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The US military are in the process of testing a new electromagnetic gun that can fire ammo at 4,500mph.

The Navy have developed a weapon that will use a ship's self-generated power to fire at long-range targets.

This means that the electromagnetic railgun launcher uses electricity instead of chemical propellants.

Magnetic fields created by high electrical currents accelerate a sliding metal conductor, or armature, between two rails to launch projectiles at 4,500mph.

(Image: usnavyresearch/Youtube) (Image: usnavyresearch/Youtube) (Image: usnavyresearch/Youtube)

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The railgun is powered by electricity that has been generated by the ship and stored in a 'pulse power system'.

Next, an electric pulse is sent to the railgun, creating an electromagnetic force accelerating the projectile up to Mach 6.

(Image: usnavyresearch/Youtube)

(Image: usnavyresearch/Youtube)

Using its extreme speed on impact, the kinetic energy warhead eliminates the hazards of high explosives being kept on the ship, and on land, reduces the chance of unexploded bombs which could potentially be detonated.

According to the Office of Naval Research : "The railgun is a true warfighter game changer.

"Wide-area coverage and exceptionally quick response will extend the reach and lethality of ships armed with this technology."