Japan’s SAM Tree Needs Real Progress, Not Copy-Paste

[BadGirl7090-live]

With the Leviathans major update, many nations received new and powerful SAM systems such as the IRIS-T and Spyder. However, Japan only received a “new” Type 81 setup – which is basically a copy of what we already had, just reorganized into the new multi-vehicle SAM mechanic (radar + launchers).

This feels very underwhelming compared to the progress of other nations. The Type 81 has several limitations in range and guidance, and simply duplicating it doesn’t reflect Japan’s real-world capabilities. Japan has many other options that could have been added instead of recycling an old vehicle.

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Here is a realistic candidate: Type 03 Chu-SAM ( 03式中距離地対空誘導弾)

Here are texts and photos explaining how this system works:

Type 03 Chu-SAM

The Chu-SAM launch vehicle is based on a Japanese 8x8 truck and carries six missiles ready to launch. In the firing position jacks are lowered and the missiles are raised into vertical position.

A modern Japanese SAM comparable to the IRIS-T system. It offers far superior range, mobility, and electronics compared to the outdated Type 81.

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Chu-SAM Radar Vehicle

The Chu-SAM radar vehicle is based on a Japanese 8x8 truck. In the firing position four jacks are lowered and the active phased array radar is elevated.

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Missile being launched

This is the missile fired by the Chu-SAM. The launch vehicle is followed by two Chu-SAM command centers

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Chu-SAM command center

The Chu-SAM command centers are based on two 4x4 Toyota Mega Cruiser vehicles. Both have a cabin in which radar data is analyzed and missile launch is controlled.

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Chu-SAM transloader vehicle

The Chu-SAM transloader vehicle is based on a Japanese 8x8 truck and carries four missiles and a crane. The missiles cannot be launched from this vehicles. When the crane is operated four outriggers are used.

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Chu-SAM generator vehicle

The Chu-SAM generator vehicle is based on a Japanese 8x8 truck and has four reels with power lines at the rear. The generator provides power for prolonged continuous operation.

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Chu-SAM missile

The Chu-SAM missile comes in only one version. It has a conventional layout with the seeker in the nose, followed by four steerable wings at the front, the warhead, the solid propellant engine, four large steerable wings at the rear and a thrust vectoring nozzle.

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Detailed view on forward control vanes.

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Detailed view on rear control vanes.

Source: Type 03 Chu-SAM | Weaponsystems.net

Copyright: copyright lies with original owner

[Just_Baron]

I really want this lol

[BadGirl7090-live]

[skultew1234]

@BadGirl7090-live

With the Leviathans major update, many nations received new and powerful SAM systems such as the IRIS-T and Spyder. However, Japan only received a “new” Type 81 setup – which is basically a copy of what we already had, just reorganized into the new multi-vehicle SAM mechanic (radar + launchers).

If we don’t look on bias and too early came IRIS-T SLM, Tan-SAM Kai in perspective is one of the best SAM between other systems in current update.

But it is in “perspective”. Issue is not that it is copypaste, no, but in realization of vehicle and its mechanic. It is worst SAM in update thanks to problems with it and tons of not added features. IRL it has many of them like LOAL launch via launcher only (no datalink but thanks to INS it is going to the target so very effective against helis), no “trajectory flight via INS when launcher can’t launch missile directly to the target”, incorrect realization of TV seeker aka copypaste of Strela 10 which thanks to ingame seeker FoV is even worse than Strela 10 seeker. Also it looks like time of battery work is too low

So all this problems doesn’t let operate Tan-SAM Kai as good SAM in game and it is not issue of “copy-paste”.

@BadGirl7090-live

The Type 81 has several limitations in range and guidance, and simply duplicating it doesn’t reflect Japan’s real-world capabilities.

Current realization of Tan-SAM Kai already doesn’t reflect real-world capabilities.

What is more funny is that historically Tan-SAM Kai was born at the same time as Tunguska-M and Flarakrad. I think all Japan mains players who were suffering on Type 93 (with missing main features) at that time and were getting answers like “It is problem of Japaness engineers that they couldn’t create normale SAM lol” by some players are crying listening it

@BadGirl7090-live

A modern Japanese SAM comparable to the IRIS-T system

As it was said SLM looks too bias for this update and all of that “big SAMs” should appear for all possible nations at the same time.

@BadGirl7090-live

The Chu-SAM transloader vehicle is based on a Japanese 8x8 truck and carries four missiles and a crane

It takes 6 missiles IRL and loading 2 missiles per one process

@BadGirl7090-live

a thrust vectoring nozzle.

No, it is not so. Chu-SAM is missing any vectoring nozzle

@Just_Baron

I really want this lol

In fact Type 11 at any variant is even worse that Tan-SAM Kai

[Just_Baron]

I know it is, but I still want it lol

[Savage_SRC]

I agree with the addition of new SAM system, but…

The thing is not really the lack of the top-tier vehicles but rather a terrible decision making from dev part. The meta was defined a long time ago with introduction of Pantsir which made practically every other SPAA useless or underpowered from most aspects. The powercreep lasted for several years, until devs decided to redefine meta with introduction of IRIS-T SLM, which was a yet another horrible decision, especially due to growing compression of top tier ground.

Was it not due to these moves, japanese tt progress would move at similar pace as others. Tan-SAM Kai provided crucial anti-CAS support for top tier as the only missile SPAA Japs had at the time was Type 93 (an atrocious SPAA for sure) and was it not the genius who decided it was overperforming at 11.3, it wouldn’t need to compete with Pantsir and SLM in almost every battle.

The ARH Tan-SAM Kai is another case of poor decision making. It should have came 2-3 major update ago when Japs had no practical counter against Kh-38MT, or at least their carriers. As it was said, it would be an above average SPAA was it added before multi-vehicle SAMs became a thing.

And that was a problem: due to multi-vehicle SAMs being too much of a novelty, devs decided to pull out a DOA SAM system (which would have been nice a year ago) built in 1970s alongside god damn 2000s system. Because of the want of providing totally new ground forces mechanic, devs overlooked the efficency of said vehicles, and went straight for another powercreep machine.

Chu-SAM is a sort of competitor for SLM. I am not sure how effective will it be considering not much specs is available online

The only sober solution rn is to actually decompress ground forces at top tier: extending the top BR to at least 13.0 (so it matches with air BR), thus making SLM and CLAWS 13.0; Pantsir, CS/SA5, Elde 98 and alikes 12.7; Tan-SAM Kai (ARH), FlaRakRad, ADATS and alikes 12.3 with the rest of SPAAs being either same BR or increased by 0.3-0.7. After that something like Chu-SAM can have place, but definetly not rn, not under current circumstances.

Outrunning powercreep with powercreep is not a great idea, as well as plaguing top tier with even more compression, and Chu-SAM is indeed the solution for top SAM but only after decompression.