Blitzer railgun demo at US Army MFIX
General Atomics Electromagnetic Systems (GA-EMS) successfully demonstrated its Blitzer electromagnetic railgun at the US Army's annual Maneuver and Fires Integration Experiment (MFIX), the company announced on 25 April.
MFIX is an annual exercise that brings together military and industry partners to inform requirements, validate/refine concepts, address capability gaps, and assess solutions for incorporation into the future army warfighting assessments.
During the event, the railgun was fired eleven times at a target at a greater range than previous firings. Following the completion of the experiment, the railgun will be transported to the Dugway Proving Ground in Utah for further testing later in 2016.
Nick Bucci, vice president, missile defense and space systems, GA-EMS, said: 'This event marks another milestone for our railgun team. After the successful test firings of our guidance electronics units at Dugway Proving Ground in Utah one month ago, we disassembled the Blitzer railgun system and transported it to Fort Sill where it was set-up and fired during the MFIX event.
'Our goal was met in showing how our advanced weapon system can be efficiently transported from site to site. Testing our system under real world conditions at different locales enables us to gather the critical data necessary to improve the system's efficiency to meet future customer mobility requirements.'
More from Land Warfare
-
![KF41 Lynx finds a path but hurdles remain]()
KF41 Lynx finds a path but hurdles remain
The Lynx is typically configured as an IFV operated by a crew of three and with space for up to eight dismounts in the rear troop compartment. The platform is being delivered to Hungary, has been contracted for Italy and will soon be in Ukrainian hands in small numbers.
-
![Analysis: British Army Ajax in service after problematic delivery – but what now?]()
Analysis: British Army Ajax in service after problematic delivery – but what now?
The Ajax has finally rolled into place and achieved what the UK Ministry of Defence describes as Initial Operating Capability. With the production line for UK contracts only going to the end of the decade, what’s next?
-
![Levelling up – how autonomous fire control tackles unmanned lethality head-on]()
Levelling up – how autonomous fire control tackles unmanned lethality head-on
As autonomous weapon systems proliferate, it is now essential to use the same core technologies to counteract and neutralise them.
-
![US Marine Corps force transformation on track, according to update]()
US Marine Corps force transformation on track, according to update
The US Marines Corps’ Force Design 2030 is about restructure, changes to operational concepts, a refresh of equipment and new categories of equipment. The review indicates a high level of success.
-
![BAE Systems Hägglunds’ CV90120 medium tank takes shape]()
BAE Systems Hägglunds’ CV90120 medium tank takes shape
The new vehicle will be based on the CV90 Mk IV chassis and turret, and will be armed with a Rheinmetall 120mm L44A1 low recoil smoothbore gun.
