Japan has taken a major step toward fielding directed-energy weapons, moving ahead with sea-based trials of its new 100-kilowatt-class high-energy laser system installed aboard the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force’s (JMSDF) test vessel Asuka. The laser, developed by the Acquisition, Technology & Logistics Agency (ATLA), is now being prepared for maritime evaluation at Japan Marine United’s (JMU) shipyard.
The installation marks a milestone in Japan’s decade-long push to develop homegrown laser defense systems capable of countering fast, low-cost airborne threats. ATLA officials confirmed in a recent technical briefing that the weapon successfully destroyed mortar rounds and unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) during ground testing earlier this year—performance results that paved the way for its integration onto a naval platform.
The new laser weapon, housed in two 40-foot, container-sized modules, features a domestically produced fiber-laser architecture. According to ATLA, ten 10kW-class fiber lasers are fused into a single beam exceeding 100kW, a power level considered critical for rapidly burning through hard targets such as metal casings or drone airframes.
The system’s compact footprint includes beam-control optics, a cooling system, and a dedicated power unit. JMU shipyard photos show the distinctive dome-shaped beam director mounted on Asuka’s aft deck, connected to fast-steering mirrors, thermal imaging cameras, and precision tracking sensors. This suite is designed to hold a stable lock on fast-moving airborne targets even under the ship’s constant motion at sea.
ATLA engineers say transitioning from earlier chemical-laser prototypes to fiber-laser technology allowed Japan to achieve safer operation, easier maintenance, and greater scalability. Japan first revealed its 100kW laser in February 2023, highlighting it as the culmination of multiple prototype generations, including earlier 50kW-class demonstrators.
One of the laser’s key operational advantages is its “unlimited magazine depth”—limited only by electrical power availability. With no conventional ammunition or interceptors consumed, ATLA stresses that the cost-per-engagement is dramatically lower than with conventional anti-drone or counter-mortar systems.
“Provided sufficient power, the system can continue to engage targets without running out of ammunition,” ATLA stated. Officials compared each firing to the cost of electricity usage, making the weapon particularly attractive for defeating swarming drone attacks or repeated low-cost projectile launches.
This cost-efficiency has become a global priority as militaries face growing volumes of inexpensive unmanned systems on the battlefield. Japan’s move follows parallel directed-energy weapons programs underway in the U.S., Israel, South Korea, and Europe.
The upcoming rounds of sea trials aboard Asuka will examine how well the laser performs against flying targets under real maritime conditions—factors such as atmospheric moisture, sea spray, ship roll, and thermal distortion can significantly impact laser propagation and accuracy.
Engineers will test the system’s ability to detect, lock onto, and destroy drones and similar threats at varying distances and altitudes while the ship is underway. These trials will help validate how effectively the weapon can function as part of a layered naval defense suite.
Japan plans to expand testing in 2026 to include interception of high-speed projectiles, further pushing the system toward counter-rocket, artillery, and mortar (C-RAM) roles.
According to ATLA’s roadmap, the current test program is the foundation for long-term ambitions to integrate laser weapons into Japan’s future missile-defense architecture. However, officials caution that missile-defense applications remain several years away, requiring substantially higher power levels, advanced beam control, and sophisticated integration with naval combat systems.
For now, the focus remains on perfecting the laser’s near-term mission: neutralizing drones, UAV swarms, and mortar rounds—threats that are increasingly shaping modern conflict.
With Asuka preparing to leave the dock for its first live evaluations, Japan’s directed-energy program is entering its most critical stage yet, signaling the country’s intent to join the small but growing club of nations fielding operational high-energy laser weapons at sea.
