Welcome to the future

just don't be a railgun whore



A missile punch at bullet prices

Normally, new weaponry tends to make defense more expensive. But the Navy likes to say its new railgun delivers the punch of a missile at bullet prices.A demonstration of the futuristic and comparatively inexpensive weapon yesterday at the Naval Surface Warfare Center at Dahlgren had Navy brass smiling.The weapon, which was successfully tested in October at the King George County base, fires nonexplosive projectiles at incredible speeds, using electricity rather than gun powder.The technology could increase the striking range of U.S. Navy ships more than tenfold by the year 2020."It's pretty amazing capability, and it went off without a hitch," said Capt. Joseph McGettigan, commander of NSWC Dahlgren Division.
"The biggest thing is it's real--not just something on the drawing board," he said.The railgun works by sending electric current along parallel rails, creating an electromagnetic force so powerful it can fire a projectile at tremendous speed.Because the gun uses electricity and not gunpowder to fire projectiles, it's safer, eliminating the possibility of explosions on ships and vehicles equipped with it.Instead, a powerful pulse generator is used.

The prototype fired at Dahlgren is only an 8-megajoule electromagnetic device, but the one to be used on Navy ships will generate a massive 64 megajoules. Current Navy guns generate about 9 megajoules of muzzle energy.The railgun's 200 to 250 nautical-mile range will allow Navy ships to strike deep in enemy territory while staying out of reach of hostile forces.
Rear Adm. William E. "Bill" Landay, chief of Naval Research, said Navy railgun progress from the drawing board to reality has been rapid.
"A year ago, this was [just] a good idea we all wanted to pursue," he said.

Elizabeth D'Andrea of the Office of Naval Research said a 32-megajoule lab gun will be delivered to Dahlgren in June.Charles Garnett, project director, called the projectile fired by the railgun "a supersonic bullet," and the weapon itself is "a very simple device."He compared the process to charging up a battery on the flash of a digital camera, then pushing the button and "dumping that charge," producing a magnetic field that drives the metal-cased ordnance instead of gun powder.The projectile fired yesterday weighed only 3.2 kilograms and had no warhead. Future railgun ordnance won't be large and heavy, either, but will deliver the punch of a Tomahawk cruise missile because of the immense speed of the projectile at impact.Garnett compared that force to hitting a target with a Ford Taurus at 380 mph. "It will take out a building," he said. Warheads aren't needed because of the massive force of impact. The range for 5-inch guns now on Navy ships is less than 15 nautical miles, Garnett said. He said the railgun will extend that range to more than 200 nautical miles and strike a target that far away in six minutes. A Tomahawk missile covers that same distance in eight minutes. The Navy isn't estimating a price tag at this point, with actual use still about 13 years away. But it does know it will be a comparatively cheap weapon to use. "A Tomahawk is about a million dollars a shot," McGettigan said. "One of these things is pretty inexpensive compared to that." He said estimates today are that railgun projectiles will cost less than $1,000 each, "but it's going to depend on the electronics."

Projectiles will probably eventually have fins for GPS control and navigation.To achieve that kind of control and minimize collateral damage, railgun ordnance will require electronic innards that can survive tremendous stress coming out of the muzzle. "When this thing leaves, it's [under] hundreds of thousands of g 's, and the electronics of today won't survive that," he said. "We need to develop something that will survive that many g 's." At the peak of its ballistic trajectory, the projectile will reach an altitude of 500,000 feet, or about 95 miles, actually exiting the Earth's atmosphere. The railgun will save precious minutes in providing support for U.S. Army and Marine Corps forces on the ground under fire from the enemy. "The big difference is that with a Tomahawk, planning a mission takes a certain period of time," McGettigan said. "With this, you get GPS coordinates, put that into the system and the response to target is much quicker from call to fire to actual impact." General Atomics, a San Diego defense contractor, was awarded a $10 million contract for the project last spring. 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.

