Naval Historywith Dr. Alex

Q&A · 43:24-44:09

Railguns are not limited to inert solid shot

Solid projectiles dominated test programs, but electromagnetic launch does not inherently exclude more complex or guided payloads if their electronics are protected.

Electromagnetic WeaponsGauss GunsGuided ProjectilesNaval TechnologyRailguns
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Question

Can railguns launch only solid, unguided projectiles?

Short answer

No. Solid shot was convenient for testing, while more complex rounds require electromagnetic shielding for their onboard systems.

Notes

Railgun tests used solid shot to establish performance, but electromagnetic launch does not limit ammunition to inert slugs. Smart rounds require shielding against the electromagnetic forces involved in launch. Gauss guns face a related problem. The shielding is an engineering difficulty to work through when developing more complex projectiles.