Revolutionizing Defense Against Hypersonic Threats

Japan has introduced a new railgun, a powerful weapon capable of reaching speeds of 5,600 mph. This advanced electromagnetic weapon is designed to intercept threats like hypersonic missiles and drone swarms. It is being developed by Japan’s Acquisition, Technology & Logistics Agency (ATLA) and has been tested on the Maritime Self-Defence Force’s JS Asuka warship.

The prototype railgun weighs eight tonnes and has a six-meter-long barrel. It can launch 320g steel projectiles at speeds up to 2,500 meters per second, approximately Mach 7. The weapon utilizes magnetic force instead of explosives, offering a potentially cheaper and safer alternative to conventional weapons. ATLA aims to increase the system's energy output to enhance its range and effectiveness, with plans for deployment on both ships and land.

Japan's investment in next-generation defense technologies includes this railgun project, which began research in 2016 and live-fire testing in 2022. The Japanese government allocated a significant amount to the program in 2022. Engineers have focused on addressing technical challenges that have hindered similar projects in other countries.

The Japanese design has incorporated improvements to reduce wear and enhance projectile stability at hypersonic speeds. The railgun is designed to be scalable, with efforts underway to reduce the size of its charging and capacitor systems. Currently, the weapon requires four large containers for power and storage, but ATLA aims to reduce this to two containers by 2027, with a complete operational version planned for 2026.