Technology

New Navy Weapon Can Hit a Target 100 Miles Away in Minutes

For years, the Navy’s new railgun was just an idea, a weapon like no other weapon ever used in warfare. But the Navy realized its dream Friday with a record-setting test in Dahlgren, Va.

Fox News explains the new technology:

Rather than relying on a explosion to fire a projectile, the technology uses an electomagnetic current to accelerate a non-explosive bullet at several times the speed of sound. The conductive projectile zips along a set of electrically charged parallel rails and out of the barrel at speeds up to Mach 7.

The result: a weapon that can hit a target 100 miles or more away within minutes.

According to Rear Admiral Nevin P. Carr, Jr., chief of Naval Research, the new weapon is a game changer.   The electromagnetic railgun relies on kinetic energy rather than traditional explosives to inflict damage.  At 11 a.m. Friday, the Navy proudly produced a 33-megajoule firing — more than three times the previous record set in 2008.

“It bursts radially, but it’s hard to quantify,” said Roger Ellis, electromagnetic railgun program manager with the Office of Naval Research. To convey a sense of just how much damage, Ellis told FoxNews.com that the big guns on the deck of a warship are measured by their muzzle energy in megajoules. A single megajoule is roughly equivalent to a 1-ton car traveling at 100 mph. Multiple that by 33 and you get a picture of what would happen when such a weapon hits a target.

Since 2005, the Navy has reported invested about $211 million in the weapon’s development — a weapon that dwarfs all conventional firepower.  According to Fox, the new railgun offers “2 to 3 times the velocity” of a convention big gun and can reach its designated target within just 6 minutes.  In addition, current U.S. Navy guns have a range of just 13 miles.  But the new railgun tested Friday has the ability to reach an enemy 100 miles away with pinpoint accuracy and may one day extend to a 200-mile range.

There are still a number of bugs to be worked out before the railgun becomes an operational staple on U.S. Navy ships, including managing the amazing heat the projectile produces in the gun’s muzzle.  But Naval sources say they expect to see functional railguns on the decks of Navy vessels by 2025.

Comments (178)

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  • Captain Courrageous
    Posted on December 10, 2010 at 8:32pm

    HERALDO_DE_LA_CONQUISTA_ROJA
    Posted on December 10, 2010 at 7:20pm
    “Yeah, more taxpayer money spent on killing people, less taxpayer money spent on helping people!”

    Yeah, only MORE than 12 TRILLION spent on social welfare since “The New Deal, The Great Society & The War on Poverty,” with AMAZING results, huh?

    How much more do you Communist cockroaches WANT?

    Help yourself, JERRY!

    Report Post »  
    • BobParker2003
      Posted on December 11, 2010 at 9:56am

      Talk about being all over the map, how does one respond to someone burning opinion candles at both ends? The truth is the people of earth will always be at war. The country with the best technology might, might be able to beat the people with the biggest army and navy and air force. If we had to go up against the Chinese alone right now we couldn’t. If the axis powers of China, Russia, North, Korea and Iran went against us all at once there would be so many deaths on our own soil it would make 911 look like a cake walk. Our only advantage is in technology.

      Report Post »  
  • scguitar
    Posted on December 10, 2010 at 8:24pm

    We should use that against North Korea when we get the chance

    Report Post »  
    • jmparrish
      Posted on December 15, 2010 at 4:26am

      You guys must be crazy to think that war with N. Korea is feasible…if they have one nuclear sub…and im sure china has likely given them one…that evades us…all of north america can be wiped out in 15 minutes…and who would we retaliate against?

      North Korea?…lol…give me a break that ridiculious little country isnt worth one of our cities…

      Correct course of action:
      give S. Korea some nuclear weapons and have them give N. Korea and its allies the ultimatum
      a. If South Korea is attacked and can not repulse the invasion the N. Korea will be annihilated
      b. All military allies of N. Korea will also be annihilated and that means China and Russia.
      c. Do the same with Japan

      Also, that same strategic principle i just outlined is basically what china is doing to us by proliferating nuclear technology around the world to our enemies….they know that someday our enemies in the Muslim world will take a shot at us which at the very least will cripple our econemy and they will be the last man standing because some backwater muslim nation will be retaliated against by U.S. and not the real culprit which is China via N. Korea.

