Key insights

• ⚡ Railguns use electromagnetic force for firing high-speed projectiles without explosives
• 💥 Destructive power of railguns depends on the speed and weight of the projectiles
• 🚢 U.S. Navy demonstrated 8 and 64 megajoule railguns for warship use
• 🚫 Railgun development halted in favor of longer range missiles and laser weapons
• 🌊 Navy ship successfully used a laser weapon to shoot down a drone during a test at sea
• 🚀 Tomahawk cruise missile used by US and Royal Navy for land attacks with at least seven variants
• 🗺️ Tomahawk missile can fly up to 1000 miles and utilizes terrain contour matching for navigation
• ⚠️ Missiles' weight and re-arming process at sea pose risks to naval personnel
• 🚀 HighMARS system provides innovative land attack capabilities from ships utilizing the M142 launcher with various missile options
• 🚢 Naval defenses advancing with modern anti-ship missiles and aircraft carrying heavy weapons

Q&A

• How are naval defenses evolving and what makes naval warfare deadlier?

  Naval defenses are advancing with modern anti-ship missiles, and aircraft like the F-18s or F-35s carry heavy weapons. The evolution of weapon systems continues to make naval warfare deadlier, with continuous improvement of weapon systems in navies.

• What is the HighMARS system and what does the U.S. navy's defense setup include?

  The HighMARS system provides innovative land attack capabilities from ships, utilizing the M142 launcher with various missile options. The U.S. navy's defense setup includes successive layers with the Phalanx sea whiz as a final defense. The Phalanx sea whiz utilizes radar and a gatling cannon for missile defense.

• What are the risks associated with missile weight and re-arming at sea, and what alternative weapons is the U.S. Navy armed with?

  The weight of missiles and the re-arming process at sea pose risks to navy personnel. This has led to the removal of ship cranes due to the dangers of re-arming at sea. The U.S. navy is armed with powerful torpedoes and new naval strike missiles for land attacks.

• What are some key features and risks associated with the Tomahawk cruise missile?

  The Tomahawk cruise missile is a long-range weapon used by the US and Royal Navy for land attacks, with at least seven variants. It utilizes terrain contour matching to navigate and can fly up to 1000 miles. However, reloading at sea is considered a dangerous undertaking.

• Why has railgun development been halted?

  Railgun development has been halted in favor of longer range missiles and laser weapons. Additionally, a navy ship successfully used a laser weapon to shoot down a drone during a test at sea. The laser on the ship can target drones and small boats.

• What advancements has the U.S. Navy made in railgun technology?

  The U.S. Navy has demonstrated railguns with increasing energy for warship use, including 8 and 64 megajoule railguns. The energy for firing the railgun was increased, and a high-speed projectile was tested.

• What is a railgun and how does it work?

  A railgun uses electromagnetic force to fire high-speed projectiles without explosives. The projectiles rely on high speed and momentum for damage, and the destructive power depends on the speed and weight of the projectile.

• 00:03 Railguns use electromagnetic force to fire high-speed projectiles without explosives, with potential destructive power depending on speed and weight. U.S. Navy has demonstrated railguns with increasing energy for warship use.
• 01:36 Railgun development has been halted in favor of longer range missiles and laser weapons. A navy ship successfully used a laser weapon to shoot down a drone during a test at sea.
• 03:26 The Tomahawk cruise missile is a long-range weapon used by the US and Royal Navy for land attacks, with at least seven variants. It utilizes terrain contour matching to navigate and can fly up to 1000 miles. Reloading at sea is dangerous.
• 05:00 The weight of missiles and the re-arming process at sea pose risks to navy personnel. U.S. navy armed with powerful torpedoes and new naval strike missile for land attacks.
• 06:47 The HighMARS system provides innovative land attack capabilities from ships, utilizing the M142 launcher with various missile options. The U.S. navy's defense setup includes the Phalanx sea whiz with a radar-controlled gatling cannon.
• 08:38 Naval defenses are advancing with modern anti-ship missiles and aircraft carrying heavy weapons like the F-18s or F-35s. The evolution of weapon systems continues to make naval warfare deadlier.