Coming soon.....to a USN DD near you.

[phatzo]

Well, we have the GPS guided artillery wonder if they can do it on this?

I can't see why not, the projectiles trajectory should be very predictable.

[Bodhi]

First off, never going to replace aircraft and aircraft carriers. Aircraft have a longer range, loiter time over a target, faster delivery of orndnace when already over the target area, more versatility, etc.

I think it is arrogant and presumptuous to make that statement.

An (sub)orbital weapon can easily replace an aircraft and aircraft carrier.  When you start to consider the ongoing costs of developing and maintaining cv's and their systems as well as the costs of aircraft (development and service), and crew (development and retention) it makes sense to start looking at other alternatives.  Several orbital based systems could potentially offer a deliver anywhere weapon with pin point accuracy and present no risk to a delivery crew or support system.  Further, speed of delivery with multiple systems presenting delivery alleviates and improves the ability to deliver ordnance on target as opposed to the aircraft.

[Tac]

First off, never going to replace aircraft and aircraft carriers. Aircraft have a longer range, loiter time over a target, faster delivery of orndnace when already over the target area, more versatility, etc.

Also the plane has a pilot, nothing can ever match that element of a weapon. I mean for all the impressivness of our technology, its still the human genius for war that created them, and guides them.

I doubt there will be manned fighter planes in 20 years time. Drone technology is so much more convenient, cheaper and less loss of life. A pilot that loses his drone is a better pilot flying his next drone. Plus the drone needs no rest, can carry more fuel (since it doesnt need pilot controls/cockpit/systems etc), pilots can switch flying it groundside,etc. I don't doubt that with current tech we can already fly a B2 bomber by remote from the states to anywhere in the world and back.

[B-17]

Only two questions regarding this:

1) WTF does the Navy need a railgun for?!?!
2) 3.3 billion per ship?  

[curry1]

I'm just wondering if they're planning on adapting this for tank use. We already use kenetic energy penetrators, and we wouldn't need a 40lb penetrator if its flying that fast. I would imagine a 90-105mm projectile would do the job if its flying at 5,000mph. There would also be the benefit of removing all that high-explosives from the vehicle, as well as increased ammunition storage.

Tell me when you can fit a capacitor the size of a large room and a way to create enough power to charge the capacitor onto a tank.

[phatzo]

1) WTF does the Navy need a railgun for?!?!

to put holes in enemy shipping, huge amount of kinetic energy off a railgun that big.

[Bodhi]

Tell me when you can fit a capacitor the size of a large room and a way to create enough power to charge the capacitor onto a tank.

A gigantic extension cord!

[JunkyII]

MLRS > Rail gun

Army already has it beat



Oh and Mortars are better then Close combat aircraft on the modern battlefield....just sayin.

[titanic3]

Tell me when you can fit a capacitor the size of a large room and a way to create enough power to charge the capacitor onto a tank.

In 50 years, if you're still alive, I'll bet you I can find one. 

[DREDIOCK]

Before anyone starts thinking about installing them on tanks,aircraft and satellites


At best in the near future  we can only consider them for static artillery and ships due to one slight problem.

"The goal is 10 rounds per minute. That means having enough energy stored to fire it up to “pulsed power” that quickly, for multiple rounds.

The energy question is a big one, as experts have said the amount of electricity necessary to operate the railgun at 32 megajoules would require a ship that that can generate enough power, one that doesn’t yet exist. "


Hmm Border patrol? LOL

[titanic3]

About 50 years ago, they thought supersonic speeds were impossible.

They thought drones and fully automated planes were science fiction.

They didn't even know what lasers were capable of.

I have no doubts that within 50 years, people will find this thread on their iPad 30 and laugh.

[B-17]

to put holes in enemy shipping, huge amount of kinetic energy off a railgun that big.

Why would they need more than 1 or 2?

[AHTbolt]

when they figuer out cold fusion you will see small rail guns. Can you see Mr Fusion on the shelfs at WalMart.

[curry1]

About 50 years ago, they thought supersonic speeds were impossible.

They thought drones and fully automated planes were science fiction.

They didn't even know what lasers were capable of.

I have no doubts that within 50 years, people will find this thread on their iPad 30 and laugh.

We had drones 50 years ago look up the supersonic D-21 drone.  Launched off the back of a modified SR-71.

[Tank-Ace]

I think it is arrogant and presumptuous to make that statement.

An (sub)orbital weapon can easily replace an aircraft and aircraft carrier.  When you start to consider the ongoing costs of developing and maintaining cv's and their systems as well as the costs of aircraft (development and service), and crew (development and retention) it makes sense to start looking at other alternatives.  Several orbital based systems could potentially offer a deliver anywhere weapon with pin point accuracy and present no risk to a delivery crew or support system.  Further, speed of delivery with multiple systems presenting delivery alleviates and improves the ability to deliver ordnance on target as opposed to the aircraft.

I was refering to ship-mounted rail guns, not the rail gun itself.

Aircraft have a bit more than 3 times the range of the rail gun's predicted 200nmi, and their missles more than double that. It would be fine for operations relativly close to shore, but if we had to, for whatever reason, do another D-Day style invasion, the carrier will still be more effective in the long run than rail-gun armed ships.

Tell me when you can fit a capacitor the size of a large room and a way to create enough power to charge the capacitor onto a tank.

less than 50 years ago, computers were the size of entire rooms. Just saying.