Sizes of Railguns

Railguns vary dramatically in scale depending on purpose.

Small Laboratory Railguns

Typical size:
• 1–3 meters long
• used for physics experiments
• powered by large capacitor banks

Example research devices can accelerate small projectiles to ~2-2500 m/s.

Medium Research Railguns

Examples:
• University or military lab systems
• 3–6 meters long
• multi-megajoule energy systems
• projectile mass ~100–300 g

Large Naval Railguns

Prototype naval systems:
• 6–20+ meter barrels
• projectile speeds Mach 6–7
• energy per shot ~20–30 megajoules

They require ship-scale electrical power systems.

A standard Railgun uses two conductive rails with a projectile bridging them. When a massive electrical current flows through the rails and the projectile, a magnetic field forms. The interaction of current and magnetic field creates Lorentz force, accelerating the projectile forward.

Basic system parts:
• two conductive rails
• power supply (capacitor bank / generator)
• conductive projectile or armature
• insulating barrel structure

Current path:

Power → rail → projectile → second rail → back to power supply.

Because the current in each rail flows in opposite directions, a strong magnetic field forms between them, pushing the projectile down the barrel.

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Typical Sizes

Laboratory systems
• 1–3 m long
• small projectiles
• used for physics experiments

Military prototypes
• 6–10+ m barrels
• multi-ton installations
• megajoule energy pulses

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Advantages
• extremely high projectile speed
• long range
• projectiles don’t require explosives

Disadvantages
• rails wear out quickly
• enormous power requirements
• heavy infrastructure needed

Example concept:

Instead of a solid projectile, the launcher accelerates plasma.

How It Works

A Plasma Railgun still uses two electrodes like a normal railgun, but the armature is replaced with ionized gas (plasma).

Steps:
1. gas becomes ionized into plasma
2. current flows through plasma between rails
3. electromagnetic forces accelerate the plasma forward

This produces a jet of extremely fast plasma.

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Uses

These devices are usually not weapons.

They are used in:
• plasma physics research
• fusion experiments
• high-energy density physics
• spacecraft propulsion studies

Some plasma railguns can accelerate plasma to tens or hundreds of km/s in laboratory experiments.

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Typical Sizes

Research devices:
• 0.5–2 meters long
• vacuum chamber setups
• powered by pulsed electrical systems

A Helical Railgun is essentially a hybrid between a railgun and a coilgun.

How It Works

Instead of straight rails alone, the system includes a helical electromagnetic winding around the rails.

Current path:
1. current flows through rails
2. sliding electrical contacts on the projectile activate the helical winding
3. the winding creates additional magnetic acceleration

This means the projectile interacts with both:
• rail current
• magnetic coils

This can reduce the extreme current required by normal railguns.
Historical Prototype

One early experimental system at MIT:
• about 3 meters long
• powered by large capacitor banks
• launched small gliders in experiments.

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Advantages
• lower current requirement
• potentially more efficient

Disadvantages
• complex electrical contacts
• still experimental

Coilgun (Gauss Gun)

A Coilgun is the most well-known electromagnetic launcher alternative.

How It Works

Instead of rails, a coilgun uses a sequence of electromagnets (coils).

When powered sequentially:
1. first coil pulls projectile forward
2. next coil activates as projectile passes
3. magnetic field continues pulling it down the barrel

The projectile never touches the barrel, which reduces wear.

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System Components
• magnetic coils along barrel
• timed switching electronics
• ferromagnetic projectile
• energy storage (capacitors or batteries)

Each coil turns on briefly to pull the projectile forward.

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Typical Sizes

Hobby / experimental
• 20–60 cm long

Laboratory
• 1–3 meters long

Research launchers
• multi-stage accelerators several meters long

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Advantages
• less mechanical wear
• easier to miniaturize
• quieter operation

Disadvantages
• lower efficiency than railguns
• complex timing electronics required

What They Are

Microwave weapons emit high-energy radio frequency pulses that disrupt or destroy electronics.

Instead of physical damage, they attack:
• circuits
• sensors
• communication equipment
• navigation systems

These systems are often called High Power Microwave (HPM) weapons.

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How They Work (Concept)

The weapon produces a powerful electromagnetic pulse.

When the pulse hits electronics:
1. energy enters antennas, wires, and circuits
2. voltage spikes occur
3. components overload or fail

This can:
• temporarily disrupt electronics
• permanently damage circuits

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Current Systems

THOR (Tactical High‑Power Operational Responder)

Developed by the
United States Air Force

Purpose:
• disable swarms of drones

Capabilities:
• wide-area microwave burst
• affects multiple drones simultaneously

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Leonidas Counter‑Drone System

Developed by
Epirus (defense technology company)

Purpose:
• electronic defeat of drone swarms

Website:

https://www.epirusinc.com

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Sizes of Microwave Weapon Systems

Portable research units
• small vehicle mounted
• power: tens of kilowatts

Military vehicle systems
• truck mounted
• large microwave emitters

Air-defense systems
• container sized
• mounted on bases or ships

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Advantages
• can disable many drones at once
• no ammunition required
• instant effect

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Limitations
• range limited compared to missiles
• effectiveness depends on shielding
• high power requirements