Originally, I was going to post a poll asking whether you think taxpayers should foot the bill for the rescue of that sailing toddler, but this is far more interesting.
source: http://www.kurzweilai.net/navy-plans-fi ... ip-in-2016The U.S. Navy announced today (Apr. 7, 2014) that it plans to install and test a prototype electromagnetic railgun (EM railgun) aboard a joint high-speed vessel in fiscal year 2016 — the first time an electromagnetic railgun will be demonstrated at sea and a significant advance in naval combat. EM railgun technology uses an electromagnetic force, known as the Lorenz Force, to rapidly accelerate and launch a projectile between two conductive rails. This guided projectile is launched at such high velocities that it can achieve greater ranges (up to 110 nautical miles) than conventional guns, a Navy statement says. It maintains enough kinetic energy that it doesn’t require any kind of high explosive payload when it reaches its target.
