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.