General Atomics tests railgun projectile
General Atomics Electromagnetic Systems (GA-EMS) has conducted testing of hypersonic projectiles with prototype components for its Guidance Electronics Unit (GEU) at the US Army Dugway Proving Ground in Utah.
The testing saw the projectiles successfully perform programmed actions and communicate component performance to a ground station via a telemetry link. The GEU, housed in the aerodynamically stable test projectile, consists of a number of components, including integrated navigation sensors and processors for guidance, navigation and control.
Five test projectiles were fired from GA-EMS’ 3 mega joule Blitzer electromagnetic railgun system at accelerations greater than 30,000 times that of gravity (>30,000 gees).
The projectiles and the critical components within them experienced, survived and operated in the multi-Tesla magnetic field within the launcher and the overall launch environment. According to the company, all of the GEU components performed as expected during and after the launch event, and through multiple seconds of aero-stable flight.
Nick Bucci, vice president, missile defense and space systems, GA-EMS, said: ‘This latest testing series completes the risk reduction and technology maturation of the individual components of our electromagnetic railgun launched hypersonic projectiles.
‘We continue to fire and test our projectiles in an open range setting, allowing us to collect and analyse a significant amount of performance data under real-world conditions.’
GA-EMS’ Blitzer railgun is a test asset designed to advance technology development toward multi-mission railgun weapon systems. Railguns launch projectiles using electromagnetic forces instead of chemical propellants and can deliver muzzle velocities greater than twice those of conventional guns.
More from Defence Notes
-
![The speed of relevance: how companies can navigate the new era of European defence procurement]()
The speed of relevance: how companies can navigate the new era of European defence procurement
European militaries face a rapidly evolving security landscape and defence production must accelerate to meet surging demand for platforms and equipment. Industry needs to adapt to ensure it gets its products into the hands of the end user, Evelyn Rafferty, Senior Director Aerospace and Defence - Europe at Plexus told Shephard’s Gerrard Cowan.
-
![Eurosatory 2026: Milrem Robotics puts forward multi-layered defence concept for NATO's eastern flank]()
Eurosatory 2026: Milrem Robotics puts forward multi-layered defence concept for NATO's eastern flank
Autonomous systems developer Milrem has evolved a model for an interoperable robotised approach to the Eastern Flank Deterrence Initiative (EFDI), showing how uncrewed systems could provide a multi-layered defence architecture in the air and on land along NATO’s eastern borders.
-
![Eurosatory 2026 to highlight changing defence and security priorities]()
Eurosatory 2026 to highlight changing defence and security priorities
Eurosatory 2026 will reflect a defence and security sector shaped by conflict, rising government spending, uncrewed systems, multidomain networks and growing demand for sovereign capabilities.
-
![Delays, departures and drama cloud UK defence programmes ahead of absent DIP]()
Delays, departures and drama cloud UK defence programmes ahead of absent DIP
The UK defence secretary’s departure suggests that the long-delayed Defence Investment Plan is unlikely to meet the funding demands of the armed forces, with consequences for procurement and the UK’s standing at a NATO summit weeks away.
-
![Agile, sovereign, edge-ready: rewiring defence IT for a contested decade]()
Agile, sovereign, edge-ready: rewiring defence IT for a contested decade
Today's rapidly changing security landscape means that armed forces can no longer treat their data in the same way as in the past. What are the key challenges they face, and how can industry help them?
-
![US lawmakers prepare a historic investment in stockpile replenishment in FY2027]()
US lawmakers prepare a historic investment in stockpile replenishment in FY2027
The House Armed Services Committee recently released the Chairman’s NDAA FY2027 markup, which supports the Pentagon’s request for nearly $90 billion for long-range missiles, air defence interceptors, precision-guided munitions and industrial baseline items.