      Report Post »  
  • ChiefGeorge
    Posted on December 10, 2010 at 8:18pm

    Go Navy

    Report Post » ChiefGeorge  
  • Paul_Kersey
    Posted on December 10, 2010 at 8:16pm

    So where exactly can I be and still hit a politician in Washington?

    Report Post » Open Mind  
    • libchem
      Posted on December 10, 2010 at 8:40pm

      Dude, I don’t know, prison? I get what you’re saying, but that kind of comment is about the only thing that give Eric Holder a willie!

      Report Post » libchem  
  • alcarfl
    Posted on December 10, 2010 at 8:15pm

    Any “new” technology they show us today, is at least two years old and has been upgraded to an even more spectacular weapon.

    Report Post »  
  • Aiser
    Posted on December 10, 2010 at 8:11pm

    This new tech is actually MORE important then what most people think. Some time around mid of this year. China invented a new battleship cruiser missile that out ranges anything we have. Its a missile designed specifically to sink Carrier ships, before they can launch their fighters. This rail gun is just the perfect counter for such a new sino weap. Rail gun fire power >>>> combustive firepower

    Report Post » Aiser  
  • ChrisBalsz
    Posted on December 10, 2010 at 7:58pm

    “To convey a sense of just how much damage, Ellis told FoxNews.com that the big guns on the deck of a warship are measured by their muzzle energy in megajoules. A single megajoule is roughly equivalent to a 1-ton car traveling at 100 mph. Multiple that by 33 and you get a picture of what would happen when such a weapon hits a target.”

    If they measure a 16-inch round in megajoules, gimme that figure, and then I’ll be able to compare an impact of 33 megajoules with something exactly similar, instead of imagining 33(Buick smashing into something).

    Report Post »  
  • beebacksoon
    Posted on December 10, 2010 at 7:47pm

    Gee, maybe the next time someone witnesses a missle shooting up from the ocean floor, we can prove it wasn’t just a mirage, bad lighting, or another country’s plane leaving the contrail.

    Report Post »  
  • scott2012
    Posted on December 10, 2010 at 7:44pm

    Speaking of battleships, couldn’t we take the USS Missouri out of mothballs and use it as a floating museum maybe with day or week long cruises. I’d pay to see it, learn about it and fire those guns. It just seems wrong to let her sit. She is a national treasure.

    Report Post »  
    • untameable-kate
      Posted on December 10, 2010 at 8:14pm

      That would be cool.

      Report Post » Untameable-kate  
    • BRAVEHEART
      Posted on December 10, 2010 at 9:21pm

      If memory serves me, I think the Missouri is anchored at Pearl Harbor as part of the National Memorial.

      Report Post »  
    • westy98530
      Posted on December 10, 2010 at 10:30pm

      The Missouri is parked next to what’s left of the Arizona, and currently is a museum.

      Report Post »  
    • NoobieKid
      Posted on December 11, 2010 at 2:40am

      Think about this: This technology might give enough incentive to bring back the battleship.

      Think about nine 16-inch railguns on an Iowa-class battleship. We would have to refit it with a nuclear reactor just to power the guns, but it would still be worth it. :D

      Report Post » NoobieKid  
  • heavyduty
    Posted on December 10, 2010 at 7:37pm

    If they can get it small enough, it would be a snipers dream. But right now a 100 miles away sounds good to me.

    Report Post »  
  • Funny Man
    Posted on December 10, 2010 at 7:36pm

    Not quite a stocking stuffer!

    Report Post »  
  • fan-of-glenn
    Posted on December 10, 2010 at 7:35pm

    I want the handgun version for concealed carry.
    Take that heraldo_de_la_conquista_roja and the rest of you commie pukes.

    Report Post »  
    • hemipuma
      Posted on December 10, 2010 at 8:40pm

      God love you!! I really,really want one too!!!

      Report Post » hemipuma  
  • MIlitary Nurse
    Posted on December 10, 2010 at 7:25pm

    Just like in Transformers 2

    Report Post » MIlitary Nurse  
  • MIlitary Nurse
    Posted on December 10, 2010 at 7:22pm

    Transformers 2! Anyone see it, this weapon was used on that movie.

