Q&A · 3:12:01-3:15:30

Could a chemical gun and railgun share one barrel?

An Ace Combat weapon leads to a practical discussion of barrel wear, heat and structural loads in hybrid guns.

Question

Could the hybrid chemical and electromagnetic gun shown in Ace Combat work?

Short answer

A hybrid gun is accepted in principle, but rail wear, chemical heat and cooling remain obstacles. Whether a ground installation removes enough constraints is disputed.

Notes

A chemical and electromagnetic hybrid is considered possible in principle, but the Ace Combat depictions draw disagreement. Ground-based weapons could have more support and cooling than aircraft or ship installations. The objection is that even much smaller railguns suffer wear in the conductive material and barrel lining. Chemical heat and pressure would add to that load. Future metallurgy is left open, while present materials are judged inadequate for the giant weapons described.