Monday, December 13, 2010

Railguns and Budgets

The latest weapon to move from science fiction to fact is the railgun, which launches projectiles using electromagnetic pulses. The US Navy's new version has fired a steel shell at 5,500 feet per second (8,000 mph), which would send it 110 miles; apparently it set the world record for muzzle energy in a cannon. Of course, the gun is the size of a bus, but I suppose ships can carry big guns.

And this is a great use of taxpayers' money because our warships are constantly engaging in long-range artillery duels with the warships of our enemies.

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