In more conventional (and useful) units the round is going at around 6,547mps. Near as I can tell an average weight for the bullet would be 8 grams. This gives a total KE of 171,452 joules.When fired at twenty thousand miles an hour, a round fired from that gun would go through anything. * I’m adapting it to fire rounds about the size of a .30 caliber bullet. * The rocky side of the hillside simply shattered, spraying dust and chips out from the point of impact. * “Only 14,732 miles and hour,” he grunted.
HEAT warheads from small anti-tank rockets though usually produce jets with velocities closer to 8,000mps. With an guessed mass of 4 grams the jet has a KE of 128,000 joules.
For comparison's sake, typical bullet energies are as follows:
5.56mm: 1,708 joules
7.62mm: 3,506 joules
12.7mm (everyone's favorite anti-material rifle): 16,569 joules
120mm (modern tank): 30,000,000 joules
Now I know thiat this is a space opera, and that laws of physics aren't welcome - but even so I think Fel might wish to consider upping the coilgun's velocity by an order of magnatude or two.
In the mantime though, who wants to take bets on faey armour VS 120mm tank round?
$10 on the tank round!ANTIcarrot.