Tech Talk

October 2006

Navy launches high speed gun

Edited by Robert H. Williams

The Office of Naval Research awarded a $9.6-million, 30-month contract to General Atomics, in San Diego, Calif., to design an electromagnetic launcher for the Navy’s rail gun program. The company leads a team that also includes The Boeing Company, L-3 Communications Pulse Sciences, Sparta Composites and Jackson Engineering.

The electromagnetic rail gun launcher is intended for naval surface fire support for various Marine missions up to 300 miles inland. It will launch guided projectiles at speeds up to Mach 7.0, says General Atomics.

The Navy views rail guns as a next step towards the elimination of propellants and explosives.