Railgun: Japan’s ATLA releases latest research
– Railgun power supply miniaturized to be equipped on ships
– Latest power semiconductors improve voltage resistance
Summary from an article published on [ITmedia]
Japan’s Defense Acquisition Agency:
On December 24, ATLA released the latest research materials on “railguns.”
“Defense Acquisition Agency Technology Symposium 2024”: November 13
Countries such as the United States, Europe, and China are developing railguns, but no country is actually using them yet.
Archived videos were also released at the same time, introducing prospects for miniaturizing power sources.
Features of railguns:
1. A railgun is a future gun that uses electrical energy to fire bullets.
2. It can fire bullets at a speed that exceeds the muzzle velocity of conventional guns that use gunpowder.
Because it uses electrical energy, the muzzle velocity, power, and range of the bullet can be adjusted.
The bullet size is small, making it difficult to detect and intercept.
Miniaturizing railgun power supplies:
The Defense Acquisition Agency is working to miniaturize the power supply so that railguns can be equipped on ships.
The document mainly introduced the technologies that are being considered for miniaturization.
One example is the “aerosol deposition method” developed by the National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology.
What is the “aerosol deposition method”?
The aerosol deposition method is a technology that creates thin ceramic films that were previously impossible.
1. Instead of the resin film that was previously used in capacitors, a ceramic film is used.
2. It becomes possible to store more energy in the same volume.
Railgun power supplies handle high currents and high voltages:
Railgun power supplies handle high currents and high voltages.
Therefore, they are also focusing on miniaturizing power supplies by using “power semiconductors” that have excellent voltage resistance.
Utilizing next-generation power semiconductors:
Utilizing “semiconductor devices using gallium oxide,” which are expected to be the next-generation power semiconductors.
In theory, it can handle higher voltages than other materials, and the number of semiconductors can be reduced.
https://www.itmedia.co.jp/news/articles/2412/24/news189.html
Japan’s railgun: No. 1 in bullet muzzle velocity, power, and range
1. While the muzzle velocity of a tank gun’s bullet is 1750m/s, Japan’s railgun fires at over 2500m/s.
2. The muzzle velocity, power, and range of the bullet can be adjusted, and the small bullet makes it difficult to detect or intercept.
Development history from 2022:
1. Previous research has focused on how to stably fire bullets with high muzzle velocity.
2. We have focused on the issue of ensuring the life of the barrel that fires the bullets.
3. Future research will establish a rapid-fire mechanism and stable bullet flight.
4. In the future, we will install it on various equipment such as ships and aim to improve its functionality.
In order to achieve the above goals, we will work to miniaturize the railgun power supply.
Experiments in September-October 2023:
Based on previous research, a new armor-piercing bullet with emphasis on stability during flight was prepared.
Ensuring stability during flight:
As a result, the bullet continued to fly stably even after being fired from the barrel, and its power against structures was confirmed.
In the future, ATLA will verify the bullet design and ballistic calculation simulations.
Miniaturization of railgun power sources: Focus on capacitor technology
1. Using a derivative with a high dielectric constant increases the capacitor capacity.
2. Even with the same volume, more energy can be stored.
National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology:
Ceramic thin films are created using Japan’s latest technology, the aerosol deposition method.
1. Instead of conventional resin films, ceramic films are used.
2. The use of ceramic thin films can increase the dielectric constant.
Ultimately, it is possible to achieve energy density several times higher than conventional ones, leading to the miniaturization of power sources.
“Power semiconductors” with excellent voltage resistance performance:
1. Railgun power sources handle large currents and high voltages.
2. Focus on “power semiconductors” with excellent voltage resistance.
Uses gallium oxide power semiconductors:
Uses semiconductor devices made from the next generation of power semiconductors, gallium oxide.
In theory, this makes it possible to handle higher voltages than other materials.
https://www.itmedia.co.jp/news/articles/2411/14/news087.html