New weapon

A radical new weapon that can fire a shell at seven times the speed of sound has been shown off in public for the first time.

Described as 'Star Wars technology' by researchers, the railgun can fire shells at seven times speed of sound, and penetrate concrete 100 miles away.

The weapon was on display to the public for the first time at the Naval Future Force Science and Technology EXPO at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center in Washington, D.C. 

Using electromagnetic energy, the gun can fire a shell weighing 10kg at up to 5,400mph over 100 miles – with such force and accuracy it penetrates three concrete walls or six half-inch thick steel plates.

Two prototypes of the weapon have been developed for the US Navy – one by British arms manufacturer BAE Systems and the second by a US firm.

The BAE version was shown off this week. 

Radical railgun revealed: US Navy's 'Star Wars' weapon that can fire shells at mach 6 and penetrate concrete 100 MILES away shown in public for first time