Who invented the railgun?
Louis Octave Fauchon-Villeplee
The first device that could be called a railgun was invented in 1918 by Louis Octave Fauchon-Villeplee. His “Electric Apparatus for Propelling Projectiles” resembled a linear motor[3], which have applications such as maglev trains.
What is the problem with rail guns?
This creates a repulsive force, proportional to the current, that attempts to push the rails apart. Because the currents in a rail gun are so large, the repulsion between the two rails is significant. Wear and tear on rail guns is a serious problem. Many break after a few uses, and sometimes they can only be used once.
Does a railgun exist?
They do not currently exist in a practical, usable form. A helical railgun was built at MIT in 1980 and was powered by several banks of, for the time, large capacitors (approximately 4 farads).
How much armor can a railgun penetrate?
Using electromagnetic energy, the gun can fire a shell weighing 10kg at up to 5,400mph over 100 miles – with such force and accuracy it penetrates three concrete walls or six half-inch thick steel plates.
Why do Railguns destroy themselves?
This is because the electric current actually flows through the projectile from one rail to the other rail[1]. This produces huge amounts of wear on the barrel, making it extremely difficult to maintain the barrel.
How far do railguns shoot?
110 nautical miles
Railguns use magnetic fields created by high electrical currents to accelerate a projectile to Mach 6, or 5,400 miles an hour. The velocity is sufficient to give the EMRG an effective range of 110 nautical miles, or 126 miles on land.
Can you buy a railgun in real life?
That’s because this railgun, the GR-1 Anvil, is something you can hold and fire just like a rifle. According to the Daily Mail, the weapon is slated to go on sale in the US for a whopping $3,375 retail price. ArcFlash Labs, an LA-based company, is already accepting pre-orders for the gun. 22 caliber rifle.