Originally posted by J.Jennings
The Navy, which has spent more than a decade and at least $500 million trying to build a working railgun, was initially expected to conduct a sea test of this new weapon aboard the Spearhead-class expeditionary fast transport vessel USNS Trenton at Eglin Air Force Base's maritime test range in the summer of 2016.
That test never took place. Instead, the Navy chose to continue testing the weapon on land. If the Navy's new testing and training plans are approved, sea trials for the railgun could take place as early as next year. It's unclear what type of test platform might be involved.
Should the Navy test its railgun at sea, it will be a major achievement for a program that has struggled for quite some time now. When asked about the program earlier this year, the best answer Chief of Naval Operations Adm. John Richardson could offer was: "It's going somewhere, hopefully."
That test never took place. Instead, the Navy chose to continue testing the weapon on land. If the Navy's new testing and training plans are approved, sea trials for the railgun could take place as early as next year. It's unclear what type of test platform might be involved.
Should the Navy test its railgun at sea, it will be a major achievement for a program that has struggled for quite some time now. When asked about the program earlier this year, the best answer Chief of Naval Operations Adm. John Richardson could offer was: "It's going somewhere, hopefully."
So far, the most impressive thing to come out of the US Navy's railgun research is the hypervelocity projectile, which the Navy has tested using the Mk 45 five-inch deck guns that come standard on cruisers and destroyers.
Comment