Japan began testing a railgun on a mother ship

Experimental rail gun mod. 2018

In order to increase the firepower of naval artillery, the Japanese military industry is developing a promising electromagnetic gun. To date, this project has reached the stage of implementation in metal. A few months ago, the finished weapon was presented, and now it has been installed on the carrier ship and the first fire tests have been carried out. It is expected that such events will continue and show the full potential of the new design.

Sequence of projects

According to known data, the Japanese railgun gun development program started back in 1990 at the initiative of the Technology, Acquisition and Logistics Agency (ATLA) of the Ministry of Defense. Research and preliminary design work in this direction were carried out by the Agency's Ground Systems Research Center.

The program was highly complex, which affected the pace of work. Only in the 16s and XNUMXs was it possible to bring the first version of the technology demonstrator gun to testing. It had a caliber of XNUMX mm and showed limited energy and fire characteristics. Nevertheless, the fundamental possibility of creating such a design was confirmed.

In 2016, the ATLA Ground Systems Research Center began creating a new bench prototype in a larger caliber with improved performance. The finished sample was demonstrated in 2018. At the same time, it underwent fire tests, which confirmed the correctness of the design solutions.

Prototype arr. 2023[/ Center]
Then the design of a full-fledged artillery installation began, intended for testing on a carrier ship. This project was completed no later than 2021-22. In May 2022, the Ground Systems Research Center commissioned Japan Steel Works to manufacture a pilot plant. The construction of this product was estimated at 6,5 billion yen (approx. $48 million).

The order took a year to complete. In mid-May 2023, the contractor demonstrated the gun on a machine, ready for testing. In the near future they planned to put it on the carrier and conduct the first firing. It was reported that the gun has a caliber of 40 mm and should show a muzzle energy of 5 MJ.

Cannon on a ship

Within a few months, the prototype was prepared for testing on the water. On October 17, ATLA reported the first firing of an electromagnetic gun located on a combat ship of the Maritime Self-Defense Forces. It is claimed that this is the world's first testing of such a product on a surface platform.

Gun on recent tests

ATLA included a short demonstration video with the official announcement. It shows the firing of a new gun from different angles. It is not reported how many shots were fired during the test. At the same time, some of the main characteristics were named, showing the general capabilities of the gun.

It is reported that the new artillery installation is designed to protect its carriers and warrant ships from surface and air threats. They will be fought with high-speed projectiles from electromagnetic weapons. ATLA intends to do everything possible to complete the work as quickly as possible and bring the weapon into service.

Technical issues

To date, ATLA and Japan Steel Works have revealed the appearance of the experimental railgun artillery mount, and also published some of its characteristics. At the same time, a significant part of technical data remains closed. However, it is possible to imagine the appearance and features of the gun, as well as determine its approximate potential.

In official reports, the experimental product is called a “rail gun,” which indicates the general features of its design and principle of operation. The main element of such a system is a pair of parallel rails on which the projectile is located, either itself or in a detachable tray. A current is supplied to the rails, creating a magnetic field on them. In this case, an Ampere force is created on the projectile that closes the circuit, leading to its acceleration and firing.

Shot

It should be noted that the appearance of the Japanese experimental gun does not allow us to determine its class and principle of operation. All key elements are covered with casings, and there are also various cables and a cylindrical muzzle, which could be considered a sign of the use of a Gaussian circuit.

The exterior of the prototype is probably formed by removable casings and hides key components. So, in May, an experimental gun was shown with a full set of additional panels. In this configuration, it looked like an elongated parallelepiped with a hole in the front wall and a breech in the rear. During fire tests, the covers were probably removed. However, even after this, the key parts remained inside the case, hiding all the details.

The gun is placed on the swinging part of the machine with vertical aiming mechanisms. Obviously, the artillery system includes not only the cannon itself. It needs electronic controls, a power system with sufficient performance, etc.

Reportedly, the current version of the ATLA gun has a caliber of 40 mm. Special projectiles weighing 320 g with a detachable metal tray are used. The initial speed of such a blank can reach 2230 m/s, the muzzle energy is 5 MJ. It is reported that the product is not yet using its full energy potential. As testing continues and characteristics increase, the muzzle energy is going to be increased to 20 MJ.

The range of aimed fire, the penetration characteristics of the projectile and other features of the new system are not specified. At the same time, it has been repeatedly reported that in all main parameters the railgun is superior to existing powder systems, even of larger calibers.

Prospects for Directions

The platform for testing the experimental rail gun was one of the Japanese MSS warships, although its type and name were not named. For an indefinite period of time, he will have to ensure testing and testing of the new design, based on the results of which the command will draw conclusions and determine the future fate of the project.

