United States Navy Tests Magnetic Railgun

[Bosda_Di_Chi_of_Tricor]

No, it ain’t mounted on the Galactica.

http://www.livescience.com/technology/080201-electromagnetic-record.html

The railgun, as it is called, will ultimately fire a projectile more than 230 miles (370 kilometers) with a muzzle velocity seven times the speed of sound (Mach 7) and a velocity of Mach 5 at impact.

The railgun has been a featured weapon in many science fiction universes, such as the new “Battlestar Galactica” series. It has also achieved newfound popularity among the 20-something-and-under generation for its devastating ability to instantaneously shoot a “slug” through walls and through multiple enemies in video games such as the “Quake” series of first person shooters.

The Navy’s motivation? Simple destruction.

The railgun’s high-velocity projectile will destroy targets with sheer kinetic energy rather than with conventional explosives.

The link has video of the test.

[levdrakon]

Tuckerfan beat you to it.

Sounds like maybe a solution without a problem.

[Rico]

<mod>

See levadrakon’s link for more railgun fun.

Let’s close this one.

</mod>