Re: [HoE] FW: Question about Gauss Technology

[Ghoestrtr@aol.com]

><< Ever see "Eraser?"  Bad movie,yes, but the weapons at the end were fairly 
> accurate for a Gauss rifle. >>
>
>Actually those were supposed to be kinetic railguns.  A technology I hear 
>from friends in the Defense Industry to be 10 to 15 years away.

Okay - I'll bite - what's the difference?

Since there is a railgun in the Wasted West sourcebook. . . 
-------------------
Allan Seyberth>>

We were discussing current (1990s/2000) technology and projected advancement. 
 In limited use the railgun has seen field dispursement in the late 90s (only 
as artillery or on naval vessals).  It has been suggested by industry experts 
that a man portable (roughly the size of those hurking guns in "Eraser") 
kinetic railgun rifle will being opperational use by 2010 or 2015.  In fact 
some experts project that a railgun or gauss based weapon will replace the 
M16A as the standard for US infantry use.  It is certainly the next step in 
main battle tank artillery.

As to how it is different.  The two are somewhat configured diffrently, but 
the largest diffrence is that one fires a type of high density "slug", while 
gauss technology fires slivers of metal.  Railguns have better range and 
penetration, while gauss is far more messy.  A lot of railgun damage is lost 
to blow through.  The drawback to gauss is its limited range and 
ineffectiveness against moderately to heavily armored targets.  Both are 
based on the same technology.  So if railgun tech exists in the wasted west 
(like it does) there should be gauss tech too.