Russia's First Electromagnetic Railgun Tested Successfully
- 8 years ago
Do you know what the weapons of the future will look like? This is Russia's newest electromagnetic railgun prototype, and it might be attached to satellites and space ships to blast away dangerous debris and maybe even to protect the earth from asteroids and meteors.
Scientists successfully tested the prototype electromagnetic railgun in the Moscow Region on Wednesday. The device propels projectiles by a magnetic explosion, which is caused when two electromagnetic rails act against each other. In time, rail-accelerating systems may even totally replace gunpowder driven weapons.
Scientists claim that the railgun can hit targets 125 miles away no matter the terrain and whether the target is still or moving. Railguns also give control over the speed of the projectile and the damage it will cause to a target.
China, the USA, and Russia are global leaders in developing railgun tech. The US successfully tested its first railgun, created by BAE Systems, in December 2010.
Scientists successfully tested the prototype electromagnetic railgun in the Moscow Region on Wednesday. The device propels projectiles by a magnetic explosion, which is caused when two electromagnetic rails act against each other. In time, rail-accelerating systems may even totally replace gunpowder driven weapons.
Scientists claim that the railgun can hit targets 125 miles away no matter the terrain and whether the target is still or moving. Railguns also give control over the speed of the projectile and the damage it will cause to a target.
China, the USA, and Russia are global leaders in developing railgun tech. The US successfully tested its first railgun, created by BAE Systems, in December 2010.