The media reported on Tokyo's plans to test a prototype electromagnetic cannon

The Japanese Ministry of Defense intends to test a full-scale prototype of an electromagnetic rail cannon in the near future. This was reported by the Yomiuri newspaper on May 11.

"Such weapons have a long range and accuracy, and can be used to destroy any aerial targets, including hypersonic ones," the publication clarifies.

It is reported that ships with Aegis multi-purpose tracking and guidance systems are supposed to be equipped with such weapons. According to the newspaper, the weapons are being developed in cooperation with France and Germany, and materials from the United States are used to create the prototype.

The principle of operation of a rail gun is to accelerate the projectile along two metal guides using an electromagnetic field without using gunpowder.

In November 2024, the South China Morning Post (SCMP) reported on China's development of a powerful microwave weapon that looks like the Death Star superlaser from the Star Wars movie. According to the SCMP, the complex has been successfully tested.