Star Wars research: the \muzzle\" (left) and holed 1-inch steel target plate of a railgun (Electromagnetic Launcher) under test at Maxwell Laboratorie
Star Wars research: the \muzzle\" (left) and holed 1-inch steel target plate of a railgun (Electromagnetic Launcher) under test at Maxwell Laboratories Inc. , San Diego, California, as part of the U. S. Government's research programme into space-based weapons capable of intercepting ballistic missiles - the Strategic Defense Initiative. Railguns use electromagnetism to accelerate a projectile towards its target, as opposed to rifles or rockets which use chemical energy as a propellant. This device is capable of firing a 0. 3 pound plastic projectile at about 3 kilometers per second (7,000 miles per hour)."
Size: 3543px × 2562px
Photo credit: © U.S. DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE/SCIENCE PHOTO LIBRARY / Alamy / Afripics
License: Licensed
Model Released: No
Keywords: combat, defense, electromagnetic, electromagnetism, gun, launcher, program, programme, rail, research, sdi, space, star, target, war, wars