The railgun works by sending electric current along parallel rails. It creates an electromagnetic force so powerful it can fire a metal projectile at tremendous speed. Because the gun uses electricity, not gunpowder, to fire projectiles, it's safer, eliminating the possibility of explosions. Instead of gunpowder, a powerful electric pulse generator is used. The basic concept of the weapon demonstrated at Dahlgren yesterday may be familiar to many from science fiction.Futuristic space man Buck Rogers used a sort of railgun in a sci-fi novel.In the film "Eraser," Arnold Schwarzenegger uncovers a plot to sell a railgun to terrorists.Railguns are also portrayed in the "Stargate" TV series and in many video games, including "Halo 2."

http://fredericksburg.com/News/FLS/2007/012007/01172007/251373

ZeroFill on
«13456717

Posts

  • RankenphileRankenphile Passersby were amazed by the unusually large amounts of blood.Registered User, Moderator mod
    edited January 2007
    yeah well I can do that with my fists, nancyboy

    Rankenphile on
    8406wWN.png
  • Kuribo's ShoeKuribo's Shoe Kuribo's Stocking North PoleRegistered User regular
    edited January 2007
    Wonderful, a new way to kill people. We needed one of those.

    Kuribo's Shoe on
    xmassig2.gif
  • Kane2073Kane2073 regular
    edited January 2007
    It's been done:

    eraser.jpg

    Kane2073 on
  • KongKong Registered User regular
    edited January 2007
    Each new frontier brings new ways and places to die. Why should the future be any different?

    Kong on
    Targets eliminated: zilch
  • BogeyBogey I'm back, baby! Santa Monica, CAModerator mod
    edited January 2007
    Sweet!

    Bogey on
    Fitocracy: Join us in the SE++ group!
    XBox LIVE: Bogestrom | Destiny
    PSN: Bogestrom
  • ShortyShorty touching the meat Intergalactic Cool CourtRegistered User regular
    edited January 2007
    Secret handshakes and cushy jobs abound.

    Shorty on
  • RankenphileRankenphile Passersby were amazed by the unusually large amounts of blood.Registered User, Moderator mod
    edited January 2007
    Kane2073 wrote:
    It's been done:

    eraser31.jpg

    welcome.gif

    Rankenphile on
    8406wWN.png
  • ZeroFillZeroFill Feeling much better. A nice, green leaf.Registered User regular
    edited January 2007
    Wonderful, a new way to kill people. We needed one of those.

    sometimes you gotta crack eggs to make omelettes



    what

    ZeroFill on
  • Kuribo's ShoeKuribo's Shoe Kuribo's Stocking North PoleRegistered User regular
    edited January 2007
    hey why don't we work on a universal healthcare system

    or maybe some low cost housing or even a way to grow more food without fucking up the environment so we could feed the people starving on the streets?

    nah let's make a railgun. goddammit.

    Kuribo's Shoe on
    xmassig2.gif
  • Kane2073Kane2073 regular
    edited January 2007
    Kane2073 wrote:
    It's been done:

    eraser31.jpg

    welcome.gif

    I did
    It was fine until I closed the tab
    I fixed it
    Calm down

    Kane2073 on
  • RankenphileRankenphile Passersby were amazed by the unusually large amounts of blood.Registered User, Moderator mod
    edited January 2007
    so Supersize Me is on TV right now, and I could not help but squeal with joy and dance in my chair when they started playing a Wesley Willis song.

    Rankenphile on
    8406wWN.png
  • ZeroFillZeroFill Feeling much better. A nice, green leaf.Registered User regular
    edited January 2007
    hey why don't we work on a universal healthcare system

    or maybe some low cost housing or even a way to grow more food without fucking up the environment so we could feed the people starving on the streets?

    nah let's make a railgun. goddammit.

    I'm not sure the navy has a low-income housing or agricultural department

    ZeroFill on
  • Kuribo's ShoeKuribo's Shoe Kuribo's Stocking North PoleRegistered User regular
    edited January 2007
    so Supersize Me is on TV right now, and I could not help but squeal with joy and dance in my chair when they started playing a Wesley Willis song.

    I always go eat McDonalds right after I see that movie

    it makes me hungry

    Kuribo's Shoe on
    xmassig2.gif
  • StoverStover Registered User regular
    edited January 2007
    Kong wrote:
    Each new frontier brings new ways and places to die. Why should the future be any different?

    The dead frontier doesn't.

