This basic configuration is formed by a single loop of current and thus requires high currents (e.g., of order one million amperes) to produce sufficient accelerations (and muzzle velocities). The railgun in its simplest form differs from a traditional electric motor in that no use is made of additional field windings (or permanent magnets). Any trade-off analysis between electromagnetic (EM) propulsion systems and chemical propellants for weapons applications must also factor in its durability, availability and economics, as well as the novelty, bulkiness, high energy demand and complexity of the pulsed power supplies that are needed for electromagnetic launcher systems. Notwithstanding the above advantages, railguns are still very much at the research stage after decades of R&D, and it remains to be seen whether or not they will ever be deployed as practical military weapons. The absence of explosive propellants or warheads to store and handle, as well as the low cost of projectiles compared to conventional weaponry, come as additional advantages. The destructive force of a projectile depends on its kinetic energy and mass at the point of impact and because of the potentially high velocity of a railgun-launched projectile, its destructive force may be much greater than conventionally launched projectiles of the same size. For a similar projectile, the range of railguns may exceed that of conventional guns.

While explosive-powered military guns cannot readily achieve a muzzle velocity of more than в‰€2В km/s, railguns can readily exceed 3В km/s. APFSDS) rather than using conventional propellants. ДЄs of 2020, railguns have been researched as weapons utilizing electromagnetic forces to impart a very high kinetic energy to a projectile (e.g. It is based on principles similar to those of the homopolar motor. The railgun uses a pair of parallel conductors (rails), along which a sliding armature is accelerated by the electromagnetic effects of a current that flows down one rail, into the armature and then back along the other rail. The projectile normally does not contain explosives, instead relying on the projectile's high speed, mass, and kinetic energy to inflict damage.

Test firing at the United States Naval Surface Warfare Center Dahlgren Division in January 2008 ДЄ railgun is a linear motor device, typically designed as a weapon, that uses electromagnetic force to launch high velocity projectiles.

Mass effect 2 weapon stats