Independent Working Group Report: Missile Defense, the Space Relationship, and the Twenty-First Century. »»
February 8, 2012
IWG Report 2009
Independent Working Group Report: Missile Defense, the Space Relationship, and the Twenty-First Century. »»
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ASM-1 (Type 80, Type 91)
| Country: | Japan |
|---|---|
| Class: | ALCM |
| Target: | Ship |
| Length: | 4.00 m |
| Diameter: | 0.34 m |
| Wingspan: | 1.02 m |
| Launch Weight: | 600.00 kg |
| Payload: | 150 kg HE, SAP |
| Propulsion: | Solid |
| Range: | 50.00 km |
| Guidance: | INS, active radar |
| Status: | Operational |
| In Service: | 1983-Present |
Details
The ASM-1 (Type 80) is a short-range, solid-propellant, turbojet-powered, single warhead, air-to-surface cruise missile developed and manufactured by Japan.
The ASM-1 is Japan’s first indigenous air-to-surface missile and the primary weapon for the Mitsubishi F-1 support aircraft. It was designed primarily as a coastal defense weapon, although it can also be used against a variety of surface targets including ships, truck convoys, light armored vehicles, buildings, and bridges.
Development of the ASM-1 began in 1973, and the first test launch took place in 1977. The development phase was completed in 1980 and production started the same year. The first prototype missile evaluated by the Japanese Air Self-Defense Force (JASDF) in 1981 and 1982. The ASM-1 is believed to have entered service with the JASDF in 1983. It is currently deployed on the Mitsubishi F-1, F-4J Phantom, and the P-3C Orion aircraft, and possibly the F-2 aircraft as well.
The ASM-1 (Type 80) is cylindrical in shape with a rounded nose, four delta-shaped wings just behind the mid-body, and four delta-shaped fins in the rear. The missile is 4.0 m in length, has a body diameter of 0.34 m, and has a launch weight of 600 kg. It is powered by a solid propellant motor, and its guidance system is inertial and active radar. The ASM-1 has a range of 50 km, and carries a 150 kg high explosive semi-armor-piercing warhead.
In 1981, the Japanese Defense Agency proposed the development of a new coastal defense system deploying a land-based version of the ASM-1, designated SSM-1 (Type 88). Between 1986 and 1990, Japan also developed a variant of the ASM-1 (Type 80) known as the ASM-1C (Type 91). The variant was developed for deployment on the JASDF P-3C Orion maritime patrol aircraft. The ASM-1C (Type 91) is reported to be 90 kg lighter than ASM-1, and to have an extended range of 65 km.
Between 20 and 30 ASM-1 missiles have probably been produced each year since 1980. The missiles are built to meet the specifications of Japanese defense forces and are not offered for export.(1)
Footnotes
