Chinese Navy ship seen carrying a railgun capable of firing hypersonic projectiles.
The next generation of naval warfare appears to have come early, as a Chinese naval warship has been pictured out at sea carrying what appears to be an electromagnetic railgun.
Key points: Railguns use enormous electric currents to shoot projectiles from tracks at great speed.
China's first railgun was revealed in 2011, and has been since tested for more range.
The US has been slow to develop the technology since initial research in 2005.
The sighting appears to pre-date US intelligence estimates that Chinese railguns would arrive by 2025.
The Chinese foreign ministry and the Chinese Consulate have been contacted for comment. »