Electromagnetic guns in Russia and the USA
Ammunition is represented by 15-gram plastic cylindrical projectiles with a flight speed of more than 3 km / s. They pierce an aluminum blank a few centimeters thick. The scientists plan to bring the initial velocity of the projectile to 4,5 km / s. Instead of gunpowder, the gun uses electricity, converting it into an electromagnetic force known as the Lorentz force. The projectile accelerates, passing between the copper "rails" through which the current is passed. As a result, it travels a much greater distance than a traditional artillery shell, and in doing so, causes massive damage. Thanks to four stabilizers at the rear of the hull, the projectile can hit moving targets such as ships, drones or rockets.
Studies show that an 10-kilogram projectile, flying at a speed of approximately 8700 km / h over a distance of 160 km, is able to pierce three concrete walls or six 12-millimeter steel sheets.
In the USA, a similar project is being implemented, in which the navy is interested. More than 500 million dollars have already been spent for these purposes. In the future, scientists hope to create a rail electromagnetic gun that would fire projectiles with a speed of 7,5 M (seven times the speed of sound, making 9100 km / h) at a distance of 160 km. They are supposed to be installed on the “Zumwalt” destroyers, which are capable of providing sufficient energy supply. The difficulty of development is to create a wear-resistant model capable of making thousands of shots. It is expected that the guns in the US will arrive no earlier than in 10 years. The start of sea trials using 20-kg shells, developing supersonic speed, is scheduled for 2017 - 2018 years.
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