this post was submitted on 24 Nov 2025
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How Japan’s hypersonic railgun could deter China’s naval ambitions (interestingengineering.com)
submitted 2 days ago by Icytrees@sh.itjust.works to c/wildfeed@sh.itjust.works
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At a time when control of Pacific sea lanes is contested, Japan is positioning its hypersonic electromagnetic railgun development as a strategic centerpiece, aiming to deter Chinese naval threats and shift the regional balance of power.

Tokyo’s latest demonstration, shown by state-run ATLA, displays a prototype railgun firing hypersonic rounds at a moving ship. As the projectile surged forward, the deck shuddered slightly under the silent electromagnetic pulse, while nearby crew members steadied themselves, their expressions a mix of awe and anticipation.

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[–] magnetosphere@fedia.io 4 points 2 days ago (3 children)

Didn’t I recently read a post about the practical limitations of railguns, which concluded that lasers are better?

[–] wizzor@sopuli.xyz 3 points 1 day ago

For hitting drones and artillery shells? Almost certainly lasers win.

For hitting ships? Railguns, if the problems with the rails getting festroyed after a few shots can be fixed. The Japanese claim 200 shots per barrel. Whether that means just the rails or whole barrel is unclear.

[–] Icytrees@sh.itjust.works 5 points 2 days ago (1 children)

Only you can answer that.

[–] Kolanaki@pawb.social 3 points 2 days ago

I can answer it but it has a 50% chance of being wrong.

[–] Manifish_Destiny@lemmy.world 4 points 2 days ago (1 children)

No, that was a dream we shared.

[–] magnetosphere@fedia.io 2 points 2 days ago

Okay, it all makes sense now