Saddam Hussein is not the only person interested in superguns. Edouard
Bruyneel of Huntingdon has filed a European patent application (493 061)
on a supergun to launch satellites into orbit.
The long barrel is built from pipe sections clamped together and encased
in concrete. A pro-ectile is loaded into one end and propelled by an explosive
charge beneath.
The barrel contains a string of further charges, triggered to ignite
just as the base of the projectile has passed. The projectile is accelerated
as it moves along the barrel to a far higher velocity than a single charge
could achieve.
