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Type 11 Tan-SAM Kai II - An Appreciated SAM for the JGDSF: Part 2
Hi and welcome to my 21st suggestion, which is about the Type 11 Tan-SAM Kai II and one of a few modern japanese Vehicles I want to suggest, hope you like it. 
This is a follow-up suggestion from the Type 81 mod.(C) Tan-SAM Kai and as you might notice when reading, we are searching for more information; if you want to help share sources and information in the JGSDF Discussion thread or here.
First of all:
- This is a suggestion for a Vehicle we could see in game at some point in the Future , that doesn´t mean next Patch or somewhere in the near Future
- Feel free to share more Information and / or correct me if something is wrong
- Discuss respectfully, any aggressive kind or verbal abuse will be reported, the Forum rules also apply here
- To be more specific, this suggestion refers to the JGSDF version of the Type 11 SAM on Type 73 chassis, the JASDF has an own version on a different platform and can likely not be operated as single vehicle system.
- Key-Control-Unit (KCU)
Basic Background
The development was carried out from 1999 to 2002 at the Technology Research Headquarters, using the results of the “Research prototype of future short-range surface-to-air missiles” from 2005 to 2009. The development phase was called “Short-SAM revised II” (Tan-SAM Kai II), but in the 2011 government draft summary decision on the defense budget, the equipment designation was called “Type 11 Short-Range Surface-to-Air Guided Missile”.
The Type 11 Tan-SAM Kai II Overall
It is a surface-to-air missile system that succeeds the short-range Type 81 surface-to-air missile.
This system consists of a vehicle-mounted fire control system and a launcher. The fire control system is equipped with an active phased array radar mounted on a truck. The launch vehicle is a quadruple rocket mounted on highly mobile vehicles identical to the Type 93 found in the game for the JASDF. The specification for the Air Self-Defense Force is partially different and is called “Kichiboku Uyouchi Taiku Uudodan” for basic air defense. In the meantime the JGSDF version is based on the Isuzu Type 73 truck, its mobility is good and reaches speeds of up to 90 km/h, powered by an Model 8PE1 V8 diesel with 286 hp at 2.300 rpm. The total combat weight of the launch-vehicle is roughly 14.2 tons.
JASDF Version & Firecontrol / Radar Truck
The improvement over the Type 81 is that the launch method has been changed to a canister launch method, improving maintainability and handling, and the performance improvement allows it to handle supersonic or small air-to-surface missiles and cruise missiles. Unlike the Type 81, which had two types of guidance, it has only one active radar homing method.
The Type 11 Tan-SAM Kai II missile itself is equipped with an active radar seeker (ARH), which means the missile can track its target itself. The firing range against low-flying aircraft, drones and cruise missiles is about 15 km.
Like the Type 81 mod.(C), the JGSDF version of the launch vehicle is equipped with a tripod Key-Control-Unit, with which the launch system can be controlled without a fire control vehicle or command post (more in “Key-Control-Unit” spoiler). Additionally; there are pictures of Type 81 and Type 11 launcher vehicles with a kind of camera sight (e.g. the last one in this suggestion, such a camera is located under one of the missile tubes), nothing is known about these at the current time of our search, but this one seems to be mounted for training purposes.
Key-Control-Unit for manual Launcher and Missile slaving
- Red marked Devices are the Key-Control-Units (KCU)
- Blue marked is the Firecontrolsystem Truck
As we can see, not all targets are tracked by the FCS. The FCS Radar Truck is used when barely visible targets like Air-to-Surfrace Missiles (ASM), Cruise-Missiles (CM) have to be detected and shot down.
Its also in use against low flying targets like Helicopters. But as we can see on the official figure, a fighter jet is engaged by an Type 11 missile without command by the FCS, just with the KCU (marked in yellow).
The following verbatimly confirms that a JGSDF launcher vehicle with a KCU unit can be independently deployed and missiles fired.
Machine translated: “Capable of firing by launcher units using optical sights”
In addition, a KCU unit has an optical sight, as can be seen in the images already shown.
Since the Type 81 mod.(C) system also has such a KCU, it is also proven that both Tan-SAM Kai systems are independent of a separate vehicle with a fire control system.
Translation:
“Continuing from the Type 81 short SAM, it is also equipped with an optical sight called the interceptor operation section.
If it is directly connected to the launcher with a cable and can visually see a flying object missed by the radar, it will be possible to aim and launch the missile. The missile is guided by active radar, so if you send it toward the target, the missile should automatically hit the target.”
