Railgun
From Command and Conquer Wiki
| “ | Purchase the Railgun Technology to equip all Predator and Mammoth Tanks with Railgun Technology. - EVA | ” |
Railguns are a type of weapon that act similarly to normal ballistic cannons, but is fundamentally different. The barrel has electromagnetic rails that use the Lorenz force, so the bullet does not need to be magnetic, but only conductive. This type of technology was developed by GDI shortly before the Second Tiberium War, when the technology was used with great effect, although certain prototypical railguns existed as far back as 2002 (the Scorpion railgun). The concepts of Railguns have existed as far back as the 20th century.
Large scale railguns were used on the Mammoth Mk. II walker and served admirably, being capable of destroying most vehicles and structures in just two or three shots. The Ghostalker, a hero of the Forgotten, was capable of withstanding the deadly radiation and massive recoil such a weapon emitted and used a portable, handheld version of it to devastating effects against Nod forces, which could also plow through enemy forces, as the projectiles usually passed through multiple targets.
Following the Second Tiberium War, the technology was further developed by GDI, who eventually managed to create a safer, more efficient weapon for Zone Troopers. A version was developed that was supposed to fully replace the conventional cannons of the Predator and Mammoth tanks, by the middle of 2047 but was only available as an upgrade during the Third Tiberium War. However, this new version of the Railgun could no longer blast through multiple targets. The very zenith of railgun technology was confirmed to have been placed in the hands of GDI's highly capable Commandos and sniper teams - the Commando's weapon is an automatic railgun prototype, extremely efficient against infantry but lacking in power against vehicles, while the snipers operate a special railgun designed for sniping infantry and, like the Commando's, also lacking against armour. This is due to a less powerful capacitor and smaller projectiles, which can pierce any infantry armour, but are ineffective against vehicles. Tank railguns are only meant for tanks and structures; not heavy infantry such as Shock troopers, Zone Troopers and even Black Hand (Infantry). However, most basic infantry are killed in one shot.
It is also interesting to note that during the Third Tiberium War, the 22nd Division's Juggernauts M3A Variant were outfitted with railguns.
