What are some of the advantages of railguns?
A6. Railguns offer numerous advantages over conventional naval artillery: • Extended range Railguns ultimately will be capable of engaging targets at distances in excess of 200 nautical miles. Currently, the Mk 45 5-inch/45 naval gunfire system has a range of slightly more than 13 nautical miles. • Higher velocity Railgun rounds will achieve hypersonic speeds in excess of mach 7 (5,550 miles per hour). Railguns can provide more responsive fires than current naval gunfire systems, cruise missiles, or aircraft on strip alert. • Safer ammunition handling Without the need for explosive propellants or warheads, there is no danger of accidental explosions during ammunition loading and magazine storage. • More rounds aboard ship Because railguns eliminate the need for explosive propellants, logistics for the weapons system is greatly simplified. The additional space can be used for additional rounds or for other uses in the ship. This means a ship can stay on station longer, providing fire su