Unfortunately, there is little information about the whole system itself, but from current research status, its possible that a Type 11 missile can be slaved to a target and fired using the Key-Control-Unit device; the missile’s ARH seeker should allow it to lock onto a target at certain distances and track once fired, ‘Maddog’ launches are commonly possible with modern ARH missiles.
Incidentally, something like this is already possible with comparable SAM systems, such as the M1097 with SL-AMRAAM.
Disadvantage of the whole thing would be missing IFF, lack of search Radar and “only” four ready-to-launch missiles, when these are used up you have to reload in a capture point, whereby you can also introduce a spawn reload point for anti-aircraft defense, but that’s a topic for a separate suggestion.
As for now, nothing is known about the ARH seeker itself, other than that its based on the AAM-4Bs AESA, so any support with information is very welcome as mentioned above.
Personal Thoughts on Type 81 mod.(C) and Type 11 Tan-SAM Kai II
As someone who plays War Thunder for quite some time now with a lot of interest in the Japanese ground tech tree, I highly advocate for the addition of the Type 81 mod.(C) Tan-SAM Kai and Type 11 Tan-SAM Kai II systems. These very capable surface-to-air missile systems offer significant potential to enhance gameplay diversity, expand the tech tree, and uphold historical accuracy.
A compelling reason to introduce the Type 81 mod.(C) and Type 11 Tan-SAM Kai II lies in the current (hurting) lack of top-tier SAM options for Japan in-game. A well balanced and diverse tech tree is vital to ensure engaging gameplay experiences across various tiers and vehicles. By adding these systems at (example) Battle Ratings of GRB 10.0 and 12.0, Japanese players would gain access to advanced and efficient anti-aircraft defense capabilities, elevating their enjoyment and competitiveness in War Thunder.
The Type 81’s Launcher vehicle, equipped with IR fire-and-forget missiles, introduces a better and more effective version of the Type 93; which is fitted with short range MANPAD missiles and is btw, the current top anti-air in the Japanese ground tree, not the best and luckily not the worst. However, anything but competitive in the top tier, where the Pantsir is already up, with a range of 18km, no RWR pings and capability to shoot down incoming (guided-) ammunition.
Similarly, the Type 11 Tan-SAM Kai II missile, featuring an active radar seeker and an average firing range, enhances Japan’s anti-air capabilities to compete at high-tier levels. Its performance improvement over the Type 81 mod.(C), particularly against modern threats such as high and fast flying Fighter-Bombers and Drones, reinforces Japan’s relevance in the game.
Furthermore, the the Key-Control-Unit makes both Tan-SAM systems a theoretically and technically possible, as well as legitimate options as future top tier anti-air.
While concerns may arise regarding the SAM systems’ effectiveness with the Key-Control-Unit; Gaijin’s recent past semi-acceptance of paper-designed vehicles (e.g. F-16AJ), which was literally served for balance, and exploration of technical possibilities instills hope for gives hope that even with these two really good top tier AA options for Japan, Gaijin realizes that its balance and not 100% technical and historical accuracy. Additionally, given the potential controversies surrounding sub-nation tech trees (e.g. South-Korea, Indonesia …), the inclusion of the Type 81 mod.(C) and Type 11 Tan-SAM in the established Japanese tech tree presents a pragmatic, compromising and legitimate choice in view of the circumstances and the information provided for both SAM systems, which have now turned out to be not necessary multi-vehicle systems.
In conclusion, the Type 81 mod.(C) and Type 11 Tan-SAM are great options for the Japanese ground TT. Their addition promises to enhance gameplay diversity and contribute to the continued expansion of Japanese vehicle options.
Previous Type 81 mod.(C) Tan-SAM Kai Suggestion
Thanks for your time, hope you liked it 
[Will add more if there are some (more) important / declassified things]
[PM or comment if a Link or Picture isn´t working]
Sources:
Videos
11式短SAM動的展示＠2016 - ニコニコ動画
x.com
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BGwUaIM_Jgk
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RbZEy4fgGbY
Links
https://warp.da.ndl.go.jp/info:ndljp/pid/11623291/www.mod.go.jp/j/approach/agenda/meeting/materials/seisan/sonota/pdf/05/001.pdf
11式地対空誘導弾システム
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11式短距離地対空誘導弾 - 航空軍事用語辞典＋＋
https://rikuzi-chousadan.com/soubihin/yuudoudan/11tan_sam.html
11®Z£nÎóU±e
Type 11 Short-Range Air Defense System | MilitaryToday.com
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