Japan Successfully Tests Medium-Caliber Maritime Electromagnetic Railgun

• 23 Oct 2023

Recently, Japan has achieved a milestone in its defence capabilities with the successful test of a medium-caliber maritime electromagnetic railgun on an offshore platform.

• This test signifies a potential high-tech shift in Tokyo's defence strategy.

Key Points

• Collaboration in Testing: The test was a collaborative effort between the Japanese Maritime Self-Defence Force (JMSDF) and the Acquisition Technology & Logistics Agency (ATLA), a part of Japan's Ministry of Defence (MOD).
• Electromagnetic Railgun Technology: The railgun utilizes electromagnetic force instead of chemical propellants to launch projectiles at extremely high speeds, even reaching hypersonic levels.
• ATLA's Prototype: ATLA's medium-sized electromagnetic railgun prototype can launch 40 mm steel projectiles, each weighing 320 grams.
• The agency aims to power the railgun with 20 megajoules (MJ) of charge energy.
• Versatile Applications: The railgun's high firing speeds make it effective for countering a broad range of aerial threats at sea, including hypersonic cruise and potentially hypersonic ballistic missiles.
• ATLA also plans to mount railguns on land-based trucks for similar purposes.

Advantages of Railguns

• Extended Range and Accuracy: Railguns can fire projectiles at velocities up to Mach 6.5 or more, enabling them to hit distant targets with precision.
• They exhibit reduced recoil and drag, enhancing accuracy and stability.
• Cost-Efficient and Safe: Railguns eliminate the need for explosive propellants or warheads, reducing ammunition costs and minimizing the risk of accidental explosions.
• They also have fewer moving parts, requiring less maintenance and lowering operational complexity.
• Enhanced Lethality and Versatility: Railguns leverage the kinetic energy of projectiles, enabling them to inflict greater damage.
• They can fire various types of projectiles, from tungsten slugs to smart munitions, making them adaptable to different missions and threats.

Geostrategic Significance

• Japan's progress in railgun development is vital given the growing security challenges in the Indo-Pacific region, including the expanding missile and hypersonic capabilities of China and North Korea.
• Japan, a member of the Quad (along with India, the US, and Australia), is actively collaborating on a strategy to address these threats in the Indo-Pacific.