GA-EMS tests railgun projectiles
General Atomics Electromagnetic Systems (GA-EMS) has successfully tested railgun projectiles with on-board electronics at the US Army's Dugway Proving Ground, Utah, the company announced on 22 June.
Four tests were conducted consecutively in mid-June which saw the projectiles survive the launch environment and perform their functions. The tests also marked the 100th successful launch from GA-EMS' Blitzer electromagnetic railgun.
According to the company, the test projectiles were launched at accelerations over 30,000 times that of gravity and were exposed to the full electromagnetic environment of the railgun launch. The on-board electronics successfully measured projectile dynamics and in-bore accelerations, and the data link continued to operate after the projectiles hit the ground.
Nick Bucci, vice president missile defense systems, GA-EMS, said: 'This is a significant milestone in the technology development toward a railgun weapon system and marks the first time flight dynamics data have been successfully measured and down-linked from an aerodynamic projectile fired from our railgun on an open test range.
'GA-EMS' successful testing and on-going investment to advance our scalable railgun and projectile technologies illustrates our commitment to mature this transformational weapon system and provide the warfighter multi-mission advantages across several platforms.'
You may also like
More from Land Warfare
-
![US gives Patriot $50 billion boost, as Dutch to deliver first equipment under new scheme]()
US gives Patriot $50 billion boost, as Dutch to deliver first equipment under new scheme
The Patriot Air Defence System has been a core part of equipment used in the Ukraine-Russia war, and will form part of the first Dutch military aid package backed by the new NATO-US Prioritised Ukraine Requirements List (PURL) initiative.
-
![Europe’s air defence boosted by more IRIS-T SLM system orders]()
Europe’s air defence boosted by more IRIS-T SLM system orders
The IRIS-T (InfraRed Imaging System - Tail/thrust vector-controlled) SLM (Surface Launched Medium-Range) is a surface-to-air missile system has been developed by Diehl Defence. The system is a key part of the European Sky Shield Initiative (ESSI) and have been purchased by Sweden for this role.
-
![Delivering battlefield connectivity, empowering the warfighter, increasing lethality]()
Delivering battlefield connectivity, empowering the warfighter, increasing lethality
As the British Army and allied militaries look to increase their resilience to electronic warfare, they will require unprecedented access to the latest communication capabilities – like software-defined radios, LEO, 5G – to be successful in today’s advanced and dynamic combat fighting environment. Enter MESHnet.
-
![Poland signs US$6.7 billion deal for more K2 tanks and aims for new industrial capability]()
Poland signs US$6.7 billion deal for more K2 tanks and aims for new industrial capability
The Polish Government sees the latest contract as a big step towards an indigenous capability while also further transitioning from Russian-designed tanks to NATO compliant force.
-
![Leonardo acquires Iveco Defence in $1.9 billion deal]()
Leonardo acquires Iveco Defence in $1.9 billion deal
The acquisition will help consolidate Leonardo’s position in the European land defence sector, aiding it in efforts to boost its domain “interoperability vision”, according to Leonardo’s CEO.
