Engineering:ASM-3

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ASM-3
JASDF XASM-3-E left rear view at Gifu Air Base November 19, 2017 01.jpg
XASM-3-E (fixed combustion test model) left rear view at Gifu Air Field
TypeAir-to-surface anti-ship missile
Place of originJapan
Service history
Used byJapan Air Self-Defense Force
Production history
ManufacturerMitsubishi Heavy Industries
Specifications
Mass940 kg (2,070 lb)[1]
Length6 m (20 ft)[1]

EngineIntegral Rocket Ramjet[1]
Operational
range
Original: 150–200 km (81–108 nmi; 93–124 mi)
Improved version: about 400km(ASM-3A)
Extended Range: 400 km (220 nmi; 250 mi)
SpeedMach 3+
Guidance
system
Inertial/GPS, mid-course correction
terminal guidance: Active radar homing/Passive radar guidance
Launch
platform
Mitsubishi F-2

The ASM-3 is a supersonic anti-ship missile being developed by Mitsubishi Heavy Industries to replace the ASM-1 and ASM-2 missiles. The major launch platform is the Mitsubishi F-2. Planned Initial Operational Capability was 2016. The missile will be used by the Japan Air Self-Defense Force. It can attack not only ships, but also ground targets. Since the original model of ASM-3 had a short range of 200 km, it was not deployed immediately, and an improved model was developed from 2017 to 2020, and deployment of ASM-3A with a range of about 300~400 km started in 2021. In the future, it may also have a range of 400 km or more.

In November 2015, Japan's Ministry of Defense announced it would conduct a live-fire experiment of the XASM-3 in 2016, targeting the decommissioned ship JDS Shirane.[1] In February 2017, an F-2 carried out a jettison test of the missile as a precursor to a live firing.[2][3] Mass production was planned to begin in 2018 but stopped due to the further upgrade program that has been planned.[4] Footage of a test launch was released in August 2017.[5]

Improvement program

Despite its development being completed in 2017, the missile was not deployed because its range (200 km (110 nmi; 120 mi)) was deemed too short to effectively counter the Chinese Navy's long range air-defense.[citation needed] In March 2019, it was reported that the ASM-3 would have its range extended to 400 km (220 nmi; 250 mi) or more.[6][7][8]

In December 2019, the Japanese Defense Ministry secured ¥10.3 billion to upgrade the missile in its 2020 budget.[9] In December 2020, Japan MoD announced the ASM-3A, a variant of the ASM-3 with extended range,[10] and an intention to mass-produce it with the 2021 defense budget. Another upgraded version of the ASM-3, the ASM-3 (Kai), is also under development.[11][12]

The ASM-3 may be used by the F-2's successor once the aircraft retires in the 2030s.[13][14]

Variants

  • ASM-3A - Extended range version of ASM-3.
  • ASM-3 Kai (Japanese: ) - Improved version of ASM-3A.

See also

  • Missile designation

Related development

Related lists

Comparable missiles

References

  1. 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 "Japan to Test its New XASM-3 Supersonic Anti-Ship Missile Against Shirane-class Destroyer". 16 November 2015. http://www.navyrecognition.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=3241. 
  2. "Japan May Have Tested its New XASM-3 Supersonic Anti-Ship Missile for the First Time". 4 March 2017. http://www.navyrecognition.com/index.php/news/defence-news/2017/march-2017-navy-naval-forces-defense-industry-technology-maritime-security-global-news/4954-japan-may-have-tested-its-new-xasm-3-supersonic-anti-ship-missile-for-the-first-time.html. 
  3. Yeo, Mike (9 March 2017). "Japan denies reports it test-fired XASM-3 missile". https://www.defensenews.com/air/2017/03/09/japan-denies-reports-it-test-fired-xasm-3-missile/. 
  4. "Japan to Produce and Procure XASM-3 Supersonic Anti-Ship Missile in 2018". 19 July 2017. http://navyrecognition.com/index.php/news/defence-news/2017/july-2017-navy-naval-forces-defense-industry-technology-maritime-security-global-news/5405-japan-to-produce-and-procure-xasm-3-supersonic-anti-ship-missile-in-2018.html. 
  5. Video: Japan's XASM-3 Supersonic Anti-Ship Missile Test Launch - Navyrecognition.com, 2 August 2017
  6. "Japan to develop long-range, air-to-ship cruise missiles". 18 March 2019. https://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2019/03/18/national/politics-diplomacy/japan-develop-air-ship-long-range-cruise-missiles/#.XJWegndFzIU. 
  7. "Japan To Extend Range Of ASM-3 Anti-Ship Missile". 20 March 2019. https://aviationweek.com/defense-space/japan-extend-range-asm-3-anti-ship-missile. 
  8. Takahashi, Kosuke (20 March 2019). "Japan to develop long-range air-to-surface cruise missiles". https://www.janes.com/defence-news/news-detail/japan-to-develop-long-range-air-to-surface-cruise-missiles. 
  9. "Defense Programs and Budget of Japan – Overview of FY2022 Budget". 16 December 2019. p. 15. https://www.mod.go.jp/en/d_act/d_budget/pdf/20220420.pdf. 
  10. "Policy evaluation overview for ASM-3" (in Japanese). 4 September 2019. https://www.mod.go.jp/j/approach/hyouka/seisaku/31/pdf/jizen_03_honbun.pdf. 
  11. Inaba, Yoshihiro (30 December 2020). "Japan to Field New ASM-3A Long Range Supersonic Anti-Ship Missile". https://www.navalnews.com/naval-news/2020/12/japan-to-field-new-asm-3a-long-range-supersonic-anti-ship-missile/. 
  12. Takahashi, Kosuke (4 January 2021). "Japan to begin mass production of new ASM-3A supersonic anti-ship missile". https://www.janes.com/defence-news/news-detail/japan-to-begin-mass-production-of-new-asm-3a-supersonic-anti-ship-missile. 
  13. "Japan plans to develop home-made long-range anti-ship missile to counter threat". 23 March 2019. https://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2019/03/24/national/japan-plans-develop-home-made-long-range-anti-ship-missile-counter-threat/#.XJeUcyhKhPY. 
  14. "Japan announces longer-range cruise missile development". 19 March 2019. https://mainichi.jp/english/articles/20190319/p2g/00m/0fp/064000c. 

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