Electromagnetic Rail Guns - 100 mile range?

Electromagnetic Rail guns (these are not the Railway Guns of WW2) work by accelerating their projectile between two electrically charged 'rails' as depicted here"

Now please don't dismiss this as being a load of old guff - as the US Navy is already testing their prototypes:

Rail Guns achieve much greater velocities than conventional chemical propellant guns - and these velocities suggest that there will be no need for high explosive shells - as the kinetic energy of the projectile will be so destructive on terminal contact.

                               German Electronic Rail Gun Drawing (Sabot) from WW2.

We're talking here about velocities in excess of 2.4 kilometres per second. (Mach 7). - And ranges out to 100 miles.

A 'single loop' rail gun requires a launch current of a "few million amperes" - Although there is no chemical 'explosive' propellant involved - the heat generated by the speed of propulsion is considerable.

                                              Prototype Navy Rail Gun.

Researchers were aiming for velocities of 11,500ft/per/sec (Mach 10)  - Yugoslavian researchers are already seeking 23,000 ft./per/sec.

These extreme high velocities not only mean that explosive laden warheads are not needed - but also mean that the launch vessels will not need any 'magazines' full of explosive propellants on board either - reducing the threat of catastrophic on-board fires. - Think nuclear powered electricity generators on-board warships.

               New US 'DDG (DD-X) "Zumwalte"  Class Destroyer (all electric drive).

 - DDG 1002 was named 'USS President Lyndon B. Johnson' in April 2012 - after the 36th President of USA.

 I'd guess that portable 'rail gun rifles' might be just around the corner too (- think modern re-chargeable electric battery development). - forget case-less ammo and 3D printed guns!

Martin K