    Report Post » MIlitary Nurse  
  • Rickfromillinois
    Posted on December 10, 2010 at 7:14pm

    When can I get a smaller model for deer hunting?

    Report Post » Rickfromillinois  
    • guyperram
      Posted on December 10, 2010 at 7:33pm

      There wouldn’t be anything left of the deer. Just ground meat everywhere!

      The problem is that by 2025 the Chinese will be able to drop stone from orbit i.e; kinetic energy weapons. The idiots have killed the space program.

      Report Post »  
    • what4
      Posted on December 10, 2010 at 7:47pm

      The new way to have MRE’s Killed, cleaned & cooked.. I like it

      Report Post »  
    • untameable-kate
      Posted on December 10, 2010 at 7:55pm

      mmmm deer burgers

      Report Post » Untameable-kate  
    • Longslide7
      Posted on December 10, 2010 at 8:44pm

      Your going to have to lick the bullit to get any food

      Report Post »  
  • publiuswarmac9999
    Posted on December 10, 2010 at 7:10pm

    I worked on the rail gun technology about 25 years ago. The kinetic energy kill mechanism is quite impressive.

    Report Post »  
    • tanker
      Posted on December 10, 2010 at 7:42pm

      German scientific accmnts od ww11- copy in lib @ Iowa state

      Report Post » tankerBigRed1  
    • Deutscher
      Posted on December 10, 2010 at 9:12pm

      Tanker. Yes Germany was working on rockets , nuclear weapons, stealth airplanes, and kinetic energy weapons in the 40s. I’m glad the US is the country to perfect them.

      Report Post »  
  • New-American-Saviors
    Posted on December 10, 2010 at 7:10pm

    And I’m sure Wikileaks already has the Plans !

    Report Post »  
  • NeoFan
    Posted on December 10, 2010 at 7:08pm

    When seconds count the Navy will be there in minutes.

    Report Post »  
    • bbquizzle
      Posted on December 10, 2010 at 9:12pm

      Well, wouldn’t you say thats pretty damned fast for a government entity?

      Report Post » bbquizzle  
  • abc
    Posted on December 10, 2010 at 7:06pm

    Let’s hope we can keep it out of terrorist hands.

    Report Post »  
    • heavyduty
      Posted on December 10, 2010 at 7:45pm

      Not a chance with liberals in office. This means they have something to bargain with.

      Report Post »  
  • chazman
    Posted on December 10, 2010 at 7:03pm

    By 2025 we should be able to hit anything anywhere on the face of the earth with this weapon. No need for a Navy. Let the Marines have it! WHAP!!!!!

    Report Post »  
    • macpappy
      Posted on December 10, 2010 at 9:52pm

      The Marines are of the Navy Department, no Navy no Marines.
      The new rail gun is amazing, and will breed much in high tech inventions.

      Report Post » macpappy  
    • The Third Archon
      Posted on December 11, 2010 at 11:26pm

      We already can hit anything on the Earth–its called a missile. And since we can‘t shoot THROUGH the Earth with this gun we’ll probably never be able to hit everywhere with one–at a certain point (and many of our sick ass naval guns have hit this point) the Earth’s curvature becomes a limiting factor.

      Report Post » The Third Archon  
  • 79USMC83
    Posted on December 10, 2010 at 7:01pm

    OOH RAH!!!!! Now this is some GOOD news finally and makes me want to pay my tax’s!!

    Report Post »  
    • NeoFan
      Posted on December 10, 2010 at 7:09pm

      Oh your going to pay! Just wait till you get the bill.

      Report Post »  
    • untameable-kate
      Posted on December 10, 2010 at 7:18pm

      This is a way better use of taxpayer dollars than spending millions to find out how many Doritos a monkey eats when he is stoned or building turtle tunnels.

      Report Post » Untameable-kate  
    • heraldo_de_la_conquista_roja
      Posted on December 10, 2010 at 7:20pm

      Yeah, more taxpayer money spent on killing people, less taxpayer money spent on helping people!

