- Yes
- No
- I don’t know
Short explanation of AAM-5.
Mitsubishi AAM-5 is the successor missile for AAM-3. It was first started development in1991, and fully went into service in 2004 and has been used since.
From this point on, i will start calling AAM-5 “AAM-5A” and its improved version “5B”.
Characteristics of AAM-5A
AAM-5A, compared to AAM-3 is longer, uses thrust vectoring and lacks Canard Control Surfaces. In terms of missile generation it is equivelant to that of IRIS-T and Aim-9X “Sidewinder”. Features such as LOAL and Mid flight course update.
"Unlike the Type 90 air-to-air guided missile, there is no canard, and flight control is performed by a TVC (Thrust Vector Control) rocket motor and a fully movable flight control wing attached to the tail of the missile. Ensuring high mobility. Additionally, a long slender strake is provided in the center of the missile.
The NEC seeker has also been improved, and in addition to increasing the viewing angle with the infrared seeker’s 3-axis gimbal, it also utilizes infrared images with an infrared focal plane array type multi-element seeker. Identification based on infrared images counters infrared source interference methods such as flares. In addition, in the mid-route, an optical fiber gyroscope type inertial guidance (INS) is introduced, which enables lock-on-after-launch (LOAL) when combined with a helmet-mounted sight. The guidance method for the final leg is infrared imaging (IIR). It belongs to the same generation as AIM-9X, IRIS-T, etc."
AAM-5B Has all the same features but it includes a better IRCCM, and a stirling engine for seeker cooling.
Image of AAM-5A and 5B below.
Nozzle and the Thrust vectoring control image.
Development of AAM-5A 式空対空誘導弾
The Type 04 air-to-air guided missile AAM-5 is a domestically produced infrared-guided short-range air-to-air missile SRAAM developed by the Ministry of Defense’s Technical Research Headquarters and Mitsubishi Heavy Industries. Development began in 1991 as a successor to the AAM-3 (Type 90). And it was adopted in 2004.
Development of AAM-5B
Development of the improved AAM-5 began in 2011, and it was adopted as the Type 04 air-to-air guided missile (B) AAM-5B in 2015. The development cost was approximately 6 billion yen.
The main changes from AAM-5 are as follows.
Not much information regarding the development of Mitsubishi AAM-5A/B is available publically, So if i do make a mistake please point it out in the comments so i can edit with the appropriate information.
The features of the AAM-5A/5B missiles include the following:
- Infrared focal plane array multi-element seeker expands lock-on range and improves target
- classification ability
- Compatible with LOAL (lock on after launch)
- Improved maneuverability by adopting thrust vector control (TVC)
- Improving maneuverability by adopting rear wing steering
- Increased swing angle with seeker’s 3-axis gimbal
- Eliminate interfering signals by using high-speed calculation equipment.
- MIL-STD-1553B is required for operation using LOAL.
Specifications of AAM-5A/B
- Length: 3,105 mm
- Diameter: 130 mm
- Wing span: 440 mm
- Weight: 95 kg
- Guidance: AAM-5A: Terminal Infrared homing, IIR, INS+COLOS
- Guidance: AAM-5B: Terminal IIR with IRCCM, INS+COLOS)
- Warhead: blast fragmentation warhead
- Detonation Mechanism: laser, proximity fuze, and impact
- Range: 35 km
- Speed: Mach 3+
Planes that can mount the AAM-5A/5B
F-15J/DJ
Spoiler
Spoiler
Spoiler
F-2A/B
Spoiler
Spoiler
Sources:
https://weaponsystems.net/system/217-Mitsubishi+AAM-5
Summary
While we aren’t going to get these missiles anytime soon, it shows us the peak of japanese missile technology that surpasses its predecessor (AAM-3 Type-90) in everyway. While making a missile equivelant to that of Western and American standards.
