“The electromagnetic gun technology will be ready for production by 2017 and now is the right time for defense industry to capitalize on new technology by bringing it to the market” – Electromagnetic Railgun Market Forecast 2017-2022.
“In FY 2015, the investment in missile defense S&T dropped from roughly $350M in FY 2014 to $176M in FY 2015. Yet, missile defense remains a priority. The reduction in missile defense is more than offset the Navy and by the Office of the Secretary of Defense efforts in electromagnetic rail gun technology; a nearly $200M investment in FY 2015. This push in rail gun is being made to determine if the technology is mature enough to field an inexpensive, kinetic kill system to intercept theater ballistic missiles in terminal and mid-course. The current investment supports demonstration of an advanced rail gun against a missile surrogate in 2015.” – Alan R. Shaffer, Principal Deputy, Assistant Secretary of Defense for Defense Research & Engineering.
“The electromagnetic railgun represents an incredible new offensive capability for the U.S. Navy,” said Rear Adm. Bryant Fuller, the Navy’s chief engineer. “This capability will allow us to effectively counter a wide-range of threats at a relatively low cost, while keeping our ships and sailors safer by removing the need to carry as many high-explosive weapons.”
An artist rendering shows the Office of Naval Research-funded electromagnetic railgun installed aboard the joint high-speed vessel USNS Millinocket (JHSV 3). The railgun is a long-range weapon that launches projectiles using electricity instead of chemical propellants and is currently undergoing testing at Naval Sea Systems Command, Dahlgren Division. (U.S. Navy photo illustration)
The Electromagnetic (EM) Railgun industry prototype launchers is being evaluated at the Naval Surface Warfare Center, Dahlgren Division. Both General Atomics and BAE Systems have designed next generation prototype EM Railguns capable of increased firing rates. (U.S. Navy photo by John F. Williams/Released)
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