Indian navy railgun development

lcafanboy

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Indian Scientists Successfully Fire Electromagnetic Railgun (Mach 6) Test Shot



The Indian Defense Research organization hopes to soon complete trials of electromagnetic railguns that would give the country's naval forces a superlative advantage and a capability to launch devastating attacks on both land and sea targets.

NEW DELHI (Sputnik) — Indian defense scientists have successfully developed electromagnetic railguns (EMRG) that can fire projectiles at Mach 6 (six times the speed of sound) or 4,600 miles per hour. Such railguns are touted as one of the future technologies of warfare, as they use kinetic and laser energy instead of controlled explosives for firing missiles.

READ MORE: India's Subsonic Nuke Capable Cruise Missile Hits Bull's Eye on Fifth Trial


According to the state-owned Defense Research and Development Organization (DRDO), a 12 mm square bore EMRG has been successfully tested and they are preparing for the 30 mm variety. The target is to accelerate a one kilogram projectile to a velocity of more than 2,000 m/s with a capacitor bank of 10 megajoules.

"A simple, single pulse driven railgun launcher was developed with a minimum of metal components in proximity to the bore to maximize the inductance of the launcher and to improve the launch efficiency. The launcher has a 12 mm square bore cross-section. The launcher was fabricated with lengths ranging from 1 to 2 meter," a defense scientist involved with the project told Sputnik on condition of anonymity.

READ MORE: India Set to Conduct Fifth Trial of Homegrown Cruise Missile


Experts are of the opinion that India is gaining expertise beyond the conventional fields for technology development.

"As handling will be very easy, the armed forces can deploy it at any location in an emergency situation. It will be a very tactical weapon for the naval forces, Rajiv Nayan, a missile technology expert at the Delhi-based Institute for Defense Studies and Analyses (IDSA), told Sputnik.

Another expert believes that such technological advancements will not only provide more teeth to the armed forces, but will also affect a change in the principles that guide the Indian military's approach to warfare.

"These are the times of early stages of development and more such tests in the future would help India to operationalize this technology, which eventually could demand some changes into the military doctrines," Ajey Lele, a security analyst at IDSA, told Sputnik.

India expects to equip its naval forces with EMRG as the system has the potential to provide responsive, long-range, accurate and high-volume naval surface fire support. Railguns will also eventually be able to engage surface targets in direct-fire mode. Overall, EMRG will offer numerous advantages over conventional naval gunfire systems, as they have extremely long range, speed and accuracy thus nullifying the escape factor of an enemy platform or approaching projectile.
https://sputniknews.com/military/201711071058896240-india-electromagnetic-railgun-test/
 

lcafanboy

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This is huge if true because the same technology is also used for EMALS for Aircraft carriers........ Mogambo Khush Hua... :balleballe::balleballe:

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Kshithij

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Sir you understand what is Research and Development, let them deal with it. It has to be made into working weapon.

It has to be put into vehicle like this laser



then charged and fire.

We are now working on Hypersonic stuff that is what is important, we need to control them and move them the way we like for both offensive and defensive warfare.
The problem is exactly that - charge and fire. War requires time management. The charging time is a waste. Rail gun also has as much an accuracy as artillery. It is simply a wasteful research for defence. It may be useful for launching of vehicles or projectiles tp space etc but has nothing that makes it a weapon.

The laser may be useful for defence of ships due to its high accuracy in SAM and ABM roles and is a worthwhile project.
 

HariPrasad-1

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The firing of Rail gun projectile is dependent on electrical energy stored in capacitors. The firing of rockets, artillery etc is based on chemical energy stored in the explosive fuel.

If one has to claim that Rail gun is better than artillery or rockets, one has to first state as to how electrical energy is better than chemical energy.

The reality is that the capacitors storing such large amounts of energy are much bigger in size than the chemical compounds. Also, the fuel required to power up the capacitors is also larger in size than corresponding chemical compounds (unless nuclear energy used). Also, since the chemicals are already manufactured beforehand, the firing rate is high. While the capacitors have to be charged for every round and takes lot of time.

