Can Railguns, Coilguns, and Laser Weapons Work Underwater?

The use of weapons such as railguns, coilguns, and laser weapons in underwater environments is a fascinating topic. While these weapons rely heavily on electrical power or other physical principles, they face significant challenges when deployed below the surface. Let's explore the technical aspects and practical considerations that come into play.

Understanding Electrical Power and Water

Electric shocks occur when you unwittingly intercept a current between a power source and ground. Water, being both electrically and optically dense, significantly hampers the effectiveness of these weapons. For instance, water's electrical conductivity and its refractive index make it challenging for these technologies to function as intended.

Theoretical Possibility

Technically speaking, it is possible to make these weapons functional underwater. However, the execution would be incredibly challenging. For a weapon to be waterproof, every possible entry point for water must be sealed and the entire system must be designed to withstand the pressures and resist corrosion. This presents a substantial design hurdle.

Practical Challenges

Water Density and Absorption Issues

Water is about 80 times denser than air at the same pressure and temperature. This dense medium dramatically reduces the range and effectiveness of these weapons, particularly for lasers and particle-based beam weapons. Lasers, for example, encounter significant absorption and diffraction problems in water, leading to a substantial drop in range. Visible light, although the least absorbed, still suffers from these issues.

Thermogradients and Thermal Boundaries

Directed energy weapons (DEWs) face significant challenges due to thermogradients and thermal boundaries in water. Different temperatures in water can alter the properties of the medium, making it difficult to produce consistent and predictable damage. Variations in temperature, pressure, and water currents mean that a weapon's effectiveness can vary widely. These factors make precise targeting nearly impossible in a combat environment.

Applications and Limitations

Thermal Lasers and Industry

Thermal lasers, while suitable for some industrial applications, are not ideal for underwater combat. These lasers require extensive setup and precise conditions to be effective. Existing thermal lances and plasma cutters already serve this role effectively, making additional applications of thermal lasers in this context limited.

Particle-Based Beam Weapons

Particle-based beam weapons, such as those used in railguns and coilguns, face even greater challenges. The mass and properties of water significantly hinder the effectiveness of these systems. These weapons would dissipate their energy quickly due to the high density and absorption properties of water, making them less effective than lasers or even traditional firearms.

Railguns and Coilguns

Railguns and coilguns represent the most viable options for underwater combat. These weapons have shown potential in underwater scenarios due to their high energy efficiency and the specialized designs used in specialized underwater firearms. However, even with these advancements, significant challenges remain. The weapons need to be completely waterproof to ensure functionality. Additionally, the electrical power and reloading systems must be carefully designed to prevent moisture and corrosion.

Conclusion

In conclusion, while railguns, coilguns, and laser weapons can technically be made to work underwater, their practical use is severely limited. The physical and optical properties of water make it difficult to achieve the range and consistency needed for effective combat. Specialized applications in underwater environments, such as anti-submarine warfare and amphibious operations, may offer limited but crucial uses for these weapons.