      Report Post » better red than dead  
    • booger71
      Posted on December 10, 2010 at 7:36pm

      heraldo_de_la_conquista_roja
      Posted on December 10, 2010 at 7:20pm

      Yeah, more taxpayer money spent on killing people, less taxpayer money spent on helping people!
      Report Post » heraldo_de_la_conquista_roja

      At least the money was spent on one of the few things the Constitution actually allows

      Report Post » booger71  
    • what4
      Posted on December 10, 2010 at 7:45pm

      heraldo,
      some people really really need to be killed…Know what I meen?

      Report Post »  
    • NoobieKid
      Posted on December 10, 2010 at 7:47pm

      @heraldo_de_la_conquista_roja

      Yeah, more taxpayer money spent on killing people who are trying to kill us! YAY!!!

      Think about it, at least we’re greening up our weapons. Instead of using that horrible pollutant known as gunpowder, we can happily kill our enemies with renewable energy. Doesn’t that make you feel all warm and fuzzy inside? It does for me.

      Report Post » NoobieKid  
    • RepubliCorp
      Posted on December 10, 2010 at 8:55pm

      HERALDO_DE_LA_CONQUISTA_ROJA It does help people…….. It stops stupid thoughts

      Report Post » RepubliCorp  
    • The Third Archon
      Posted on December 11, 2010 at 3:50am

      @HERALDO_DE_LA_CONQUISTA_ROJA

      You always get so many responses, I’m jealous, lol.

      (BTW, isn’t this SICK AS @#$! or what?! I just finished NV with my EW Char, and stuff like this gives me hope that one day I can get my hands on a Gauss Rifle too! [~720 DPS!!!!!!!!!!!!])

      Report Post » The Third Archon  
    • The Third Archon
      Posted on December 11, 2010 at 4:55am

      BTW, apparently, and I missed THE REVOLUTION IS ON!

      Go tell Hector! It’s time to shed our chains (Glenn said so)–time for the Revolution comrade! Glory to the human race eternal!

      Report Post » The Third Archon  
    • ozz
      Posted on December 12, 2010 at 12:13am

      Please do third. We can play socialist and red necks again. You think your going to attain a different result this time do ya ?

      Report Post » ozz  
  • pajamash
    Posted on December 10, 2010 at 7:01pm

    Fascinating captain!

    Report Post »  
  • NoName22
    Posted on December 10, 2010 at 6:57pm

    Wonderful……….New weapons, the pinnacle of mankind’s ability.

    Report Post »  
    • V-Forge
      Posted on December 10, 2010 at 7:52pm

      Yes. a new, better gun. Liberals don’t understand the need for guns till they are lining up their enemies next to a ditch. Weapons end wars and maintain peace. Ask japan. In the hands of liberals they are used to enslave and eliminate. In the hands of moral and just men they help put man on the moon and allowed us to explore the universe. Welcome to the battle of good and evil. It’s not a little sissy slap fight where the guy with a bigger thesaurus is the winner.

      Report Post » V-Forge  
    • whitaker
      Posted on December 10, 2010 at 8:21pm

      You do realize that because of weapon tech we have alot of other non weapon tech. Nuke bomb gave us nuke reactors and nuke medicine. Throughout history weapon inventions have been the starting of whole lines of tech. Think of a massive rail gun fireing a supply box into space to an orbiting station.

      Report Post » whitaker  
    • NoName22
      Posted on December 10, 2010 at 9:59pm

      @Whitaker

      Wonderfully posted, I stand corrected.

      Report Post »  
    • RealityCheck
      Posted on December 11, 2010 at 12:27am

      Or vehicle? I mean couldn’t that type of magnetic tech be used to produce vehicles? Engines run off tiny explosions right, so how about some magnetic pistons with cylinder walls which can change polarity to attract and repel ? Oh right, everyone is having too much fun borrowing and spending the American workers dollar and fighting for oil.

      Report Post »  
    • DaytonConserve
      Posted on December 11, 2010 at 3:20am

      @Realitycheck, It’s called an electric motor. I believe we have had those for years.