    Stover on
    outoftheloop.jpg
  • Kuribo's ShoeKuribo's Shoe Kuribo's Stocking North PoleRegistered User regular
    edited January 2007
    ZeroFill wrote:
    hey why don't we work on a universal healthcare system

    or maybe some low cost housing or even a way to grow more food without fucking up the environment so we could feed the people starving on the streets?

    nah let's make a railgun. goddammit.

    I'm not sure the navy has a low-income housing or agricultural department

    you know, I'm just gonna let you keep that one, because I don't feel like being a hippie communist liberal tonight.

    Kuribo's Shoe on
    xmassig2.gif
  • ZeroFillZeroFill Feeling much better. A nice, green leaf.Registered User regular
    edited January 2007
    Kane2073 wrote:
    It's been done:

    eraser.jpg

    here Arnold is clearly whoring in a typical display of whoremanship

    he's using those 2 railguns to shoot people as they spawn

    ZeroFill on
  • ButtersButters A glass of some milks Registered User regular
    edited January 2007
    hey why don't we work on a universal healthcare system

    or maybe some low cost housing or even a way to grow more food without fucking up the environment so we could feed the people starving on the streets?

    nah let's make a railgun. goddammit.

    Heal the world, make it a better place... :whistle:

    Butters on
    PSN: idontworkhere582 | CFN: idontworkhere | Steam: lordbutters | Amazon Wishlist
  • RankenphileRankenphile Passersby were amazed by the unusually large amounts of blood.Registered User, Moderator mod
    edited January 2007
    so Supersize Me is on TV right now, and I could not help but squeal with joy and dance in my chair when they started playing a Wesley Willis song.

    I always go eat McDonalds right after I see that movie

    it makes me hungry

    I'm the same way with Truth commercials and smoking.

    But god damn it I love me some Wesley Willis songs.

    ROCK AND ROW MITDOWNOHS! ROCK AND ROW MITDOWNOHS!

    Rankenphile on
    8406wWN.png
  • BogeyBogey I'm back, baby! Santa Monica, CAModerator mod
    edited January 2007
    ZeroFill wrote:
    Kane2073 wrote:
    It's been done:

    eraser.jpg

    here Arnold is clearly whoring in a typical display of whoremanship

    he's using those 2 railguns to shoot people as they spawn
    They were sweet because they used wallhacks and aimbots.

    Bogey on
    Fitocracy: Join us in the SE++ group!
    XBox LIVE: Bogestrom | Destiny
    PSN: Bogestrom
  • KongKong Registered User regular
    edited January 2007
    Stover wrote:
    Kong wrote:
    Each new frontier brings new ways and places to die. Why should the future be any different?

    The dead frontier doesn't.

    fifty rape dollars to the first man to identify that quote

    Kong on
    Targets eliminated: zilch
  • Riggs BlitzkriegRiggs Blitzkrieg Registered User regular
    edited January 2007
    Have you guys every seen those above the influence commercials? God I hate those commercials

    Why isn't there any pictures?

    Riggs Blitzkrieg on
  • BahamutZEROBahamutZERO Registered User regular
    edited January 2007
    Railguns are so much better than universal health care. And the reason is, I'm the President of the great United States of America

    BahamutZERO on
    BahamutZERO.gif
  • NucshNucsh Registered User regular
    edited January 2007
    Holy shit

    This makes me hard

    Nucsh on
    [SIGPIC]GIANT ENEMY BEAR[/SIGPIC]
  • ButtersButters A glass of some milks Registered User regular
    edited January 2007
    Beating off: my anti-drug.

    Butters on
    PSN: idontworkhere582 | CFN: idontworkhere | Steam: lordbutters | Amazon Wishlist
  • Kane2073Kane2073 regular
    edited January 2007
    Have you guys every seen those above the influence commercials? God I hate those commercials

    Why isn't there any pictures?

