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Railguns

Short answer: A railgun is an electromagnetic launcher. A very large electric current runs up one rail, through a conductive projectile or armature, and back down the other rail; the magnetic field this creates pushes the projectile along the rails at very high speed.

Conventional guns use chemical propellant instead. The US Navy researched railguns for years and tested prototypes, but paused its program in 2021. Japan's defense agency reported test-firing a railgun from a ship in 2023. Problems include rail wear and the huge power the guns need. The footage shows railgun tests and launches, with the presenter.

VideoWrite-up1 sources

In collections:The Arsenal

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What should you know about Railguns?

Quick facts. Each one stands alone and has a stable ID you can cite.

  1. A railgun is an electromagnetic launcher.

    DD-151-F01 · Write-up · Exhibit A (Electromagnetic)

  2. Current runs through rails and the projectile.

    DD-151-F02 · Write-up · Exhibit B (Two rails)

Video transcript: Railguns: A Railgun Fires Without Any Gunpowder

Railguns are electromagnetic projectile launchers that use magnetic fields to propel projectiles at extremely high velocities. DID YOU KNOW? Railguns have high potential for delivering projectiles over vast distances with incredible Unlike traditional firearms that use chemical reactions to propel bullets railguns use electromagnetic forces to accelerate a conductive projectile along a pair of metal rails. This interaction propels the projectile forward with tremendous NOW YOU KNOW!

Burned-in captions, read frame by frame (see transcript.md) · 24.9s Reel ·

Video coming soonRailguns · Instagram Reel
Railguns: A Railgun Fires Without Any Gunpowder Instagram Reel · · 24.9s

The write-up

A railgun fires without any gunpowder. Current through two rails pushes the projectile out.

  1. Exhibit A

    Electromagnetic

    A railgun is an electromagnetic launcher.

  2. Exhibit B

    Two rails

    Current runs through rails and the projectile.

  3. Exhibit C

    No propellant

    It uses magnetic force, not chemical propellant.

  4. Exhibit D

    US Navy pause

    The US Navy paused its railgun program in 2021.

  5. Exhibit E

    Japan test

    Japan reported a ship-based test in 2023.

Questions people ask about Railguns

What drives a railgun projectile?

Huge currents.

Source: Write-up · Exhibit A (Electromagnetic) · Wikipedia: Railgun

What does the current flow through?

A loop.

Source: Write-up · Exhibit B (Two rails) · Wikipedia: Railgun

What do conventional guns use?

Gunpowder.

Source: Write-up · Exhibit C (No propellant) · Wikipedia: Railgun

What did the US Navy do in 2021?

After years of research.

Source: Write-up · Exhibit D (US Navy pause) · Wikipedia: Railgun

Which country reported a ship-based test in 2023?

Its defense agency.

Source: Write-up · Exhibit E (Japan test) · Wikipedia: Railgun

Test Your Knowledge

All quizzes →

5 questions, all from this case file. Answers are revealed instantly.

  1. What drives a railgun projectile?

    1. Electromagnetic force
    2. Gunpowder
    3. Compressed air
    4. A spring
    Show the answer

    Answer: A. Electromagnetic force Huge currents. Source: Write-up · Exhibit A (Electromagnetic) · Wikipedia: Railgun

  2. What does the current flow through?

    1. Two rails and the projectile
    2. A rubber band
    3. Water
    4. A fuse
    Show the answer

    Answer: A. Two rails and the projectile A loop. Source: Write-up · Exhibit B (Two rails) · Wikipedia: Railgun

  3. What do conventional guns use?

    1. Chemical propellant
    2. Magnets
    3. Steam
    4. Lasers
    Show the answer

    Answer: A. Chemical propellant Gunpowder. Source: Write-up · Exhibit C (No propellant) · Wikipedia: Railgun

  4. What did the US Navy do in 2021?

    1. Paused its railgun program
    2. Deployed railguns on all ships
    3. Invented the railgun
    4. Banned magnets
    Show the answer

    Answer: A. Paused its railgun program After years of research. Source: Write-up · Exhibit D (US Navy pause) · Wikipedia: Railgun

  5. Which country reported a ship-based test in 2023?

    1. Japan
    2. Iceland
    3. Peru
    4. Kenya
    Show the answer

    Answer: A. Japan Its defense agency. Source: Write-up · Exhibit E (Japan test) · Wikipedia: Railgun

Cite this case file

Easterling, Marcus. "Railguns." The Detail Department (DetailEnjoyer), case file DD-151, last updated Dec 30, 2023. https://detailenjoyer.com/case/railguns/

Permalink: https://detailenjoyer.com/case/railguns/ · Last updated

Markdown version

Cite a single fact by its ID, for example DD-151-F01 → https://detailenjoyer.com/case/railguns/#DD-151-F01

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