KP-SAM Chiron 신궁 휴대용 지대공 미사일 | |
---|---|
Type | Manportable surface-to-air missile (MANPADS) |
Place of origin | South Korea |
Service history | |
In service | 2005–Current |
Used by | See Operators |
Production history | |
Designer | Agency for Defense Development |
Designed | 1995 |
Manufacturer | LIG Nex1 |
Unit cost | 2.6 million EUR in 2023 [1] |
Produced | 2003–Current |
Specifications | |
Mass | 24.3 kg (Launcher) |
Length | 1.68 m |
Diameter | 80 mm |
Crew | 2 (If based from a tripod), 1 (If held) |
Warhead weight | 2.5 kg |
Engine | Solid fuel rocket |
Operational range | 7 km |
Maximum speed | Mach 2.1 |
Guidance system | Infrared homing |
The KP-SAM Chiron[note 1] (Korean Portable-Surface to Air Missile; Korean: 신궁; Hanja: 新弓; RR: Shin-gung) is a South Korean shoulder-launched surface-to-air missile manufactured by LIG Nex1.[2]
The KP-SAM Chiron was created to protect ROK troops in the forward area, which started in 1995 under the direction of LIG Nex1.[3] In late 2003, the delivery of the Igla SAMs from Russia in payment for Russian debts to Korea appear to have solved the problem momentarily.[4] The KP-SAM began production in 2004 with extended trials in early 2005.[3]
In late 2005, the KP-SAM entered service with the South Korean Army, after being in development for nearly 8 years.[4] The South Korean Army has ordered some 2000 units to be delivered in the near future.[4]
In 2011, the KP-SAM was proposed to the Indian military for potential export.[2] It was being marketed in 2012 for India's modernization of their VSHORAD system, competing with the RBS 70, the Starstreak, the Mistral-2 and the SA-24.[5]
In November 2012, Peru announced that they will purchase the Chiron alongside 108 missiles and three TPS-830KE radar under a $USD 43 million defense contract.[6] However, the deal was called off in May 2013 over problems on paying for the contract.[6]
In 2014, Indonesia bought the KP-SAM for integration with the Skyshield 35 mm anti-aircraft system.[7] It was previously shown at the Indo Defence 2014 exhibition.[8]
In 2021 it is reported that failure rate of the KP-SAM was at 24% due to aging inventory that has been improperly stored along lacking proficiency with the system by its operators.[9]
While the missile system externally resembles a French Mistral system, the entire missile system including the seeker, control section, warhead and motor were developed and manufactured in South Korea.[3][4] The missile features integrated IFF systems, night and adverse weather capabilities, a two-colour (IR/UV) infrared seeker to aid in negating infrared countermeasures (IRCM) and a proximity-fuse warhead. During development tests the missile scored a 90% hit ratio.
According to Agency for Defense Development officials, the missile is superior to the American FIM-92 Stinger or the French Mistral in hit probability, price and portability.[10] It had been involved in a missile test where the Shingung's missile made impact on a low-flying target as high as 3.5 kilometers with a speed of 697.5 m/s (more than Mach 2.36)[11] and a distance range of 7 km.[2]