    13_above_the_influence.gif

    Below the influence commercials would be significantly funnier

    Kane2073 on
  • RankenphileRankenphile Passersby were amazed by the unusually large amounts of blood.Registered User, Moderator mod
    edited January 2007
    i am the influence

    Rankenphile on
    8406wWN.png
  • scarlet st.scarlet st. Registered User regular
    edited January 2007
    250px-CS_SF_Striker_SAMAS01.jpg

    scarlet st. on
    japsig.jpg
  • ZeroFillZeroFill Feeling much better. A nice, green leaf.Registered User regular
    edited January 2007
    ZeroFill wrote:
    hey why don't we work on a universal healthcare system

    or maybe some low cost housing or even a way to grow more food without fucking up the environment so we could feed the people starving on the streets?

    nah let's make a railgun. goddammit.

    I'm not sure the navy has a low-income housing or agricultural department

    you know, I'm just gonna let you keep that one, because I don't feel like being a hippie communist liberal tonight.

    fair enough.

    sometimes you feel like aajopyeb5.jpg

    sometimes you dontmoundsau8.jpg

    ZeroFill on
  • ZeroFillZeroFill Feeling much better. A nice, green leaf.Registered User regular
    edited January 2007
    250px-CS_SF_Striker_SAMAS01.jpg
    that is so a glitter boy

    ZeroFill on
  • Kuribo's ShoeKuribo's Shoe Kuribo's Stocking North PoleRegistered User regular
    edited January 2007
    it's cool, I'm headed for Canada in a month and a half.

    I will live in the mountains, away from people, and obtain the peace I've always wished for.

    Kuribo's Shoe on
    xmassig2.gif
  • FavlaudFavlaud just straight up awful Registered User regular
    edited January 2007
    it's cool, I'm headed for Canada in a month and a half.

    I will live in the mountains, away from people, and obtain the peace I've always wished for.

    Give ani a hug for me pls

    Favlaud on
  • MarathonMarathon Registered User regular
    edited January 2007
    it's cool, I'm headed for Canada in a month and a half.

    I will live in the mountains, away from people, and obtain the peace I've always wished for.

    Cock and palms all red and overworked.

    Marathon on
  • Kuribo's ShoeKuribo's Shoe Kuribo's Stocking North PoleRegistered User regular
    edited January 2007
    Favlaud wrote:
    it's cool, I'm headed for Canada in a month and a half.

    I will live in the mountains, away from people, and obtain the peace I've always wished for.

    Give ani a hug for me pls

    will do

    Kuribo's Shoe on
    xmassig2.gif
  • KovakKovak did a lot of drugs married cher?Registered User regular
    edited January 2007
    ill rail your gun

    :winky:

    Kovak on
  • RaneadosRaneados police apologist you shouldn't have been there, obviouslyRegistered User regular
    edited January 2007
    kovak

    wtf is going on in your avatar and sig?

    Raneados on
  • Kane2073Kane2073 regular
    edited January 2007
    ill rail your gun

    :winky:

    In Soviet Russia, gun rails you.

    Kane2073 on
  • BahamutZEROBahamutZERO Registered User regular
    edited January 2007
    Raneados wrote:
    kovak

    wtf is going on in your avatar and sig?
    I bet you can guess what it is.

    BahamutZERO on
    BahamutZERO.gif
  • KovakKovak did a lot of drugs married cher?Registered User regular
    edited January 2007
    Raneados wrote:
    kovak

    wtf is going on in your avatar and sig?

    Well in the avatar it is i think the vulpix and pikachu version of underage catgirls

    in the second one i think it is a 10 foot pikachu railing a 3 foot misty with a 15 foot ash going

    Pikachu use squirt

    Kovak on
  • ham hammerham hammer Registered User regular
    edited January 2007
    Raneados wrote:
    kovak

    wtf is going on in your avatar and sig?

    do you really want to know

    EDIT: too late

    ham hammer on
    opprod84178lx5.jpg
    pokemon pearl friend code- 4897-2782-3202
  • KongKong Registered User regular
    edited January 2007
    Raneados wrote:
    kovak

    wtf is going on in your avatar and sig?

    Well in the avatar it is i think the vulpix and pikachu version of underage catgirls

    in the second one i think it is a 10 foot pikachu railing a 3 foot misty with a 15 foot ash going

    Pikachu use squirt

    Who comes up with this stuff?

    Kong on
    Targets eliminated: zilch
Sign In or Register to comment.