Today is a Technology Bonanza

The US Navy has just tested a new railgun. Here's what the Navy ultimately expects the weapon to do:

The big gun uses electromagnetic energy instead of explosive chemical propellants to fire a projectile farther and faster. 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.

Lots of boom. No reason to use high explosives. The best part of the article is the quote from Admiral Gary Roughead:

I never ever want to see a Sailor or Marine in a fair fight. I always
want them to have the advantage. We should never lose sight of always looking
for the next big thing, always looking to make our capability better,
more effective than what anyone else can put on the battlefield.

Amen. He seems to be channeling George S. Patton who said: The object of war is not to die for your country but to make the other bastard die for his.



Navy Tests Incredible Sci-Fi Weapon | LiveScience

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