Raytheon has delivered the first impulse power generator to support the program Railgun of the US Navy. A turret equipped with electromagnetic guns will be installed on the USNS Millinocket (photo below). It will be up to the class carrier Spearhead, by next summer, carry out fire tests, the first at sea, with the new weapon system capable of firing a bullet at six times the speed of sound.
The latest version of the pulse power generator, capable of delivering 32 megajoules of energy, will be integrated into the Millinocket. The generators will have to ensure the functioning of the entire electromagnetic asset which will allow the tungsten shells to cover great distances without the use of an explosive charge or a rocket engine.
The technology Railgun uses an electromagnetic force, known as the Lorentz force, to accelerate rapidly and launch a projectile between two conductor rails. This bullet is launched at such high speeds that it allows it to cover greater distances than many conventional weapon systems. The bullet retains enough kinetic energy that no explosive charge is required to pulverize the target.
Since 2005, the Navy has been developing the technology Railgun at Naval Surface Warfare Center by Dahlgren. The final operating system will be capable of launching guided projectiles at distances greater than 110 nautical miles (over 200 kilometers) against diversified threats.
(photo: Raytheon / US Navy)
