On October 17, Japan’s Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF) and the Acquisition Technology & Logistics Agency (ATLA) successfully tested a medium-caliber maritime electromagnetic railgun from an offshore platform, a historic first for railgun technology.
Railguns launch projectiles at Mach 7 speeds, offering an innovative solution for countering aerial threats, including hypersonic missiles. This advancement reflects Japan’s commitment to staying at the forefront of defense
technology. The railgun utilizes five megajoules of charge energy, with plans to increase it to 20 MJ, making it a formidable weapon. Japan has shifted its missile defense strategy to include railgun interceptors, which are versatile and somewhat stealthy.
The system is expected to be deployed in the second half of the 2020s, bolstering Japan’s defense capabilities in response to regional security threats.