Joule is the independent variable. A watt is defined as 1 J/s, so 1J is 1 Watt* 1second? It's basically like saying "a mile is defined as the distance traveled when traveling at a speed of 1MPH for 1 hour."
Firepower - a chunk of metal at mach-lots will do a lot more damage than a chunk of explosive at lower speeds. Range, for the same reason: Faster projectile goes further. Cost - rather than a precision engineered self-propelled shell with guidance, you just put a chunk of metal in the end thats been lathed to the right size (0.1mm tolerance, I would estimate?). Storage - slugs are smaller.
Actually, I've been following the technology for years, even posted the, by far more portable, version of a suitcase railgun on Tumblr. Thing has been around since September 12th, 2001, and in production since 2002. Don't understand what all the fuss is about; the cool thing is the fact that cold fusion is now a reality. I agree, a guy should be able to buy one at WalMart without having to show I.D., that or at least make it easy to put one together at Micheal's, since it's already rather easy to make an RPG from there.... LOL
theatreguy36Feb 1, 2008
Half Life crossbow?
Closed AccountFeb 1, 2008
At last! Environmentally friendly firepower! Awesome!
paradigmxFeb 1, 2008
with a projectile going mach 5 nonetheless
nimblepruneFeb 1, 2008
build them in space
Closed AccountFeb 1, 2008
Joule is the independent variable. A watt is defined as 1 J/s, so 1J is 1 Watt* 1second? It's basically like saying "a mile is defined as the distance traveled when traveling at a speed of 1MPH for 1 hour."
suricouFeb 2, 2008
Firepower - a chunk of metal at mach-lots will do a lot more damage than a chunk of explosive at lower speeds. Range, for the same reason: Faster projectile goes further. Cost - rather than a precision engineered self-propelled shell with guidance, you just put a chunk of metal in the end thats been lathed to the right size (0.1mm tolerance, I would estimate?). Storage - slugs are smaller.
zombiecakeFeb 2, 2008
The rail gun was not originally conceived for use as a weapon. Thanks for wasting our tax dollars on weapons to defend against non existent threats.
owdenbowdenFeb 4, 2008
?
alaskalonewolfFeb 7, 2008
Actually, I've been following the technology for years, even posted the, by far more portable, version of a suitcase railgun on Tumblr. Thing has been around since September 12th, 2001, and in production since 2002. Don't understand what all the fuss is about; the cool thing is the fact that cold fusion is now a reality. I agree, a guy should be able to buy one at WalMart without having to show I.D., that or at least make it easy to put one together at Micheal's, since it's already rather easy to make an RPG from there.... LOL