New images appear showing the prototype electromagnetic railing of the Japanese Self-Defense Forces is currently installed on the test warship JS Asuka. If it has not happened, ATSEA testing for the weapon in that configuration is expected to be conducted by the end of the month. Japan’s continued development in this field is in stark contrast to the shelving of the U.S. Navy’s promising pursuit of weapons of this category in the early 2020s after major technical obstacles emerged.
image Asuka And the track gun at the port of Hengshan, at the top and below this story, from @hnlehupy4nr6hrm on X, originally posted online on X. All images were taken on June 30. Other photos taken on the boat recently were also circulated online. AsukaIt was a dedicated test bed with a warship-like design of 6200 tons, first appeared on its stern flight deck in April.
JS’s broad vision Asuka At the port of Hengshan Port, a turret track gun installed on its stern flight deck (see here). @hnlehupy4nr6hrm
These images show the shroud surrounding the orbital gun so that work can be done on the weapon. This confirms that the turret is installed on the turret Asuka With the acquisition of the Japanese Ministry of Defense, the Technology and Logistics Agency (ATLA) for years of testing on land and sea, it is very similar, if not exactly the same, to the acquisition of the Japanese Ministry of Defense, the Technology and Logistics Agency (ATLA). twz This may be the case depending on what is visible in previously available images. The exact development of design over the years is unclear.
Close-up of the front end of the track gun that removed the shroud. @hnlehupy4nr6hrm
Look at the turret and it is still installed around the railing. @hnlehupy4nr6hrm
Composite image of muzzle end and rear muzzle end and rear is now installed on JS Asuka As shown in previously published images, and the prototype track guns displayed by Alta in the past. atla/jmsdf
Also visible are several containerized generators and/or capacitors, as well as other transport containers that may contain other systems or workspaces. Using electromagnets instead of chemical propellants to launch projectiles at high speeds has historically obvious power generation and cooling requirements. These requirements mean that a complete orbital weapon system is often very bulky in body.
06/30/2025 Trial train test ship あすか
Cannon body カバーもして Cannon body body body see よました pic.twitter.com/pdlvxxslgm
– (´･(ｪ)･｀) (@gov_vessel_fan) June 30, 2025
With all this in mind, twz Previously noticed the installation of rail turrets AsukaGiven the ample open space it provides, the flight deck makes sense from a test perspective from a test perspective. Integrating weapons into operating warships in a traditional way will require meeting power and cooling requirements and finding plenty of space under the deck of various components, in addition to the time and resources for these broader modifications.
Picture of Railgun turret on JS Asuka The Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF) was released in April. JMSDF
Railway guns present other challenges when it comes to wear of very high-speed projectiles. As the barrel quickly wears out of extreme friction, the range and accuracy of the weapon are degraded and the potential risk of catastrophic failures can occur.
In past tests, ATLA has reportedly demonstrated the ability to launch rounds at a speed of about 4,988 miles per hour (2,230 meters per second; Mach 6.5) while simultaneously using five Megajoules (MJ) or 5 million joules (J) (J), charge energy. As of April, previous test targets included a muzzle speed of at least 4,473 miles per hour (2,000 meters per second) and a 120 bullet lifespan. Naval News. The report said that ATLA has also been working to reduce the power requirements of weapons.
Japanese prototype railings were launched during sea testing in 2023. Atlas
in May, Aviation Week At least one pair was reported AsukaThe set Railgun installation will take place sometime in June. Yahoo Japan A story was then published saying that the test window will be from June 9 to July 25. The same article said that the test ship leaving Yokohama on June 9 had been observed, but it is not clear whether any on-site fire tests have been conducted.
Kazumi Ito, chief director of ATLA’s equipment policy department, said through an interpreter during a panel discussion at Japan’s DSEI that Japan’s Railgun efforts are “progressing”, but acknowledge “various challenges”. National Defense Magazine.
Despite the challenges, Japanese authorities have made it clear that they are seeking operational naval rail gun capabilities in the future. Starting with the DSEI Japan 2025 Expo earlier this year, the Japanese Ministry of Defense has publicly displayed a model of the railing in the turret, with a much simpler design than the current one. Asuka.
In a public speech in 2024, ATLA’s Naval Systems Director General JMSDF Vice President Imayoshi Shinichi also highlighted plans to integrate a railing on the future 13DDX destroyers, which are expected to begin entering service in 2024. Maya Class destroyers, also known as Class 27DDG, also carry railway guns.
Graphic depicting the railing mounted on A Maya Or 27DDG Class Destroyer. Japanese Ministry of Defense
The video released by Atla last year also depicts ground railings mounted on trucks.
As a potential operational application clause for naval or ground rail guns, these weapons are also expected to become effective anti-air assets, in addition to being able to participate in targets at sea and on land. As twz Have written before:
In principle, a practical electromagnetic track gun would provide a highly capable and flexible weapon system that can be quickly engaged at sea, on land, even in the air and in a considerable range, in a large number of ranges, Japan has previously expressed interest in this capability to express it clearly to express it to help traditional weapons and higher weapons and to provide benefits within the magnetic range. Given the small size and lower unit price for a single turn. ”
“On the warship side, especially when physical space is at a premium, the option of reloading missiles at sea can be very limited, with the weapon system launching lower-cost ammunition from a large magazine and able to participate in a large number of target suits, which is a clear boon.”
Japan certainly is not alone in trying to translate the capabilities that railroad guns can provide into reality. Over the past two decades or so, the U.S. Navy and the U.S. Army have tried rail gun designs. From 2005 to 2022, the Navy was particularly active in this area, but in the face of ongoing technical problems, the work was finally put on hold. After repeated recovery, the planned offshore tests have never been performed. Interestingly, Atla reportedly met with U.S. Navy representatives to take advantage of the department’s past rail gun work.
“When approaching deployment, I believe in the scope of cooperation [with the United States] Will expand. National Defense Magazine.
Meanwhile, the U.S. Navy and the U.S. Army have continued to use speeding projectiles previously developed for track guns for traditional naval and ground guns. The use of fast-flying projectiles for air defense applications, including knocking down incoming cruise missiles and drones, remains a particular area of interest.
The U.S. Navy briefing slide in the U.S. Navy’s abortion railing program shows how weapons-armed ships (and traditional guns fire the same ammunition) may involve a wide variety of air threats, including cruise missiles, as well as ground targets. USN Briefing slideshow related to the Navy’s past Railgun and HVP programs. It shows how ships can potentially pose a variety of air threats, including cruise missiles and ground targets, through HVPs fired by traditional 5-inch naval guns. HGWS/MDAC may have similar versatile features. USN
China is Japan’s main competitor at the regional and global levels, and is also very active in developing naval railway artillery. For the first time a turret gun appeared on a 2018 People’s Liberation Army Navy (PLAN) ship. Since then, how did the design or other China railway gun development develop?
The Chinese Navy rail gun appeared in 2018. Chinese Internet
Other countries, most famously Türkiye, are now actively pursuing rail guns, including naval use. In 2024, the Japanese authorities themselves signed an agreement to work with their French and German counterparts on future Railgun development projects.
New details about Japan’s progress in operating naval rail guns may begin to emerge based on test results for the installation prototype Asuka.
Thanks again @hnlehupy4nr6hrm for sharing the pictures Asuka Shotgun with us.
Howard Altman contributed to the story.
Contact the author: joe@twz.com
