On 2 December 2025, a containerized prototype high-energy laser system was confirmed to be installed on the aft deck of JS Asuka, the test ship operated by the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF).
Japan’s Ministry of Defense (MoD) has been advancing the development of high-energy laser systems under the leadership of the Acquisition, Technology & Logistics Agency (ATLA) as a low-cost interceptor compared with existing air-defense systems. The ongoing research and development programs for laser systems are broadly divided into two categories: a vehicle-mounted high-mobility laser system and a larger, high-output laser system.
The vehicle-mounted laser system has been under development from FY2021 to FY2024, integrating all necessary subsystems into a single heavy truck equipped with a 10-kW-class laser primarily intended for counter-small-UAV operations. Mitsubishi Heavy Industries (MHI) secured the manufacturing contract, and the truck-mounted demonstrator was completed and delivered in October 2024. The actual vehicle was unveiled at DSEI Japan in May 2025. Based on the results of this program, efforts are currently underway within the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force (JGSDF) to field an operational laser system.
The second type, the high-energy “Electric-Drive High-Power Laser System,” has been under development from FY2018 through FY2025. This program aims to combine domestically produced 10-kW-class fiber lasers to achieve a 100-kW-class system. Unlike the vehicle-mounted system—which consolidates all functions into a single truck—this system consists of two 40-ft containers. Kawasaki Heavy Industries (KHI) won the production contract, and the prototype system was completed and delivered in February 2023. Testing has already included destruction trials against small unmanned aerial vehicles and mortar rounds.
The system now observed aboard JS Asuka is this electric-drive high-power laser system, identifiable by its 40-ft containerized configuration on deck. Its purpose is to assess feasibility for a future high-energy laser weapon capable of countering missiles. Key evaluation items include destructive effects against small UAVs and mortar rounds, continuous engagement capability, target acquisition and precision-tracking performance, integration with target-search sensors, and operational performance under various environmental conditions.
Furthermore, on 3 December 2025, ATLA issued a solicitation for the operation of target drones to be used in at-sea firing trials. This indicates that the installation aboard JS Asuka may not be limited to fit checks alone, but could also include live-fire testing. As FY2025 is the final year of R&D for this system, it is highly likely that live-fire trials— including precision engagement of targets under harsh maritime conditions where ship motion is significant—will be conducted with the system installed on a vessel.
Looking ahead, the JMSDF aims to field ship-mounted laser systems capable of countering unmanned aerial vehicles and anti-ship missiles. The current tests are expected to provide critical data toward that goal. At present, system size remains a major challenge, primarily due to the bulkiness of the power supply and energy-storage components. In general, the energy-conversion efficiency of high-energy lasers is roughly 30%, meaning that a 100-kW-class laser requires at least 300-kW of electrical power. Future efforts must focus on miniaturization—potentially through the use of commercial technologies—to enable installation aboard naval platforms.
Furthermore, beginning in FY2025, ATLA launched a new research program aimed at applying the outcome of the electric-drive high-power laser system to the development of a shipboard laser weapon for the JMSDF. This effort, titled “Research on a Shipboard Laser System,” is intended to neutralize small unmanned aerial vehicles and one-way attack drones approaching naval vessels. ATLA has outlined the following objectives to be achieved under this program:
1. Acquisition of Laser Engagement Control System Technology:
Establish technologies required for laser systems intended for use aboard naval vessels, including:
- Technologies for identifying targets and precisely directing laser energy based on air-search radar data and other sensor inputs against multiple simultaneous targets.
- Technologies for transferring targets between multiple beam directors to cover full 360-degree engagement sectors.
- Technologies for directing the beam director toward the zenith.
- Automated battle-damage assessment technology to evaluate the effects of laser engagement on the irradiated target.
2. Achievement of Shipboard Compatibility:
Establish technologies required for installation and operation aboard naval vessels, including:
- Technologies ensuring environmental robustness against ship motion, sea spray, and other maritime conditions.
- Technologies enabling installation on both newly constructed vessels and existing JMSDF vessels.
The research prototypes will be developed from FY2025 through the middle of FY2029, with operational demonstration trials scheduled from FY2027 through FY2030.
Video by AGC ハッチ (X user @agcdetk):