This results in the following problems with railguns-
1. Large fuel requirements to generate additional electrical power to fire railguns. This means that only nuclear powered vessels can use them practically for repeated firing. Since only aircraft carrier has nuclear power, it is only usable on carriers.
2. Slow recharge of capacitors means the firing rate of railguns are slower.
3. Specialised rails and equipment to use large amounts of electromagnetic force will require large number of moving parts and have higher chance of faults. The space requirements is also large.
4. Since the projectile is fired by electromagnetic force, using of metallic projectiles are important. Projectiles like rockets, missiles have non metallic fuel and parts which may not be able to be fired efficiently.

Rail guns are a very bad idea. It is practically useless.
You do not understand what Rail gun is. It is not used as a substitute of missile but as the substitute of long range artillery shelling. Because of high kinetic energy, It can cause much more damage and it can go a lot more distance. It is very cheap to operate compared to traditional bun. These rounds are also used as missile killer.
 

Kshithij

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You do not understand what Rail gun is. It is not used as a substitute of missile but as the substitute of long range artillery shelling. Because of high kinetic energy, It can cause much more damage and it can go a lot more distance. It is very cheap to operate compared to traditional bun. These rounds are also used as missile killer.
I know. That is why I said 'artillery or rocket'. I didn't use missiles here as I know very well that rail guns are not comparable.

But, artillery has 2 things - quick fire due to stored energy in the charge and ability to fire rocket based shells which can have guidance.

As I said, due to large size and high power needs, it can only be used on carriers. Even regular artillery can't be replaced by rail guns due mobility issue and lack of power plants in battlefield.

This means that accuracy or speed of fire is critical. For short range attack, speed is needed and long range needs pin point accuracy. Ocean is a large place. Even if target is missed by 30 metres, the round will go to the bottom of the ocean. And when a sudden enemy pops in front at short range, high rate of fire is mandatory.

Rail gun, according me has no tactical use. If you think otherwise, please tell in what scenario can rail gun be better than an alternative
 
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http://www.india.com/news/india/ind...railguns-capable-of-firing-at-mach-6-2612719/

India Tests Futuristic Gun Capable of Firing at Mach 6

New Delhi, Nov 8: India has taken a giant leap in developing futuristic weapon platforms with the Defence Research and Development Organization (DRDO) successfully developing electromagnetic railguns (EMRG). The EMRG can fire projectiles at extremely high velocities reaching up to Mach 6 or 4,600 miles per hour. These railguns launch the projectile without using explosives or propellants. Instead they use kinetic and laser energy to achieve extremely high velocities.


DRDO officials claimed that they tested a 12 mm square bore EMRG and in the next stage they will go for the 30 mm variety, according to Sputnik News. The railguns being developed will be able to launch a one kilogram projectile with a velocity of more than 2,000 m/s with a capacitor bank of 10 megajoules.


According to defence experts these railguns are easy to handle and can be deployed very quickly in any theatre of operation. Using such advanced and devastating weapons also boosts the morale of troops and act as force multiplier, added another expert.

However, they added that India is still perfecting the technology used in electromagnetic railguns and the armed forces are a few years away from getting these weapons. Such platforms are extremely useful for naval forces due to their ability to respond immediately with long-range, accurate and high-volume fire support.

These weapons will hit the target with extreme speed and accuracy without giving the enemy any chance to escape. In a conventional gun , the projectiles are launched based on gas expansion which follows the usage of explosives and chemicals. A conventional gun has limitation related to the launch velocity and range which can be limited to 1.5 km/s and 80 kilometres respectively.

The United States Navy is also testing railguns for attacking land-based targets and aerial threats including supersonic missiles.
 

Papai Mondal

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Yeh DRDO kya khichri paka rahe hain??!! 1994 mein hi test kar liya ab na jaane kya kya bana liya hoga lekin sirf secret rakkhe hain, Good Work DRDO!!:india:
 

Spectre

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Railguns are indespensable, useful in both the offensive and defensive. They can handle both, land attack and anti shipping missions at a lower cost. However, it is the ship self defense application of these weapons that excites me the most. Hypervelocity projectiles (launched from both, EM and powder guns) when used to shoot down cruise missiles, will reduce cost per kill drastically. The HVP's are way cheaper than the attacking missiles, thus cost advantage will be with the defender. Ship defence capacity will no longer be dependent solely on the number of VLS's.

