Magnetic levitation trains were one of the prominent mentions in the different sci-fi themes. These trains started to demonstrate the real potential of changing the way armies move about a decade ago. Maglev systems could completely change the army logistics planning as they would enable trains to reach extremely high speeds with very little friction and a large number of hours of operation, thus making the rapid deployment of emergency forces possible. Understanding the idea of military mobility in today’s world is absolutely necessary. Any person who is interested in this topic should follow the progress carefully.
Maglev trains have three main principles of operation, namely: electromagnetic suspension (EMS), electrodynamic suspension (EDS), and passive ferromagnetic levitation. The EMS units that are currently available in certain parts of Europe and Asia, where passenger rail runs, are installed with extremely strong electromagnets that levitate trains over the rail a few millimeters, instead of wheels, and take the speed above 400 km/h.
EDS systems, on the other hand, employ superconducting magnets and long-stator motors with enhanced air gaps and self-balancing travel of more than 600 km/h. They would, however, require specially built tracks and enormous amounts of infrastructure investment, which economically does not justify current military uses.
It is what has actually created defense planning interest; however, that is the development of passive maglev systems. They use permanent magnets to suspend cars over conventional rails, lowering energy requirements by much larger orders of magnitude without compromising the reuse of existing infrastructure. That is, so much greater efficiency without the crippling cost of putting in entirely new rail lines.
A more traditional trial was provided by Italy, where IronLev placed a one-ton vehicle on a normal rail. It traveled two kilometers at 70 km/h without needing to change the rail, using magnetic skids to provide a frictionless, almost-smooth ride.
Nevomo is building in Poland MagRail technology that modernizes traditional railways with magnetic propulsion and linear motors. Maglev and traditional trains take the same path with the hybrid technology.
The whole high-speed corridor is possible by the early 2030s, and the first hybrid services are only a few years away from being opened up. Pure military advantage to the military is not waiting decades to receive new systems when it is capable of refurbishing current ones.
Soldier advantages are clear: stealth, rapid speed of men and gear, less wear and tear, and less expensive in the long term to keep up. Even IronLev’s co-founder quoted their system as being able to pull a 10-ton cart with the same power that pushing a light backpack required. Applied to mobilization uses in everyday life, it translates to quicker mobilization with so much less after-hang logistics.
Some issues are intrinsic, however. Today’s permanent magnets are based on the utilization of the finite resources of rare earth materials that are exposed to disruption. Subduing maglev technology and traditional signaling systems to the point that there can be safe high-speed travel is an issue. The control devices need to be refined further so that they will be able to withstand environmental conditions, as well as reverse such elements as vibration, noise, and magnetic shielding.
However, the advancement pace has not abandoned its trend to become even faster. We have already seen how the use of Maglev, which is a very fast high-speed train, over most of Asia has saved us several hours compared to the time that would have taken on a traditional rail line. The European industry has also been looking ahead and has been quite reasonable in its decision-making, as they have taken into account the use of hybrid technology as well as the refurbishment of the existing rail lines. The technology of IronLev and Nevomo demonstrates how the old infrastructure can be transformed into low-noise, high-speed, and energy-saving transport solutions.
The vision is stunning for military planners. The getting of the command over the power to transport soldiers and their cars all over the continent within a few hours, rather than days, is a quantum leap in strategic mobility. When maglev technology is used in a complete operational deployment, military logistics planning and execution will be revolutionized for a long time.