      Report Post »  
    • The Third Archon
      Posted on December 11, 2010 at 4:07am

      Unfortunately, while shooting a cargo container into space with a railgun is practical, a shuttle (at least one that wants to keep its passengers alive) probably isn’t. Just because the shuttle is structurally capable of accelerating to many meters per second over a short space of time doesn’t mean us fleshy beings are. The NASA shuttle launch is already tremendously taxing on astronauts, who must train and be in peak physical condition–you think turbulence on an airplane is bad? Nevertheless, I’m all for trying out these kinds of innovations; the trick would be to use magnetism of a weaker force to just reach slightly over gravitational equilibrium to gently ease the object out of Earth’s atmosphere. The mathematical equations to determine the ratios of electrical energy input required to overcome an exponentially decreasing gravitational force wouldn’t be that hard to come up with or bind outputs to through a computer, the tough part would be getting enough activation energy to overcome gravity on the ground, while at the same time not harming the ship’s systems with aforementioned MASSIVE charge.

      Report Post » The Third Archon  
    • jmparrish
      Posted on December 15, 2010 at 4:18am

      The third…

      how about a space elevator…like nasa has already had a competition to find out…anchor it to the space station and send up a bunch of small pods…assemble in space…i think simple is better personally.

      Report Post »  
  • Rev. WC
    Posted on December 10, 2010 at 6:56pm

    The Navy won’t even be around in 2025.

    Report Post » Rev. WC  
    • broker0101
      Posted on December 10, 2010 at 7:07pm

      Moron.

      Report Post » broker0101  
    • Rev. WC
      Posted on December 10, 2010 at 7:26pm

      Who’s going to fund it?

      Report Post » Rev. WC  
    • chuchu12
      Posted on December 10, 2010 at 9:15pm

      15 years to work out some bugs?

      Report Post »  
    • Blacktooth
      Posted on December 10, 2010 at 11:10pm

      Why would the Navy reveal that this technology exists?

      Perhaps because it may be already old tech, and other nations like China/Russia have it now. Do nations reveal their secrets, unless it doesn’t matter anymore. Just a thought.

      BUAA

      Report Post » Blacktooth  
    • KICKILLEGALSOUT
      Posted on December 10, 2010 at 11:47pm

      I believe that the progressives in Government intentionally release this information to help give our enemies information to target. After all, they want to overwhelm our system and bring it down so they can take control. What better way to overwhelm us than to tell our enemies that we have new secret technology that they would want to steal.

      If the military was smart, they would start releasing false information to the news about technology that doesn’t exist, not only so that nations don’t know what we are really capable of, but that they would spend time trying to target programs that don’t exist and waste their resources.

      Report Post » KICKILLEGALSOUT  
  • LSX
    Posted on December 10, 2010 at 6:53pm

    Awesome!

    Report Post » LSX  
    • TXPilot
      Posted on December 10, 2010 at 7:05pm

      I hope the Chinese haven’t already stolen the plans for this “game changing” weapon…..I was sad several years ago, when the last of the battleships were retired, but it looks like there is to be a second high-tech incarnation in the making…..way to go!

      Report Post » TXPilot  
    • Sledgehammer
      Posted on December 10, 2010 at 7:05pm

      I want one, and just in time for Christmas!

      Report Post » Sledgehammer  
    • Man Up America
      Posted on December 10, 2010 at 7:09pm

      Sure there isn’t already one or something better up our sleeve. Why are we advertising anyway?

      Man Up America  
    • heyjim55
      Posted on December 10, 2010 at 7:13pm

      Now lets hope that the dear leader doesn’t sell it to China like Clinton did with advanced missile tecnology.

      Report Post »  
    • Creestof
      Posted on December 10, 2010 at 7:14pm

      Hey great! I wonder which foriegn country that hates us we will sell it to first?

      Report Post »  
    • what4
      Posted on December 10, 2010 at 7:42pm

      When will the hit the shelves at WalMart??

      Report Post »  
    • Sheepdog911
      Posted on December 10, 2010 at 7:47pm

      Now I won’t have to wait for the zombies to come over the hill.

