♦ Japan successfully executed the world's first electromagnetic railgun fire test from a JMSDF ship.

♦ This test was conducted in coordination with the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF) and the Acquisition Technology & Logistics Agency (ATLA), a division of the Japanese Ministry of Defense. 

♦ Earlier this year, the JMSDF signed a contract worth 10.8 million yen for the temporary installation of railguns on ships, signifying an important step forward in ATLA's "future railgun research."