Japan’s Technology and Logistics Agency (ATLA) together with the US Navy began the development of a combat rail gun. This innovative weapon, known as a raycotron, uses electromagnetic forces to propel projectiles at high speeds. This is reported by the Aviation Week portal, transmits ArmyInform.
Japan is interested in adopting American railgun technology as Tokyo invests heavily in long-range strike systems. The Raycotron, or Railgun, is an electromagnetic mass accelerator that accelerates a conductive projectile along two metal guides using Ampere’s force.
The reikotron has two parallel electrodes that close the electrical circuit, dispersing the electrically conductive mass between the rails. Ampere’s force acting on a closed conductor with a current in its own magnetic field leads to the acceleration of the projectile.
Japan is developing a medium reikotron capable of launching a 0.320 kg projectile with a muzzle velocity of 2,230 m/s (Mach 6.5). The device has an endurance of more than 120 shots and a current charge energy of 5 MJ. Future ambitions include achieving a charge energy of 20 MJ.
Reikotron cannons have a number of advantages: increasing the speed of the projectile reduces the time of combat, expands containment zones and increases the range of action. This helps increase operational efficiency and effectiveness.
History and modern development
ATLA began development of the radar in 2016 and conducted its first fire tests at sea in 2023 using a Naval Self-Defense Force ship. The practical deployment of this weapon is planned as soon as possible.
Strategic importance
Japan is aiming to create next-generation weapons that will be deployed both on naval vessels and on land platforms. This will ensure strategic parity against potential adversaries in the region. The USA is also interested in this cooperation.
Raycotron guns offer a cheaper alternative to traditional gunpowder-based artillery and are also more difficult to intercept. Japan’s self-defense forces believe the technology could be a game-changer in land and sea attacks and missile interception.
Historical context
The first electromagnetic gun was produced in 1916 by the French designers Fauchon and Villeplet. It accelerated a 50-gram projectile to a speed of 200 m/s. The term “reikotron” was proposed in the 1950s by the Soviet academician Lev Artsymovych to replace the cumbersome name “electrodynamic mass accelerator”.