      Sheepdog911  
    • Nightstalker
      Posted on December 10, 2010 at 8:08pm

      I’m afraid by the time they field this it will be out dated!
      I think the EU will make the next great leap in weapons technology.
      Compliments of the large hadron collider at CERN!
      Most likely beam or particle weapon, but could also be anti matter bomb!
      That much money from that many countries, for a big science project?
      Right……….
      What’s the payoff, expanding our knowledge of the origins of the universe.
      Yea, ok…..
      and Oppenheimer was working on a little science project, exploring the origins of matter!

      If I’m not mistaken, antimatter/matter interaction leaves no residual radiation.
      Great if you plan on moving in latter!

      Report Post » Nightstalker  
    • Joseph
      Posted on December 10, 2010 at 8:17pm

      its probably gonna say on the side,” parts made in china ,assembled in the USA”

      Report Post » Joseph  
    • Lars Skipole
      Posted on December 10, 2010 at 8:29pm

      @TXPILOT: You don’t have to worry about the Chinese stealing the plans… Obozo will just give it to them, or the dem congress will shut the project down to cover all of their union paybacks.

      Report Post »  
    • Aither
      Posted on December 10, 2010 at 8:33pm

      Now all they need is a Metal Gear Rex to equip this on. :P

      But seriously, this is some amazing piece of hardware. Usually railguns are found in things of science fiction. To go 100 miles at that is gonna change warfare altogether. Some snipers need to be retrained with exceptionally good skills to hit the mark in six minutes. (Joking, I know this is done on computer)

      Report Post » Huguenot Descendant  
    • ME
      Posted on December 10, 2010 at 9:20pm

      yes very cool but EMP will render it useless that is the real game changer and every nuclear country already has it. High altitude blast and all that electronic crap is useless, that is the real reason the star wars defense was so important, but on the Obama scrap pile now so we can focus on raping people at the airport and important stuff like that.

      Report Post » ME  
    • akim
      Posted on December 10, 2010 at 9:20pm

      OBAMA WILL DELIVER THE WORKING GUN TO THE RUSSIANS, CHINESE, AND NORTH KOREANS.

      There is no way in hell that the US Military is going to be allowed to deploy a superior weapon. This is not 1945.

      Report Post »  
    • Sinista Mace
      Posted on December 10, 2010 at 11:06pm

      There’s nothing stopping the Chinese from developing this weapon, I have a miniature version myself.

      It’s just a glorified coilgun.

      Report Post » V-MAN MACE  
    • NeedABetterName
      Posted on December 10, 2010 at 11:24pm

      EMP attack will make weapon useless.

      Report Post » NeedABetterName  
    • KICKILLEGALSOUT
      Posted on December 10, 2010 at 11:42pm

      You are exactly right, what most people don’t know is that the Chinese already have planned and mapped out critical sectors to conduct Espionage against US and other countries. If the Chinese don’t already have these designs through their computer hacking they may from insiders in the military or through contractors or colleges that work a lot with the military to develop these things. You would be surprised at the number of foreign nationals allowed to work in these companies and have access to this information and also in our top colleges, some are even professors. This is the problem with allowing foreign nationals into our schools, corporations etc. They have no reason to have any loyalty to the US and everything to help their “motherland”

      Report Post » KICKILLEGALSOUT  
    • BlueStrat
      Posted on December 11, 2010 at 12:17am

      Electronics guy here. I’ve done a good bit of work for defense contractors in my time, including some weapons systems electronics.

      The electrical systems comprising the railgun itself and it’s C&C/targeting systems can, and I can just about guarantee are, shielded against EMP effects. Military electrical/electronic systems considered critical are routinely designed with EMP effects in mind, as these effects were noted decades ago. Techniques and methods for shielding against EMP are well known.

      EMP is one of the reasons why many military electronics systems based on vacuum-tube technology from the 1940s/1950s remained in place for years after semiconductor equivalents were available.

      On a side note I’m hoping that, now that a functional railgun is nearly at a deployable stage of development, it won’t be too much longer until such railguns along with other high-tech & conventional weapons are combined into mobile weapons systems like these:

      http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QxfKZZ4RNng

      Report Post »  
    • Neuhouser
      Posted on December 11, 2010 at 12:44am

      @NeedABetterName
      well the railgun itself prduces an emp when it fires, it’s basically a maglev train on steriods.

