Navy Issues $92 Million Contract for EM Rail Gun

 

Minneapolis-based BAE Systems has been awarded a $21 million dollar contact by the Office of Naval Research (ONR)to develop an advanced electromagnetic rail gun for the U.S. Navy. The 30-month contract is for the detailed design and delivery of an innovative naval prototype (INP) rail gun. Under the contract, BAE Systems will develop advanced rail gun technologies including a composite launcher (barrel) that will be demonstrated in 2011. ONR’s INP program is part of the Department of the Navy’s Science and Technology investments focused on developing new technologies to support Navy and Marine Corps war-fighting needs. Rail guns use electrical energy instead of chemical energy to launch projectiles at hyper-velocities that can provide ranges in excess of 200 nautical miles. One of the greatest potential advantages of the rail gun program is the improved safety and logistics of weapons that involve no explosives in either firing or storage. Look for more detail at the BAE Systems’ Website.

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