For example, a railgun, by comparison, currently cannot achieve a higher muzzle velocity than the amount of energy input. According to the article’s statistics, tests have shown that energy output by the propellant is higher than energy input from outside sources on ETC guns.

ETC doesn’t require as much energy input to operate as other systems. The new weapon is planned to be based on electrothermal-chemical technology, which is supposed to increase accuracy and the muzzle energy of the tank, artillery and close-in weapons systems. The new tank is not expected to emerge into reality until sometime in the 2020s.Īccording to Army developmental papers, the XM813 can fire both armor-piercing rounds and air-burst rounds which detonate in the air. It uses a dual-recoil firing system and a semi-closed bolt firing mode.

The weapon is computer-controlled and electronically driven and can fire up to 200 rounds per minute. For instance, the new tank may use a 30mm cannon weapon called the ATK-built XM813. The Army nixed some features of its future Ground Combat Vehicle, but some of the features they are keeping are pretty nifty.

Futuristic military tank sketch