ASM-3
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.
| ASM-3 | |
|---|---|
 XASM-3-E (fixed combustion test model) left rear view at Gifu Air Field | |
| Type | Air-to-surface anti-ship missile |
| Place of origin | Japan |
| Service history | |
| Used by | Japan Air Self-Defense Force |
| Production history | |
| Manufacturer | Mitsubishi Heavy Industries |
| Specifications | |
| Mass | 940 kg (2,070 lb) |
| Length | 6 m (20 ft) |
| Engine | Integral Rocket Ramjet |
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) |
| Maximum speed | Mach 3+ |
Guidance system | Inertial/GPS, mid-course correction terminal guidance: Active radar homing/Passive radar guidance |
Launch platform | Mitsubishi F-2 |
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. 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. 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]
The ASM-3 may be used by the F-2's successor once the aircraft retires in the 2030s.[12][13]
Variants
- ASM-3A - Extended range version of ASM-3.
- ASM-3 Kai (Japanese: 改) - Improved version of ASM-3A.
See also
Related development
Related lists
- Type 80 Air-to-Ship Missile
- Type 88 Surface-to-Ship Missile
- Type 90 Ship-to-Ship Missile
- Type 93 Air-to-Ship Missile
Comparable missiles
- Kh-31
- Kh-41
- Kh-61
- YJ-91
- YJ-12
- Hsiung Feng III
- ANS (anti navire supersonique, cancelled French project)
References
- Japan May Have Tested its New XASM-3 Supersonic Anti-Ship Missile for the First Time - Navyrecognition.com, 4 March 2017
- Japan denies reports it test-fired XASM-3 missile - Defensenews.com, 9 March 2017
- Japan to Produce and Procure XASM-3 Supersonic Anti-Ship Missile in 2018 - Navyrecognition.com, 19 July 2017
- Video: Japan's XASM-3 Supersonic Anti-Ship Missile Test Launch - Navyrecognition.com, 2 August 2017
- Japan to develop long-range, air-to-ship cruise missiles. The Japan Times. 18 March 2019.
- "Japan to Extend Range of ASM-3 Anti-Ship Missile | Aviation Week Network".
- "Janes | Latest defence and security news".
- Defence Programs and Budget of Japan 2020(Japanese), page.15 -, Ministry of Defense (Japan), 16 December 2019
- Policy evaluation overview for ASM-3 (改)(Japanese) -, Ministry of Defense (Japan), 4 September 2019
- About the selection result of new important equipment etc, page. 6(Japanese) -, Ministry of Defense (Japan), 25 December 2020
- "Japan plans to develop home-made long-range anti-ship missile to counter threat". The Japan Times. 24 March 2019. Retrieved 24 March 2019.
- "Japan announces longer-range cruise missile development". The Mainichi. 19 March 2019. Archived from the original on 24 March 2019. Retrieved 24 March 2019.