If the tests that have begun confirm the design characteristics, then the Japanese fleet will be able to receive a fundamentally new weapon. The most likely carriers of railguns are destroyers of the latest and future projects. They have a modern high-power power plant, which should be enough to ensure the operation of a fundamentally new weapon.

Separation of projectile and master device

The rail gun being tested has a caliber of only 40 mm and should produce a muzzle energy of 20 MJ. It can be assumed that MCC and ATLA will not stop there and will begin to scale the new technology. The result of this over the next few years may be new models of guns with higher performance. The caliber, projectile weight, firing range, etc. will be increased.

However, such development of this direction directly depends on the energy capabilities of existing and future ships. There is no point in creating a weapon whose energy consumption will exceed the generation of any existing and future platforms. In addition, the complexity and high cost of such a weapon mount calls into question the need for constant improvement of performance.

In a narrow circle

Thus, Japan entered an extremely narrow circle of countries that not only deal with the subject of electromagnetic weapons, but also managed to bring such a product to testing on a surface platform. ATLA and related organizations recently began testing their railgun in a real-world configuration.

It is unknown what the results of these measures will be. The program developers are very optimistic and hope for positive results. If their expectations are met, then the MSS will be able to obtain a fundamentally new weapon. However, the timing of completing all work and putting the guns into service is still in question.

Comments

[Uncle lee]

There is no point in creating a weapon whose energy consumption will exceed the generation of any existing and future platforms.

The battery runs out and that's it...

[Kotofeich]

"The main element of such a system is a pair of parallel rails"
Well, soon the rails will become more expensive.

[knn54]

The Zumwalt destroyers/cruisers were designed with EM guns in mind.
"The bullet is a fool...the rail is great."

[Butunak]

Weapons of the future, you can expect anything from the Japanese and most likely they will repeat their stunning success of the late 19th and early 20th centuries, when literally from a closed and feudal country they became on a par with other powers of that time. I have always been interested in how a nation of samurai, peasants, in one generation became engineers, craftsmen, and workers of a good level and managed to build battleships, aircraft carriers, airplanes, engines, guns, etc. in a relatively short time. Yes, they copied it at first, but still.
God forbid they fall into militarism again

[Vladimir80]

you can expect anything from the Japanese

Not quite so, you can expect from them everything that the United States allows them

[Passing]

Quote: Butunak

I have always been interested in how a nation of samurai, peasants, in one generation became engineers, craftsmen, and workers of a good level and managed to build battleships, aircraft carriers, airplanes, engines, guns, etc. in a relatively short time. Yes, they copied it at first, but still.

Just like modern China. Due to powerful foreign investments and direct supplies of finished weapons. Specifically from England. And it was necessary to rise not to the level of superpowers, but only to catch up with an equally backward agrarian power that had gone a little further along the path of industrialization.

[JD1979]

Quote: Passing by

Just like modern China. Due to powerful foreign investments and direct supplies of finished weapons. Specifically from England. And it was necessary to rise not to the level of superpowers, but only to catch up with an equally backward agrarian power that had gone a little further along the path of industrialization.

How bad everything is with your head and its contents... At least put you in the cabinet of curiosities and show for money what a typical aborigine looks like living on the territory of a once great country))) 40 years after the collapse of it and the education system))) Education is already no, but ChSV is ahead of the rest)))

[Passing]

To understand, I received my education in that very great country. And judging by the fact that you do not know basic factual material, you received your education in a completely different country.

[Setavr]

...shells weighing 320 g with a detachable metal tray. The initial speed of such a blank can reach 2230 m/s, muzzle energy – 5 MJ...

m=0.32kg
v = 2230m / s
E=mv²/2=0.32*2230*2230=0.8MДж.
Something doesn’t work out at 5 MJ, no way.

[Ivan Seversky]

m=0.32kg
v = 2230m / s
E=mv²/2=0.32*2230*2230=0.8MДж.
Something doesn’t work out at 5 MJ, no way.

The article in English says that tests with a steel projectile took place in May.
https://www.thedrive.com/the-war-zone/japans-railgun-performs-first-test-firing-at-sea
I believe that it is a tungsten projectile with a diameter of 40 mm. can have a mass of 2 kg, which will allow it to have an energy of 5 MJ.

If it turns out to be 4.4 km/s, there will be a chance to destroy not only a cruise missile, but also a ballistic missile.

PS And I didn’t see any “separable tray” in English.

[Podvodnik]

. If it turns out to be 4.4 km/s, there will be a chance to destroy not only a cruise missile, but also a ballistic missile.

No, it won't work. Single shot shooting. It is almost impossible to hit a target flying at even subsonic speeds. The probability is very low. Only "fire density". Even the guidance mechanics will not be able to provide the required accuracy. The backlash cannot be reduced to zero.
The result will be the same as that of the amers. They will step on the same rake.

