Engineering:Hyper Velocity Gliding Projectile
Hyper Velocity Gliding Projectile (HVGP) (島嶼防衛用高速滑空弾, Tōsyobōeiyō-kōsoku-kakkūdan) is a Japanese hypersonic glide vehicle being intended to be used as a hypersonic weapon.[1][2] This is effectively Japan’s first de-facto ballistic missile.[3] While it is officially labeled as a missile for island defense, it is also considered to have potential enemy base attack capabilities.[4][5] In 2026, the Block 1 variant, with a range of several hundred kilometers, was designated the Type 25 HVGP and deployed for the first time,[6] while the Block 2 variant, with a range of 2,000 kilometers, is scheduled to begin deployment in the 2030s.[7]
Design and capabilities
The HVGP is designed as a standoff missile capable of attacking enemy forces and bases from outside the enemy weapon engagement zone.[4][8] The development of the HVGP is based on an incremental approach, with Block 1 being developed as an early version based on existing technology, followed by the development of a performance-enhancing Block 2.[8][9] Both of them are designed for launch using a solid rocket booster, with the projectile separating from it at a high altitude and then gliding at hypersonic speeds until impact.[2][10] In Block 2, glide performance will be further improved by introducing waverider technology.[8]
Projectile guidance would be primarily provided by satellite navigation, with inertial navigation system as a backup.[10] Radio-frequency imaging and infrared homing would also be used for guidance when engaging moving targets.[10] Special armour-piercing ammunitions, capable of penetrating the deck of aircraft carriers, are used to attack ships, and high-density explosively formed projectiles (EFPs), capable of area suppression, are used to attack ground targets.[10]
Block 1 is expected to be a short-range ballistic missile with an estimated range of 300–500 km (160–270 nmi).[3][8] Block 2, on the other hand, is planned to be a medium-range ballistic missile with a range of 2,000–3,000 km (1,100–1,600 nmi).[3][11][12]
Deployment
The plan is to complete the development of Block 1 by FY2025 and begin deployment in FY2026, and to begin deployment of Block 2 in the 2030s, deploying two battalions in the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force.[9][11] These batteries are being considered for deployment in Hokkaido and Kyushu.[7]
The development of a submarine-launched version is under consideration, reportedly.[13]
On 31 March 2026, the Block 1 variant, with a range of several hundred kilometers, was designated the Type 25 HVGP and deployed for the first time.[6]
See also
- Japan and weapons of mass destruction
References
Citations
- ↑ Joint Systems Development Division, https://www.mod.go.jp/atla/en/soubi_system.html, retrieved December 17, 2022
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 Dominguez 2022.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 内閣府 (March 2023), シンクタンク機能の試行事業の成果物 資料6 広範囲調査分析, p. 240, https://www8.cao.go.jp/cstp/stmain/pdf/20230314thinktank/seikabutsu/shiryou6-1-02.pdf
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 高橋浩祐 (March 2023), "日本の極超音速巡航ミサイルの模型が公開（動画付き）", Yahoo!ニュース, https://news.yahoo.co.jp/expert/articles/e70854cb5afa2894d742c0d9caca2b0a51755ac4
- ↑ https://www.navalnews.com/naval-news/2024/07/video-japan-tests-hyper-velocity-gliding-projectile-hvgp/
- ↑ 6.0 6.1 "Japan’s 'counterstrike capability' takes shape with missile deployments". https://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2026/03/31/japan/japan-sdf-missiles-counterstrike/.
- ↑ 7.0 7.1 "防衛省「高速滑空弾」部隊新設へ 九州と北海道に配備を検討", NHK News, December 10, 2022, https://www3.nhk.or.jp/news/html/20221210/k10013918951000.html
- ↑ 8.0 8.1 8.2 8.3 Fuse 2020, pp. 216–217.
- ↑ 9.0 9.1 Ministry of Defense (December 2022), 防衛力整備計画, https://www.mod.go.jp/j/approach/agenda/guideline/plan/pdf/plan.pdf
- ↑ 10.0 10.1 10.2 10.3 Yeo 2020.
- ↑ 11.0 11.1 Matsuyama 2022.
- ↑ https://news.usni.org/2025/11/17/japanese-forces-test-deployment-of-hypersonic-missile-system
- ↑ "「反撃能力」保有へ、長射程ミサイル同時開発を検討…極超音速など１０種類以上", Yomiuri Shimbun, December 1, 2022, https://www.yomiuri.co.jp/politics/20221130-OYT1T50278/
General and cited references
- Dominguez, Gabriel (July 26, 2022), "Japan advances hypersonics research with combustion flight test", The Japan Times, https://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2022/07/26/national/japan-hypersonic-missiles-china-jaxa/
- Fuse, Satoshi (2020), 先端技術と米中戦略戦争－宇宙、AI、極超音速兵器が変える戦い方, Shuwa System Co., Ltd, ISBN 978-4798062242
- Matsuyama, Naoki (December 27, 2022), (in ja)Asahi Shimbun, https://www.asahi.com/articles/ASQDW5QBXQDVUTFK00B.html, retrieved December 27, 2022
- Yeo, Mike (March 14, 2020), "Japan unveils its hypersonic weapons plans", Defense News, https://www.defensenews.com/industry/techwatch/2020/03/13/japan-unveils-its-hypersonic-weapons-plans/
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