In A World First, Japan Fires Railgun From Warship At An Actual Target Vessel

Japan has carried out a world-first test by firing a railgun mounted on a warship at a real target vessel. The country’s Acquisition Technology & Logistics Agency (ATLA) confirmed that the test took place earlier this year on board the experimental ship JS Asuka, with support from the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF).

According to ATLA, the “Ship-board Railgun Shooting Test” was conducted between June and early July. The weapon, installed on Asuka’s stern flight deck, successfully completed long-range firings and accurately struck a target vessel. The agency shared pictures from the trial on its official social media pages, showing the railgun in action and the test target.

One photo captured the railgun being fired, with a radar array and an electro-optical/infrared camera system visible nearby on another turret. Another picture showed a tug-like ship in the crosshairs of a targeting system. Additional views of the vessel revealed target boards fixed on both sides of its funnel and another at the stern.

The railgun, powered entirely by electrical energy, launches projectiles at very high speeds without using explosive propellants. In tests, it reached speeds over 2,500 meters per second, compared to about 1,750 meters per second for tank guns. Officials said the weapon’s speed, range, and power can be adjusted depending on the mission.

Since it does not use explosive warheads, the projectiles are smaller, harder to detect, and tougher to intercept than missiles. ATLA noted this could give a major advantage in areas where missile defense and counter-fire are strong.

JS Asuka, a 6,200-ton displacement ship, is the JMSDF’s only dedicated experimental warship and has been used to test advanced naval systems. It was first spotted carrying the railgun in April this year when pictures showed the new turret installed at the stern.

This summer’s test follows a 2023 trial, which ATLA said was the world’s first railgun firing from a ship. The latest test is the first confirmed live firing at an actual target ship.

Japan is still developing railgun technology, even though the U.S. Navy ended its program in the early 2020s over cost and technical issues. ATLA said it will share more details at its Technical Symposium on November 11–12.

Reference: ATLA