Technology

Japan’s ship-mounted rail gun hits long-range target in key test

AnyFans 2025-09-23

By Kyodo

Japan said its ship-mounted electromagnetic rail gun has successfully hit a target vessel during a recent test, a key step towards the future deployment of the next-generation weapon capable of shooting projectiles at an extremely high speed.
The Acquisition, Technology and Logistics Agency posted on social media earlier this month that a rail gun installed on the Maritime Self-Defence Force test ship Asuka “succeeded in long-range shooting” at a target ship. The post also included four photos of the vessel and weapon.
An official from the Japanese defence ministry’s procurement arm said the live-fire tests were conducted from early June to early July in the Pacific Ocean off Chiba prefecture, east of Tokyo, and in waters near Hachijo Island, about 300km (186 miles) south of the capital.
The agency added that further details will be released at a symposium to be held in Tokyo in November.
In October 2023, the agency announced that it had carried out “the world’s first-ever maritime firing test of a rail gun” and said it would aim to put the cutting-edge weapons to “early practical use” to defend Japanese vessels “from threats in the air and at sea”.

Rail guns can launch projectiles at a much faster speed than conventional weapons, giving them greater penetration power and range. They are considered a potential tool to be used in the defence of Japan, countering China’s maritime assertiveness and North Korea’s nuclear and missile programmes.
According to the agency, a prototype rail gun recorded a projectile launch speed of about 2.3km per second, nearly seven times the speed of sound. As rail guns use electricity instead of explosive force, their projectiles are considered more durable and safer to store.
The defence ministry began earmarking funds for basic research on rail gun development in the 2016 financial year. In May last year, it signed a document on technological cooperation on the weapon with France and Germany.
It has been reported that China is also advancing its development of rail guns, while the US military has shelved its programme due to technical issues.