AAM-1 (Japanese missile)
The Mitsubishi AAM-1 was a Japanese infrared homing air-to-air missile developed from the AIM-9B Sidewinder missile.
| AAM-1 | |
|---|---|
 AAM-1 model | |
| Type | Short-range, infrared homing air-to-air missile |
| Place of origin | Japan |
| Service history | |
| In service | 1969-1986 |
| Used by | Japan |
| Production history | |
| Manufacturer | Mitsubishi Heavy Industries |
| Unit cost | • ¥3,000,000 (1968) • ¥4,190,000 (1969) |
| Produced | 1969 |
| No. built | around 400 |
| Specifications | |
| Mass | 80 kg (180 lb) |
| Length | 2.5 m (8 ft 2 in) |
| Diameter | 15 cm (6 in) |
Operational range | 5 km (3 mi) |
| Maximum speed | 1.7 Mach |
Guidance system | infrared homing |
Launch platform | Aircraft: |
Operational history
Starting in 1969, the AAM-1 was produced by Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, with around 400 produced in total. It served as the standard armament for Japan Air Self-Defense Force F-104J while used on North American F-86F and Mitsubishi F-1. Being slightly shorter and lighter compared to the AIM-9E Sidewinder, the AAM-1 had inferior performances compared to the American missile which was entering service in Japan. The unit cost of an AIM-9B purchased through Foreign Military Sales was about 1 million yen, while that of AAM-1 was about 3.5 million yen in 1968 and about 4.19 million yen in 1969. Due to higher cost and inferior characteristics, the procurement of the AAM-1 was halted in 1972 with the last examples withdrawn for service in 1986.[1]
