Editing Electronic firing

{{Short description|Type of firearm action}}
[[File:1911 Britannica - Electric Primer.png|thumb|right|200px| ]]

'''Electronic firing''' refers to the use of an electric current to fire a [[cartridge (weaponry)|cartridge]] instead of a [[Centerfire ammunition|centerfire primer]] or [[Rimfire ammunition|rimfire primer]].<ref>The Gun and Its Development by W.W. Greener</ref>

In modern [[firearm]] designs, a [[firing pin]] and [[Primer (firearms)|primer]] are used to ignite the [[gunpowder|propellant]] in the [[Cartridge (firearms)|cartridge]] which propels the [[bullet]] forward. The firing pin must travel a short distance, creating a [[Lock time|short delay]] between the user pulling the [[Trigger (firearms)|trigger]] and the weapon firing, which generally decreases accuracy.

However, in an electronic-firearm, an electric current instead of [[Action (firearms)|conventional mechanical action]] is used to ignite the propellant which fires the projectile.<ref name="pm041206">{{cite news|last1=Gromer|first1=Cliff|title=Remington's Model 700 EtronX Centerfire Target Rifle Redefines The Big Bang Theory|url=http://www.popularmechanics.com/technology/gear/reviews/a211/1277311/|accessdate=18 December 2017|publisher=Popular Mechanics|date=December 6, 2004}}</ref>

There are two approaches to electrically firing the cartridge. One method retains the primer, which functions analogously as a conventional primer. However, rather than being struck by a firing pin or by equivalent mechanical means, an [[electric current]] serves to detonate the primer. After which, the provided action delivers the thermal impulse necessary to ignite the propellant, which then [[Deflagration|deflagrates]], producing pressure. The second approach is called [[electrothermal-chemical technology]] which utilizes a plasma cartridge. In this mechanism, an electric current is used to generate [[Plasma (physics)|plasma]] that ignites the propellant in a controlled manner.

Electronic firing is also used in aircraft autocannons and ammunition as they are more resistant to jamming in high g environments.

==Examples==
* [[MG 131 machine gun]]
* [[Heckler & Koch P11]]
* [[Remington Model 700#Model 700: standard versions|Remington Model 700 EtronX]]
* [[M61 Vulcan]]
* [[L118 light gun]]
* FD Munitions L5
* [[Marble gun]]
* [[Voere VEC-91]]
* [[Metal Storm Limited]]

==See also==
* [[Solenoid (engineering)]]
* [[Laser ignition]]
* [[Electrothermal-chemical technology]]
* [[Remote controlled weapon station]]

==References==
{{reflist}}

==External links==
*[https://patents.google.com/patent/US2381547A/en US2381547A - Electrical firearm]
*[https://patents.google.com/patent/US3854231A/ US3854231A - Electrically fired multiple barrel superimposed projectile weapon system]
*[https://www.thefirearmblog.com/blog/2016/12/08/laser-ignition-system-voere-x3-rifle/]

{{Firearms}}

[[Category:Firearm actions]]

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