Well, ramjet-assisted, but I see your point all the same. The problem is that six hundred kilometres is frankly ridiculous when you consider that the range of the most advanced projectiles from the biggest gun currently in service is much, less than one hundred kilometres in fact I believe approximately fifty. And the flight path makes me think of a complicated tactical ballistic missile, not an assisted shell. I mean, how the hell is a shell going to manoeuvre through that little wiggle halfway through the trajectory? If it's complicated enough to do that, you might as well use a missile.
Edit - a quick search turned this up:
http://forum.cncreneclips.com/index.php?sh...\Evidently it wasn't done by the ShockWave team (I didn't think it was) but that still doesn't explain how a weapon concept with 'TOP SECRET' emblazoned across it in big letters ends up on a gaming forum if it's real.
Also, here's a quick translation of the page from the above thread:
"It uses a smooth barrel to fire a shell which flies at 1500m/s which triggers the pressure engine in the shell, the shell is propelled by several explosions inside the same barrel, going off in sequence as the projectile travels the length of the barrel. The principle for the subsequent explosions is the same as a ram jet engine, compression of air and an injection of flammable liquid. The shell is then propelled into the higher and less dense regions of the atmosphere. It has an accuracy of 250m. And the barrel corrects itself, due to the recoil, to the target after each shot.
Barrel size: 400mm
Shell size: 300mm
Warhead weight: 250 kg
Reload/Firing delay: 2 rounds/min
Range: 600 km
On the diagram besides the text on the top right hand corner:
It says in the first text box: "Enters flying course, glides/flies automatically and engages target."
Second: "Enters terminal velocity and the inner region of the atmosphere or something of that rather, engages air-compression engine, and adjusts course."
Third: "Enters the higher region of the atmosphere and the shell changes course."
Fourth: "Shell's re-entry prevents any loss of momentum and ensures the shell gains high velocity (as you can see the angle at which the shell enters)."
Cross-section of the shell:
Warhead: 1500~2000mm
Engine part of the shell which includes solid fuel and guidance system: 1000mm
Explosive charges which sets off inside the barrel to propel the projectile.
Warhead types:
HE
Bunker buster
Anti-ship
Nuclear
and under the heading of Nuclear: Shockwave, Radiation and Pressure?
Shell type:
Cluster missiles:
Anti-armour seekers
HEAT rounds
Napalm
Small low-Earth orbit satellite
Anti-satellite rounds?
Positions:
One with the shell visible: reloading
One with the barrel to the ground: firing."
Also, did you notice the cargo ship in the bottom left corner? I only just did. That thing looks like the container ship from hell!
Edited by CommanderJB, 31 May 2008 - 13:13.