Japan: Practical use of new air defense measures: Electromagnetic acceleration system
-Already recorded 2297 meters per second at the prototype stage-
Ministry of Defense:
Developed “Weapon that continuously shoots ultra-high speed and long range bullets by electromagnetic force without using gunpowder”.
Railgun (electromagnetic gun):
The Ministry of Defense is serious about research and development of this new weapon.
6.5 billion yen was added to the government’s initial budget for 2022.
Intercepting hypersonic weapons:
The Ministry of Defense is focusing on railgun research
“Because neighboring countries are developing hypersonic weapons one after another.”
“Hypersonic weapons fly at more than five times the speed of sound.”
Therefore, interception is difficult.
It is said that it may break through Japan’s missile defense (MD).
Japan aims to put new air defense measures into practical use.
What is a railgun:
On two rails made of conductive material,
In the meantime, sandwich a similarly conductive bullet,
A large amount of electric current is passed to generate a magnetic field.
That is the mechanism that drives the bullets.
Research on electromagnetic acceleration system:
A billion yen was included in the supplementary budget for FY2004 as “research on electromagnetic acceleration systems”.
Since then, we have been manufacturing prototypes of electromagnetic acceleration systems.
Target performance:
The goal is “2000m / s (Mach 6) or higher, which exceeds the 1700m / s of tank guns”.
According to the Acquisition, Technology and Logistics Agency, “already at the prototype stage, the speed was 2297 meters per second.”
U.S. military uniform group top
Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Milly
-Interview with the US media in October 2021-
China:
He pointed out that he conducted a hypersonic weapon launch experiment in the summer of the same year.
North Korea:
In September of the same year, the Korean Central News Agency reported the launch test of the hypersonic missile “Hwasong-8” developed by the North Korean Academy of National Defense Science.
Russia:
At the end of 2019, the hypersonic missile system “Avangard” was actually deployed.
US Study:
Railgun bullets are said to fly a distance of 100-180 kilometers.
Railguns have a long range comparable to missiles,
It is also possible to continuously fire ultra-high speed and long range bullets,
It can also deal with a large number of missile attacks.
Expected to be used for all ground, anti-ship, and anti-aircraft.
There is also a view that it will be a military “game changer”.
Ministry of Defense:
From 2022, we will proceed with research to improve energy efficiency and establish high-speed continuous shooting technology.
It wants to start deployment after 2028.
Mainichi Shimbun
https://mainichi.jp/articles/20220101/k00/00m/010/170000c
“Railgun”, Japan promotes full-scale development
-A railgun is required to intercept irregular orbital missiles-
China, North Korea, Russia:
Recently, three countries have begun full-scale development of hypersonic missiles with irregular orbits.
The need for a railgun:
Japan has already shown an interest in railgun development since 2015.
Anomalous orbital supersonic missiles are fast and difficult to predict their path.
The existing interception system has its limits.
Nikkei reported that the need for railguns emerged from this judgment.
Practical use of railguns:
To put the railgun into practical use, it is essential to procure a sturdy metal material that is easy to conduct electricity.
Japan has “the world’s most competitive material industry”.
From this point, Nikkei said, “We have determined that we will have an advantage in putting railguns to practical use.”
Joongang Ilbo | JoongAng Ilbo
https://s.japanese.joins.com/JArticle/286397?sectcode=A00&servcode=A00