Japan has sent a defense official to the US to be briefed on the development of the US railgun, which fires projectiles at very high speeds. The official from Japan’s ATLA (Acquisition, Technology, and Logistics Agency) has been tasked with acquiring the know-how from the US, which has conducted extensive research in the field.
ATLA began developing electromagnetic weapons in 2016, marking a milestone last year with the world’s first open sea firing test by a ship of the Japanese navy which invests in these guns as they are more cost-effective compared to traditional guns, their projectiles, due to their high speed, are difficult to intercept and could revolutionize the defense developments worldwide.
Japan plans to develop electromagnetic weapons on various platforms, including vehicles and ships, to strike targets on land, sea and air, and for anti-missile defense. However, the program faces significant challenges such as accuracy and large size. In November, the agency commissioned a special study at a research institute affiliated with the US Navy.
The Japanese official will remain there until June to be briefed by experts involved in the US electromagnetic weapons program and to inspect related facilities. Japan may send additional personnel depending on the results of this initial mission. The US Navy ended its electromagnetic weapons program in 2021 after more than a decade of research, citing strategic changes and financial constraints. Still, a senior Japanese agency official emphasized the value of the US efforts: “There is a lot to learn because a lot of money has been invested in research and many prototypes have been built.”
