China develops first hand-held electromagnetic rail gun

[EX500rider]

Silent, Compact Riot Control Gun

May 3, 2023: China has developed CS/LW21, the first hand-held electromagnetic rail gun. This weapon is silent, smokeless, battery powered and can hold several hundred coin shaped projectiles that can break glass bottles or penetrate thin (3 mm) wood panels. The CS/LW21 is about 500 mm long and weighs less than three kg (6.6 pounds). Normally several hundred coin shaped projectiles are carried in the weapon and fired individually or continuously. The coin projectiles are effective out to about fifty meters. They hurt when they hit people and can put an eye out. The coin projectiles can be replaced with a smaller number of bullet shaped projectiles that cause more serious injuries at longer ranges.

I wonder how long before this ramps up to a lethal weapon?

http://strategypage.com/htmw/htpeace/articles/20230503.aspx

[DetroitLegalBeagle]

1. As with many things

I think power source is a main issue. Though with rail guns, the rails themselves might be a problem too. I think the Navy's railgun has erosion issues, besides the large amount of power it requires. I think it got canceled due to those reasons.