Japan and the U.S. Navy are jointly developing a railgun that can launch projectiles at 2230 m/s
The Japanese Agency for Technology and Logistics (ATLA) and the US Navy are developing a railgun. The development uses the experience of the United States in accelerating the practical application of railguns.
Japan is developing a medium railgun capable of launching a 0.320 kg projectile with an initial velocity of 2230 m/s (Mach 6.5). The railgun’s high endurance of more than 120 shots and its current charge energy of 5 MJ demonstrate the prospects of this technology, and future development ambitions are aimed at achieving a charge energy of 20 MJ.
ATLA began developing railguns in 2016 and conducted the world’s first firing test at sea using a Maritime Self-Defense Force ship in 2023, aiming for early practical deployment.
The innovative Railgun weapon system demonstrates Japan’s commitment to creating next-generation weapons that will be deployed on both naval vessels and land-based platforms, ensuring strategic parity against potential adversaries in the region.
Railguns, which use electromagnetic force to launch projectiles at high speeds, offer a cheaper alternative to traditional gunpowder-based artillery and are harder to intercept. The Japanese Self-Defence Forces see it as a potential game-changer, with applications in land and sea attacks and missile interception.