      Report Post » Neuhouser  
    • Sinista Mace
      Posted on December 11, 2010 at 12:45am

      With all due respect Bluestraat, all the sheilding in the world won’t protect this weapon from a shot from the Scalar Interferometer.

      Nukes, Railguns and Ion Cannons have been obsolete since the development of Scalar Weaponry, for decades.

      The Scalar Interferometer is the doomsday weapon.

      Report Post » V-MAN MACE  
    • jds7171
      Posted on December 11, 2010 at 1:28am

      That is nothing. The chinese has a missle that can sink a whole carrier 900 miles away. Once again the U.S. is in the rear.

      Report Post »  
    • The Third Archon
      Posted on December 11, 2010 at 3:46am

      @Nightstalker–Matter/antimatter reactions release a tremendous amount of gamma radiation (although it is comparatively short-lived and dissipates once the collision has annihilated all matter-antimatter pairings). However, anything organic in the area that wasn’t destroyed by the blast would be cooked by the gamma rays.

      Also, the idea that the EU could make such a fantastic leap in weapons technology in such a short time is ridiculous (I don’t think you appreciate just how difficult it is to create and contain antimatter in any mass sufficient for a bomb for any length of time), almost as ridiculous as the implicit suggestion that they would have a geopolitical interest in using it against us.

      Also, this railgun is AWESOME!

      Report Post » The Third Archon  
    • senderman
      Posted on December 11, 2010 at 5:49am

      The person before me took the words right out of my mouth…
      How long before the Chinese, or Russian’s for that matter, get this technology?
      Our country is world famous for our tight security, you know!! …NOT!
      I‘m happy we’re coming up with innovations, but sad that we so loose with our security.

      Report Post » senderman  
    • Sinista Mace
      Posted on December 11, 2010 at 10:42am

      Ballistic weapons have been obsolete for decades.

      This is the era of “directed energy weapons.”

      Report Post » V-MAN MACE  
    • kathynwolf
      Posted on December 11, 2010 at 9:44pm

      If they could work on the landing, I would never have to worry about rush hour traffic again!

      Report Post » kathynwolf  
    • ozz
      Posted on December 11, 2010 at 10:58pm

      Good to see they finally made the rail gun public. They have had it for a VERY long time. It’s now public because they are going to add them to our public arsenal now. Hope they mass produce these suckers now for our navy. They will seriously compensate for China’s ability to field soldiers at over a hundred to one ratio against the US.

      Report Post » ozz  
    • jmparrish
      Posted on December 15, 2010 at 3:53am

      U can bet in 15 years the US government will be so broke we will be lucky to have a military with 1/2 the budget it has now…do any of you expect to see a blue water navy with brand new ‘battle ships’ equipped with railguns?…regardless…

      If we dont start taxing Chinese (50% tarriffs?) made merchandise thus making it more cost effective for buisnesses (42,000 i believe have left since year 1998) to return home…then we wont have a modern country, that can defend itself against a conventional threat, left.

      Because, all our GDP will be going to pay off that debt…u all remember the money we borrowed from China, Saudi Arabia, ect. to pay for two of the longest wars in the history of our nation…and the bailouts, healthcare nonsense, ect. ect.

      In essence learn how to farm your own food and forget about future glory because it will be China calling the shots in the world not U.S. we have been betrayed by our varous Congresses.

      Report Post »  
    • jmparrish
      Posted on December 15, 2010 at 4:08am

      Have we ever developed a countermeasure for the supersonic cavitation torpedo the russians developed years ago?…I doubt it…if their submarines have torpedoes that creat a cavitation (bubble) and literally fly underwater…what the hell good is a railgun going to be against a fleet underwater?

      The commies dont have blue water navies…we need a leap forward in anti-sub warfare not another surface to surface weapon…

      I wish we did not scrap the anti-ICBM (a chemical based lazer on a 747 platform i believe it was) lazer project…we need to revamp that one because eventhough it wasnt strong enough to hit ICBMs at a distance necessary, it was still good enough for about everything else. Ofcourse though Obama scrapped it.

      We should consider buying or building the largest plane possible and putting the largest lazer possible on that sucker and that would be a noteworthy weapon with a range of hundreds of miles and rather then seconds to reach target it would be at the speed of light.

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