Outline

The Ground System Research Center conducts research on fire arms, ammunition, ballistic and blast-resist structures, vehicles, vehicular equipment, engineer equipment, personal equipment, CBRN defense technology, etc.

CBRN：Chemical, Biological, Radiological, Nuclear

Welcome to GROUND SYSTEM RESEARCH CENTER（click the link to the ATLA Official Channel on YouTube）

GROUND SYSTEM RESEARCH CENTER brochure (2025) (PDF)

Research, Test and Evaluation on Fire Arm Systems, Ammunition Systems and Combat Vehicle Systems, and Research on radiological, chemical, biological defense technology, etc.

Research on fire arms, ammunition, warheads, ballistic and blast resistant structure, survivability analysis, etc.

Research on performance of vehicular subsystems and engineer equipment such as suspension, transmission, engine and land mine detector.

This is the research on railgun how guns’ capability can be upgraded by using electric energy. For instance, electromagnetic railguns accelerate and launch projectiles in extremely high muzzle velocity compared with conventional guns using gun power energy. As a result, the railguns enable to realize higher impact and longer ranges.

This research aims to develop a system that radiates intense EMP towards the target. The system can neutralize enemy’s electric devices, such as sensors and information systems, temporarily or permanently. In order to meet various needs from users, we are installing the EMP system on buoys on the ocean, as well as other platforms such as, missiles, bombs, artillery rounds, UAVs, USVs, and UGVs.

This research is dealt with the expertise on high shock resistance warhead that penetrates concrete walls, etc. The study aims to establish three leading technologies, specifically.

This research aims to establish autonomous navigation technology in rough terrains and simultaneous operational technology for multiple UGVs required for combat UGVs. After making a simulator and UGVs in this research, we conduct both simulation tests in virtual environment and validation tests in real environment.

UGV：Unmanned Ground Vehicle

In order for UGVs to drive remotely or autonomously, it is necessary to accurately determine information such as the position of UGVs, the surrounding terrain and the location of obstacles. For this reason, we are conducting research on Bird’s-eye view technology around the vehicle and 3D mapping technology using sensors such as cameras and LiDAR mounted on UGVs. Additionally, we are reflecting these results in the tracked vehicles of the Self-Defense Forces and conducting demonstration tests.

This study is relevant to chemical protective attire for use in reconnaissance and decontamination missions in high-threat CB-contaminated environments. The objective is to achieve both enhanceed CB protective capabilities and reduced physiological burden by applying high-performance materials and by designing as a protective equipment system.

CB：Chemical, Biological

The purpose of IM is to minimize the probability of inadvertent initiation and the severity of subsequent collateral damage through ammunition’s lifecycle.
　This study adopts two mechanical ways to achieve IM. One way is to examine a vent structure that reduces pressure when energetic materials have acted under fire or some other high temperature situations. The other way is to examine a liner structure that reduces an impact for energetic materials against the collision impact such as bullets or fragments.

IM：Insensitive Munition

This is the research on the technology that enables to detect landmines safely and effectively from the air. Currently, the mission of landmine detection is extremely dangerous that the personnel in charge have to enter minefield by relying on handheld landmine detectors in circumstances, which hidden enemy soldiers could fire at any moment. As a consequence, the purpose of this research is to establish the sensor technology that realizes remote landmine detection to obtain information about minefields.

UAV：Unmanned Aerial Vehicle

This research is undergone specifically on hybrid technology called Parallel-Hybrid propulsion technology that targets wheeled vehicles. The main research objectives are to enable silent mobility/watch and to improve power supply performance for inside/outside the vehicle. The research is being undertaken between Japan and U.S. as a co-operative research project.

Parallel-Hybrid System：Hybrid system driven by both engine and electric motor

This is the research on land support equipment used for the pre-deployment of troops to deal with the situation of landing invasion at island areas, etc. Moreover, the equipment is also used for subsequent landing of follow-up troops after amphibious operations. The research objective is to establish both analysis and evaluation technology for piers connected to multiple floating structures.

This research demonstrates how to improve mobility evaluation on rough terrains. Given to be used for vehicle research development, such as amphibious vehicle and others, each soil characteristics parameter is determined for waterfront areas (sand beaches) and land areas. Based on the established parameters, we bring forward the study by using Littoral Environment Vehicle Simulator(LEVS).

Fire power and protection of combat vehicles are tested and evaluated by firing test, ballistic/blast-resistant tests, etc.

Mobility of combat vehicles is tested and evaluated by acceleration test, maximum speed test, hill climbing test, etc.