Electromagnetic gun or rail gun as is also called, is inherently a ground breaking piece of technology that will be the cheapest and most effective way to intercept missiles or hit targets hundreds of kilometres away. It may even be used to hit targets outside of atmosphere at only a small fraction of the cost of current anti missile, missile systems.
But as it stands, there are a number of stumbling blocks and challenges in it’s way to bring development to proficient use.
1. It needs tremendous amounts of energy to propel the projectile.
2. The barrel and the whole mechanism undergoes huge amounts of stress during firing, and this causes quick erosion of parts and hinders quick successive firings.
3. Projectile mass and aerodynamic design is also a limiting factor. Larger mass means more energy. Better aerodynamic design means longer ranges. (See below BAE Systems solution)
4. Very high muzzle velocities that are achieved, brings with it difficulties and challenges in placing electronics for guidance in to the projectiles.
There are only a handful of nations that are trying to develop this technology. Turkey is one of them. This gives us a great advantage to be amongst the fore runners of this technology. As it matures we will be among the first elite that will be able to use it before any others.
But currently apart from TCG Anadolu there are no vessels we could position this gun, on any of our ships. Even then, our LHD, with it’s 55000HP engines may not develop enough power to run a railgun.
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Be it a ground breaking piece of technology and having such potential for further growth, however it was recently decided by the US to put the whole project to the back burner. And it was shelved for the time being with a view to get back to it when it becomes relevant again. Main reasons for this were: Power supply issues in current sea vessels. And the technology having come to a precipice whereby further innovation was not physically feasible- probably both financially and technologically. But one man’s loss can be another’s gain. We may still overcome some of the difficulties US has seen as not feasible, and/or adapt it to our needs to make it work.
It is good to know that Aselsan is still working on it. As their version is the only one that makes sense. (Sapan of Tubitak Sage was only a small test bed trial run system. Sahi system seems to be way behind and not really achieving much and in fact living off government grants)
