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ASM-3
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)
Maximum speed Mach 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

This section needs to be updated. Please help update this article to reflect recent events or newly available information. (July 2023)

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

See also

Related development

Related lists

Comparable missiles

References

  1. ^ a b c d "Japan to Test its New XASM-3 Supersonic Anti-Ship Missile Against Shirane-class Destroyer". Navy Recognition. 16 November 2015. Archived from the original on 26 November 2023.
  2. ^ "Japan May Have Tested its New XASM-3 Supersonic Anti-Ship Missile for the First Time". Navy Recognition. 4 March 2017. Archived from the original on 5 March 2017.
  3. ^ Yeo, Mike (9 March 2017). "Japan denies reports it test-fired XASM-3 missile". Defense News. Archived from the original on 28 January 2018.
  4. ^ "Japan to Produce and Procure XASM-3 Supersonic Anti-Ship Missile in 2018". Navy Recognition. 19 July 2017. Archived from the original on 19 July 2017.
  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". The Japan Times. 18 March 2019. Archived from the original on 19 March 2019.
  7. ^ "Japan To Extend Range Of ASM-3 Anti-Ship Missile". Aviation Week. 20 March 2019. Archived from the original on 28 September 2021.
  8. ^ Takahashi, Kosuke (20 March 2019). "Japan to develop long-range air-to-surface cruise missiles". Janes. Archived from the original on 5 January 2024. Retrieved 5 January 2024.
  9. ^ "Defense Programs and Budget of Japan – Overview of FY2022 Budget" (PDF). Ministry of Defense (Japan). 16 December 2019. p. 15. Archived (PDF) from the original on 29 April 2022.
  10. ^ "Policy evaluation overview for ASM-3" (PDF). Ministry of Defense (Japan) (in Japanese). 4 September 2019. Archived from the original (PDF) on 29 September 2020.
  11. ^ Inaba, Yoshihiro (30 December 2020). "Japan to Field New ASM-3A Long Range Supersonic Anti-Ship Missile". Naval News. Archived from the original on 30 December 2020. Retrieved 5 January 2024.
  12. ^ Takahashi, Kosuke (4 January 2021). "Japan to begin mass production of new ASM-3A supersonic anti-ship missile". Janes. Archived from the original on 5 January 2021. Retrieved 5 January 2024.
  13. ^ "Japan plans to develop home-made long-range anti-ship missile to counter threat". The Japan Times. 23 March 2019. Archived from the original on 23 March 2019. Retrieved 24 March 2019.
  14. ^ "Japan announces longer-range cruise missile development". The Mainichi. 19 March 2019. Archived from the original on 24 March 2019. Retrieved 24 March 2019.

External links

Wikimedia Commons has media related to JASDF ASM-3.

Japan Self-Defense Forces missiles
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