U.S. Navy resumes electromagnetic railgun tests
The U.S. Navy has resumed trials of an electromagnetic railgun. It could be deployed on future battleships.
The prototype of the electromagnetic railgun fires a test shot.
(Image: U.S. Navy)
The U.S. Navy has conducted tests with a prototype electromagnetic railgun (railgun) at the White Sands Missile Range (WSMR) military test site in New Mexico. This is according to the annual report of the Naval Surface Warfare Center, Port Hueneme Division (NSWC PHD) for 2025. Previous attempts with this type of high-speed weapon were officially discontinued in 2021 due to technical problems during development. The weapon has now apparently been reactivated. It is unclear whether any trials have taken place in the meantime. The new three-day test series was conducted on land. However, the weapon is intended to be used at sea in the future.
An electromagnetic railgun is a weapon that accelerates conductive projectiles along parallel rails using strong electrical currents. The projectiles can reach hypersonic speeds between Mach 6 and up to Mach 7. However, this requires a lot of electrical energy and highly effective cooling systems to fire multiple shots in quick succession. In addition, the projectile-guiding parts wear out very quickly due to the high projectile speeds achieved, which can lead to inaccuracies in firing.
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Further development of hypersonic weapons
The tests now conducted at WSMR were intended to "gather critical information about high-velocity firing," the annual report states very briefly. The Naval Surface Warfare Center does not provide more precise details about the test campaign conducted and its results. It only reveals that it was a joint operation with the White Sands Detachment and the NSWC Dahlgren Division in Virginia. The order for the firing tests was issued by the Joint Hypersonics Transition Office of the Naval Sea Systems Command (NAVSEA).
The prototype of the electromagnetic railgun developed by BAE Systems was initially installed at a land-based test site of the Naval Surface Warfare Center Dahlgren Division in Virginia. In 2019, the weapon was moved to WSMR. However, technical problems brought the program to a standstill. The U.S. Navy subsequently announced in 2021 that it would discontinue the project. The prototype was to be stored.
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The institutions involved remain silent on whether the tests are intended to lead to a resumption of the program and further or new development of electromagnetic railguns. In addition to BAE Systems, General Atomics has also carried out railgun development work for the US military. The US military newsletter TWZ speculates that such an electromagnetic railgun could be used in BBG(X) battleships. These are warships that displace around 35.000 tons and are to be equipped with a mix of conventional guns, hypersonic missiles, and laser-guided energy weapons, including electromagnetic railguns. Construction of the first such ship, the USS Defiant, is planned for the early 2030s.
(olb)
