It will be able to intercept hypersonic missiles: Japan successfully tests electromagnetic railgun (video)
The Japan Acquisition and Logistics Technology Agency has reported a successful test of an electromagnetic railgun from an offshore platform.
Japan says that the reylane test was an important step forward for the technology, as the country plans to use it both at sea and on land. Information about the conditions under which the tests took place remains limited.
However, it was previously publicly reported that the railgun is capable of firing 40-mm steel shells weighing 320 grams. The weapon uses electromagnets rather than a chemical explosion of gunpowder to fire. The velocity of the shot is 2230 m/s or 7962 km/h with a capacity of 5 million joules of energy.
In the future, the railgun may be installed on Atago-class destroyers, as the ship has improved capabilities to generate the energy needed to operate the railgun. It is possible that the development will be used on Japanese multi-purpose missile defense ships.
#ATLA has accomplished ship-board firing test of railgun for the first time in the world with the cooperation of the JMSDF. To protect vessels against air threats and surface threats by high-speed bullets, ATLA strongly promotes early deployment of railgun technology. pic.twitter.com/MG5NqqENcG
– Acquisition Technology & Logistics Agency (@atla_kouhou_en) October 17, 2023
The speed of the railgun projectiles is so high that they are likely to intercept various targets, including hypersonic missiles. It is possible that the United States will join the Japanese development in the future.
