Network-centric warfare (or whatever the current term of art is or will be) sees its future with the Japanese navy.
Japan successfully targeted a surface vessel with a ship-mounted energy-hungry railgun:
According to ATLA, the railgun, mounted on the JMSDF’s test ship Asuka, successfully carried out long-range firings and the shooting at a target ship during the trials. The tests of the gun were conducted with the cooperation of the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF).
The photos show the moment of the target ship being aimed at, as well as that of the railgun firing, using the Asuka. The fire control system is also visible next to the railgun. ATLA said details of the tests will be reported at its “ATLA Technological Symposium 2025” to be held on November 11-12 in Tokyo.
No word if the target was hit. But crawl, walk, run to Distributed Maritime Operations, eh?
Extrapolate that into the future as I did (checks calendar) twenty years ago:
When guns have range that rivals effective aircraft range, the carrier risks being supplanted by guns in a revenge of the lanyards that reverses the demotion gun-armed ships experienced when carriers took the place of honor in World War II.
And would we need nearly as many expensive anti-ship or air defense missiles?
NOTE: TDR Winter War of 2022 coverage continues here.
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NOTE: ATLA picture from the article.
