The US Navy conducted the first tests of its Rail Gun prototype on May 15 at the Naval Surface Warfare Center, Port Hueneme Division's. These first tests, of a series of four projectiles, were intended to verify the adequacy of the systems, particularly electrical, and of the gun support, which is expected to experience strong mechanical stresses. In addition to the Rail Gun itself, the tests also focused on the guided munition and the sabot protecting it when fired. According to the naval authorities, the tests were very satisfactory, which explains why the firing campaign was reduced to only two days, instead of the three initially planned.
While the United States had, 20 years ago, a substantial lead in terms of Rail Gun, or electric cannon, this was reduced by lack of investment and political interests, to finally fall behind by China, which has already been testing its own Rail Gun on a specially modified LST for almost a year, and which plans to equip its Type 055 cruisers with the new gun, to entry into service in 2025. For the moment, the US Navy, any more than any Western country, has a defined schedule for the entry into service of Rail Gun on its naval vessels.
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