The Rail gun has one very big advantage ; low cost of it’s projectiles.
But it has many major disadvantages at our current technological state :
1. It almost destroys the gun’s inner parts after each firing. Needs constant maintenance.
2. The amount of energy needed to fire each shot is so large that only destroyers like a Zumwalt Class can muster.
3. Due to incredibly high muzzle velocities (9+Mach) , fitting electronics to the projectiles that will withstand the g forces, is a big challenge.
4. With current technology levels and lack of platforms to launch to achieve 100 to 200km effective ranges is too costly when compared to , say , hypersonic missiles.
That picture above is not correct as it is also stated in the related tweet that it is only a representative picture.
In terms of our rail gun development; I would forget the Sahi guns. They are no where near achieving the potential results. (we have seen their measly trial shots) . But Aselsan’s Tufan has come a long way and could achieve a result. Still it is a technology that has many obstacles along it’s way. That is why the US has
shelved the project for the time being.
Pls see below file completed projects re Aselsan . As of last year they were still working on the project. We may yet see a surprise. At worst it is a technology that is needed in launching jets from carriers. And having that tech under our belt could come in handy.
quote
Electromagnetic Design and Optimization of a 10 MJ Electromagnetic Launcher - Phase VI: Second phase of the
TUFAN railgun project in which a 10 MJ prototype suitable for repeated shots will be designed and tested. Detailed 3D multi-physics FEA models are developed to obtain electrical, mechanical force, and thermal characteristics of the railgun.| |2022-2024| ASELSAN SST |
Electromagnetic Design and Optimization of a 10 MJ Electromagnetic Launcher - Phase VI: Second phase of the
TUFAN railgun project in which a 10 MJ prototype suitable for repeated shots will be designed and tested. Detailed 3D multi-physics FEA models are developed to obtain electrical, mechanical force, and thermal characteristics of the railgun.|
unquote