HVP's(launched from rail and powder guns) will be combined with electronic attack, microwave weapons and missile interceptors will make our ships way more flexible by allowing them to be employed in more dangerous waters where ships equipped with previous defenses wouldn't dream of going
 

Kshithij

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Railguns are indespensable, useful in both the offensive and defensive. They can handle both, land attack and anti shipping missions at a lower cost. However, it is the ship self defense application of these weapons that excites me the most. Hypervelocity projectiles (launched from both, EM and powder guns) when used to shoot down cruise missiles, will reduce cost per kill drastically. The HVP's are way cheaper than the attacking missiles, thus cost advantage will be with the defender. Ship defence capacity will no longer be dependent solely on the number of VLS's.

HVP's(launched from rail and powder guns) will be combined with electronic attack, microwave weapons and missile interceptors will make our ships way more flexible by allowing them to be employed in more dangerous waters where ships equipped with previous defenses wouldn't dream of going
Railguns don't fire missiles. They fire metal shells. The shell has to be metal for it to accelerate in the electromagnetic force. These projectiles are not accurate as small wind and other factors can change the direction a little, but enough to miss an incoming missile.

Another problem is the slow recharging of railgun. Finally, the railgun is very large in size and consumes space.
 

jackprince

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I know. That is why I said 'artillery or rocket'. I didn't use missiles here as I know very well that rail guns are not comparable.

But, artillery has 2 things - quick fire due to stored energy in the charge and ability to fire rocket based shells which can have guidance.

As I said, due to large size and high power needs, it can only be used on carriers. Even regular artillery can't be replaced by rail guns due mobility issue and lack of power plants in battlefield.

This means that accuracy or speed of fire is critical. For short range attack, speed is needed and long range needs pin point accuracy. Ocean is a large place. Even if target is missed by 30 metres, the round will go to the bottom of the ocean. And when a sudden enemy pops in front at short range, high rate of fire is mandatory.

Rail gun, according me has no tactical use. If you think otherwise, please tell in what scenario can rail gun be better than an alternative
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Technology is something that evolves from crude to refined form only through perseverance and study. It takes time and if worshiped enough, it gives the boon of supremacy.
 

Spectre

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Railguns are indespensable, useful in both the offensive and defensive. They can handle both, land attack and anti shipping missions at a lower cost. However, it is the ship self defense application of these weapons that excites me the most. Hypervelocity projectiles (launched from both, EM and powder guns) when used to shoot down cruise missiles, will reduce cost per kill drastically. The HVP's are way cheaper than the attacking missiles, thus cost advantage will be with the defender. Ship defence capacity will no longer be dependent solely on the number of VLS's.

HVP's(launched from rail and powder guns) will be combined with electronic attack, microwave weapons and missile interceptors will make our ships way more flexible by allowing them to be employed in more dangerous waters where ships equipped with previous defenses wouldn't dream of going

True, but guided variants are being developed. My main argument is that these weapons are way cheaper than the missiles they will be used to intercept. Multiple HVP's launched from multiple rail guns for intercept of a single missiles too can be done, all this with the combined cost of HVP's being less than the missile being intercepted.

EM guns do take a lot of time to reload, agreed, but they will mature eventually.
 

Suryavanshi

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By the way Turkey tests Electromagnetic Rail Gun....So after US China, Turkey becomes third country to show future tech
Damn this is bad
Turkey has it means Pakistan will get it's hand on it eventually
 

Kshithij

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By the way Turkey tests Electromagnetic Rail Gun....So after US China, Turkey becomes third country to show future tech
Even India has railgun. It has also been tested.
Damn this is bad
Turkey has it means Pakistan will get it's hand on it eventually
Railguns are not state of the art technology. India had made the fiest prototype in 1994. USA had made it in about 1990. Yet none are able to use it practically.

PS - the railgun has been proposed over 150 years back and have been a consistent failure for long now
 

Vinod DX9

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Energy source is the main problem. Huge amount of fuel, giant generators etc are hindering...any break through here solve much
I believe not as anti ship artillery but as much smaller machine gun or autocannon it will be first successfully deployed.
 

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