[Passing]

Add the weight of the pallet and everything works out. Why is the pallet so heavy? So it must be conductive, i.e. no Kevlar, and in addition to withstand huge currents, i.e. be of large cross-section. So, suddenly, thanks to the vigilance of a meticulous comrade with a calculator, the huge disadvantage of railguns was revealed.

[Vladimir80]

Add the weight of the pallet and everything works out. Why is the pallet so heavy? So it must be conductive, i.e. no Kevlar, and in addition to withstand huge currents, i.e. be of large cross-section

those. the pallet accelerates the projectile, and then “stops” or...?

[Passing]

After leaving the barrel, the sabot breaks up into several parts and flies further separately from the projectile.
In general, the pallet was introduced because the projectile must have good aerodynamics and penetration ability, but a conductive guide sliding along the rails cannot have such properties due to its required geometry, and besides, the metals and alloys suitable for the projectile are very poor conductors of electricity. Those. a railgun simply must use a special, highly conductive pallet for the projectile.

[Corvair]

When can we expect the battleship Yamato II?

[Aviator_]

When can we expect the battleship Yamato II?

They are not even able to create a civil aircraft, the Americans do not order it. And here they are playing around, developing a dead-end branch. The states are interested in what will work out for them, since things didn’t work out very well for themselves.

[Witsapiens]

Quote: Aviator_

When can we expect the battleship Yamato II?

They are not even able to create a civil aircraft, the Americans do not order it. And here they are playing around, developing a dead-end branch. The states are interested in what will work out for them, since things didn’t work out very well for themselves.

Yes, yes, a dead end branch, and drones are just toys, right?

[Knell wardenheart]

These vanderwaffles may well take root among the Yapians, since they are still self-bound by post-war “anti-military” restrictions that limit the numerical and tonnage values ​​of their fleet. So, focusing on quality and innovation is quite the way to go. Another thing is that the rail would need a lot. capacious energy system, and this already leads to the need for Japan to develop its own “peaceful atom”. After Fukushima this will not be easy...

[opposite28]

Laser developments have great prospects in contrast to the railgun and great scientific and technical potential

[Knell wardenheart]

The advantage of Rails is that, unlike LO, it is much more difficult to defend against - especially for small-medium and even large air targets and small-medium sea targets. From the same LO can be saved by rotation, a6lation coating, steam-gas generation of active or passive type, reflective coating, heat-resistant coating, etc.
In the case of the Rail, it replaces the classic art (in many niches), despite the fact that it does not need powder magazines and in the case of a large-scale transition, the price of consumables for its operation will be really cheap.
And most importantly, to protect yourself from the rails you will have to use anti-kinetic armor options - which is much more difficult, especially for small-medium targets.
Rails also have disadvantages, perhaps these are irremovable disadvantages - but in relation to the fleet it is much more attractive than LO.

[Eule]

For some reason, no one notices that a railgun can have a variable firing speed. In the sense that the same gun can throw heavy full-caliber shells at 600 - 800 ms to sink a vehicle or destroy a port, and thin light sub-caliber shells at 2 - 4 km/s against aircraft and missiles. However, it has one guidance system, which is expensive, and one projectile supply system. And this is already a very high-quality breakthrough in the creation of weapons. Until now, the caliber and barrel length dictated the type of projectile - you can’t stuff a lot of explosives into a 125 mm tank gun projectile, and its fragmentation effect is less than 155 mm. And vice versa. And here we got a mortar - howitzer - anti-aircraft gun on one carriage, with one sighting system.
That's interesting.

[Alexey Lantukh]

Let’s say they accelerated the blank to hypersound, but they still need to hit the target. But the blank is not homing. And the rate of fire of the railgun is very low.

[faterdom]

Railgun is a task for the energy sector of the future that does not yet exist.
And in atmospheric conditions, accelerate a 16mm bullet to meteorite speeds, and you’ll get a meteor shower, or expensive fireworks.
A nuclear-pumped laser is much closer as a weapon.

[Bormanxnumx]

Quote: faterdom

And in atmospheric conditions, accelerate a 16mm bullet to meteorite speeds, and you’ll get a meteor shower, or expensive fireworks

Meteorites burn up in the atmosphere at much higher speeds than the description in the article provides)

[Plowman]

This is several times faster than a bullet..... serious thing

[Dmitry Zadorozhniy]

Everything is fine, everything is wonderful. But what is this railgun for? What types of targets to hit? Only direct fire targets? Even a ship needs explosives. Don't pierce the hull, but make a boom inside so that the bulkheads are blown out of proportion.