While this sounds like something out of a video game rather than real technology, the US Navy is serious about it. Serious enough to commit 14.7 million dollars to two contractors to develop electromagnetic rail guns for use aboard surface combat ships. The Navy is commissioning a 32 megajoule rail gun which is equivalent to a firing speed of Mach 8. Benefits of EM gun is increased accuracy and more space for ammo as the projectiles don't need gun powder and can be smaller.

Via Gizmag