Euronaval 2024: Discover France's secret railgun technology on display for first time.

At Euronaval 2024, held at Paris Nord Villepinte, the French Ministry of Armed Forces unveiled a electromagnetic railgun prototype, demonstrating France's commitment to pioneering advancements in naval weaponry. Developed in partnership with the French-German Research Institute of Saint-Louis (ISL), the railgun showcases notable technological progress in high-speed projectile launching capabilities, potentially transforming the future of naval defense systems. This system leverages electrical energy to launch projectiles at exceptionally high velocities, achieving muzzle speeds exceeding 3,000 meters per second.
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France’s latest in defense technology: the electromagnetic railgun, displayed at Euronaval 2024, offers ultra-high-speed projectile launch capabilities and revolutionary long-range artillery potential for future warfare. (Picture source: Army Recognition)

The railgun represents a transformative shift from traditional powder-based artillery, offering a system with extended range, improved safety, and high-impact lethality. Its superior firing velocity—between 2 to 3 km/s depending on the gun's caliber and the mass of the projectile—means it can deliver long-range artillery support over 200 kilometers, target surface threats, and perform advanced anti-air and anti-missile defense. Crucially, this capability addresses the growing need to counter hypersonic threats, allowing for faster response times and reduced flight duration.

The military utility of this electromagnetic railgun lies in its adaptability for multiple combat scenarios. Its precise velocity and firing rate control enable multiple simultaneous impacts, making it ideal for high-intensity battlefield engagements. Notably, the railgun eliminates the risks associated with traditional explosive propellants, enhancing safety during transport and storage.

From a technical standpoint, the electromagnetic railgun’s use of electrical propulsion reduces its vulnerability, omitting the need for gunpowder. This technology also opens up dual-use applications, such as launching microsatellites, conducting material testing, and impact-testing micrometeorites, highlighting its versatility beyond the battlefield.

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France’s railgun prototype aligns with a global trend where multiple nations are advancing electromagnetic railgun technology, albeit with unique objectives and stages of development. The United States was a pioneer in this field, initially investing heavily in railgun research through partnerships with companies like BAE Systems and General Atomics. U.S. prototypes achieved impressive milestones, such as generating over 32 megajoules of energy and theoretical firing ranges exceeding 200 kilometers at speeds around Mach 7. However, high costs, unresolved technical issues like rail erosion, and enormous energy demands led the U.S. Navy to halt the project in 2021, shifting focus to adaptable Hypervelocity Projectiles (HVP) that could be launched from conventional systems. These developments underscored both the potential and limitations of electromagnetic railguns, especially for shipboard applications where power generation and thermal management remain challenging​.

China has emerged as a significant player, actively pursuing railgun capabilities with notable successes. Reports indicate that Chinese prototypes have achieved firing velocities up to Mach 6 and extensive ranges, potentially between 100 and 200 kilometers. Testing on a Type 072III landing ship in 2018 demonstrated China’s focus on making railguns operational for maritime applications, signaling rapid advancements that may soon allow deployment on front-line vessels. China’s drive to integrate this weapon reflects its broader strategy to gain a technological edge in naval warfare and underscores a commitment to overcoming power and durability constraints.

Japan, meanwhile, has made railgun technology a priority for defense against hypersonic threats. Beginning research in 2016, Japan’s Acquisition, Technology & Logistics Agency (ATLA) has pushed for solutions to enhance barrel resilience and power management. Successful shipboard tests conducted in 2023 marked a significant milestone, and Japan’s efforts have been further bolstered by partnerships in Europe. The collaboration aims to leverage European advancements from projects like the PILUM initiative, which focuses on creating long-range, wear-resistant railguns. PILUM, spearheaded by the Franco-German Research Institute of Saint-Louis, targets ranges of up to 200 kilometers, aiming for a full demonstrator by 2028 under the next-phase THEMA project​.