23lb bullet @ 5,500 fps

Bushmaster · Posted: Sat Dec 11, 2010 10:09 pm Post subject: Re: 23lb bullet @ 5,500 fps

Aah...I think the "boss" was talking about "electromagnetic" launchers of some sort. Confused

English Mike · Posted: Sun Dec 12, 2010 10:29 am Post subject: Re: 23lb bullet @ 5,500 fps

Current tank guns such as the Rheinmetall L55 using APFSDS rounds are close to the weight (20lbs) & have a higher velocity (5,700fps) than the rail gun.
"Slightly" more compact too - the technology has a long way to go before it is viable.

slimjim · Posted: Sun Dec 12, 2010 9:49 pm Post subject: Re: 23lb bullet @ 5,500 fps

Yotehntr wrote:

What was the topic again?

The record set by the military's new electro magnetic gun.

Interesting twist or lack there of. Didn't seem to have rifling.

Bushmaster · Posted: Mon Dec 13, 2010 8:26 am Post subject: Re: 23lb bullet @ 5,500 fps

If memory serves. I don't believe it even touches the barrel. It's suspended in a magnetic field. That Right Dallan?

Ominivision1 · Posted: Tue Dec 14, 2010 2:20 am Post subject: Re: 23lb bullet @ 5,500 fps

Here's another article with lots of pictures and details.

Navy Rail Gun

slimjim · Posted: Tue Dec 14, 2010 5:13 am Post subject: Re: 23lb bullet @ 5,500 fps

Thanks OV1!

"The shell caused a small sonic boom before dropping harmlessly back to earth." Yea right - the engineering to stop this projectile must be pretty impressive, also.

"The main obstacle the navy is seeking to overcome in its research – that has cost $211million over the last five years – is to build up sufficient charge to allow the gun to keep firing at supersonic speeds. In Friday’s tests, it took about five minutes for the gun to power up before launching a bullet"

slimjim · Posted: Tue Dec 14, 2010 5:18 am Post subject: Re: 23lb bullet @ 5,500 fps

Bushmaster wrote:

If memory serves. I don't believe it even touches the barrel. It's suspended in a magnetic field.

The article OV1 posted shows it suspened in slots running down the side of the barrel. Maybe your right, Bushy, and its magnetically suspended in those slots. Otherwise, the friction would be something else!