Future Weapon and More: What Russia’s Railgun Can Really Do

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A team of Russian scientists successfully tested the country’s first railgun, which relies on electromagnetic forces and not explosives or propellant. According to experts at a branch of the Institute of High Temperatures in Shatura, just outside Moscow, the railgun can fire shells at an incredibly fast speed of 3 kilometres per second, which is enough to cut through any type of armour existing today. During the latest test, a 15-gramme plastic cylinder fired by the railgun went through an aluminium plate several centimetres thick. Electromagnetic conductors instead of gunpowder or explosives power Railguns, allowing them to inflict major damage. While many countries are already betting on the railgun as a future weapon, Russia is also considering other more peaceful applications, such as ferrying cargoes to the International Space Station. During a recent test in Shatura, the railgun fired a projectile at the speed of 3 kilometres per second, which is about half of what booster rockets need to overcome gravity to enter Earth orbit. Shatura Institute Director Aleksei Shurpov told Zvezda TV:

The railgun is a big boost to our study of high energy physics as we’re now ready to build apparatuses working at speeds exceeding 4.5 kilometres per second.

Foreign Designs

Since the latter half of the 20th century, many developed countries have worked on a new type of multi-mission electromagnetic railgun weapon capable of detecting, tracking, and engaging ballistic missiles and air and watercraft threats. The US Navy is pushing ahead with the development of its own super-powerful electromagnetic railgun to fire rounds at speeds up to Mach 7.5, which at 9,100 kilometres per hour, is more than seven times the speed of sound, with a range of about 400 kilometres. The unveiling of the prototype of the RailGun was in 2015, and in 2016, the weapon had public presentation complete with its ordnance. However, the problem with the US design is that it requires a tremendous amount of power to operate… over 25 megawatts per one shot. Another problem is that the longer the distance to the target the weaker the impact of the shot as air resistance slows the projectile down as it travels to its target.

Scientific Impact

Even though the railgun tests conducted by the Russian Institute of High Temperatures haven’t produced any military breakthroughs yet, experts already recognise them as some of this country’s major scientific achievements of the past year. Besides this, Russian scientists gave names to two new chemical elements, helped discover gravitational waves foretold by Albert Einstein, ensured consistent heating of plasma to a whopping 10 million degrees Celsius, and helped develop a vaccine to treat serious neurodegenerative conditions.

9 January 2017

Sputnik International

https://sputniknews.com/russia/201701091049399104-russia-railgun-tests/

Editor:

Note the objective restrained tone in the article, quite unlike the arrogant boasting one finds from Anglo sources. Quite likely, the Russian and American efforts are at the same level, but the Russians are more cautious, while the Americans (as usual) are more forward, condescending, and conceited. You’d go wrong if you took both at face value… you’d rate the Russians at less than what they’re capable of and you’d rate the Americans at more than what any human could achieve realistically. Remember… the Anglo-American “culture” values winning over everything else… including morality. You’d do well never to turn your back on an Anglo… they’re stiff-necked, they refuse to listen to reason (or to others), and they’re nasty when vexed. Keep it focused and keep it together…

BMD

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