Japanese cruise missiles

The size of the target is unclear, but since the height of a standard surface target above the water is usually around 4–5 meters, it seems the impact occurred at about 1–2 meters above the surface.
 

Japan Will Arm Its Submarines With Long-Range Cruise Missiles​

 

Japan Will Arm Its Submarines With Long-Range Cruise Missiles​

So it looks the upgraded Type 12 will be tube launched and the other cruise missile is likely UGM-109s based on the earlier TLAM buy. That leaves the planned VLS equipped submarine to use all it's space for HGVP in the future. Word is that it might also be an SSN which would technically mean Japan will have SSBNs in the future although with conventional ballistic missiles without the usual nuclear warheads found in that class.
 
So it looks the upgraded Type 12 will be tube launched and the other cruise missile is likely UGM-109s based on the earlier TLAM buy. That leaves the planned VLS equipped submarine to use all it's space for HGVP in the future. Word is that it might also be an SSN which would technically mean Japan will have SSBNs in the future although with conventional ballistic missiles without the usual nuclear warheads found in that class.
No, the Tomahawks will be in the VLS. The US has not made any Tomahawks encapsulated for torpedo tube launch in nearly 2 decades! Not since the last UK buy.
 

Attachments

  • IMG_7590.jpeg
    IMG_7590.jpeg
    1.6 MB · Views: 63
  • IMG_7579.jpeg
    IMG_7579.jpeg
    3.2 MB · Views: 64
  • IMG_7587.jpeg
    IMG_7587.jpeg
    1.4 MB · Views: 62
  • IMG_7588.jpeg
    IMG_7588.jpeg
    1.1 MB · Views: 56
  • IMG_7589.jpeg
    IMG_7589.jpeg
    1.6 MB · Views: 57
  • IMG_7591.jpeg
    IMG_7591.jpeg
    1.2 MB · Views: 62
  • IMG_7593.jpeg
    IMG_7593.jpeg
    896.4 KB · Views: 64
  • IMG_7595.jpeg
    IMG_7595.jpeg
    941.2 KB · Views: 65
  • IMG_7594.jpeg
    IMG_7594.jpeg
    887 KB · Views: 65
I’ve compiled information on Kawasaki’s UAV:


  • Three rounds were fired last month at Niijima. It even performed a barrel roll.
  • It just fits into a VLS.
  • From the trolley specifications the weight looks to be about 540 kg (I received comments saying roughly 500–600 kg).
  • There’s no schedule yet for equipping it operationally, but they plan to make use of the results.
  • The XKJ301 UAV engine is marketed on the strength that it can deliver performance regardless of intake position or configuration, and they are strongly considering adapting it for other guided weapons.
  • Development and testing are basically being handled by the prime contractor KHI, but warhead tests were carried out by TDW in Germany (a missile-warhead company owned by MBDA). Apparently TDW has deeper expertise regarding fragmentation.
  • If you’re used to LRASM or current Tomahawk designs, a substantial intake might raise concerns about detectability and stealth, but they say detectability has been properly addressed here.
  • The main wing is an unusual three-fold design; KHI wanted a larger wing, which is why it was made this way.
  • In an image showing three engines side-by-side, the left-most is the XKJ301; the others are scaled-up variants. The right-hand engine includes an added fan and is envisioned for installation on CCA-type UAVs.
    They suggested that the high-power-extraction engine exhibited last year may be developed along the same lineage.
  • An illustration of ATLA’s envisioned engine deployment for the project: left = missile, center = small UAV, right = large UAV.
  • The folding wing mechanism is easy to understand from the diagram: a yellow wing section attached to the fuselage splits into blue wing panels that fold under the lower fuselage. The red parts are tail surfaces.
  • A rear-view image shows a fuselage cross-section that appears to be designed with attention to stealth.
 
1762871254951.png
This may be an excerpt from last year's panel, and others might have written about it as well, but according to the ATLA representative, KHI’s idea seems to be to propose the rear section of the missile as a package, while allowing the front section—such as the warhead and seeker—to be combined with components from other companies.
As for the range extension resulting from the switch to a turbofan engine, it’s difficult to give a definitive figure since various factors are involved, but it seems that roughly a 1.5-fold increase can be expected.
Looking at examples of foreign missiles that adopted turbofan engines in the past, as well as the Type 12 Improved model, which aims to extend its range from 900 km to 1,500 km, it seems that this is about the general range.

Additional images

1762871393176.png
1762871421256.png
1762871445190.png
1762871479277.png
 
It is said that development progressed at a very rapid pace after then–Prime Minister Fumio Kishida announced around November 2023 that Japan would possess long-range missiles. Since Japanese defense manufacturers rarely engage in public advertising, the progress of development after the announcement was unclear and somewhat concerning—but I was surprised to learn that three test launches have already been conducted.
 

Japan Completes All Improved Type 12 Anti-Ship Missile Tests​

 

I don't think this is to do with missiles, since Turkey and Japan have their own security requirements - Turkey is more in-tune with shorter ranged, swarm capable missiles for coastal defence whilst Japan is looking for longer range deterrence.

This is likely for co-operation in unmanned drones and surveillance purposes;

"To defend the coasts, Japan will spend 100 billion yen ($640 million) to deploy “massive” unmanned air, sea-surface and underwater drones for surveillance and defense under a system called “SHIELD” planned for March 2028, defense ministry officials said.

For speedier deployment, Japan initially plans to rely mainly on imports, possibly from Turkey or Israel."


Turkey has demonstrated and currently operationally use UAV and USV teaming for instance, during the demo Japanese delegation were present.
 
I don't think this is to do with missiles, since Turkey and Japan have their own security requirements - Turkey is more in-tune with shorter ranged, swarm capable missiles for coastal defence whilst Japan is looking for longer range deterrence.
actually turkey has Atmaca family of anti-ship, surface-to-surface and submarine-launched cruise missiles. range for land version 400+ km and sea one ~250km.

This is likely for co-operation in unmanned drones and surveillance purposes;
japan is said to be interested in TB3. it's a carrier-based diesel-engine MALE UCAV with short-range landing and take-off.
 
1768616605094.png
1768616723839.png
New vids on the KHI cruise missile and XKJ-301-1 that will go into it. We have an official test launch that shows the terminal phase maneuvering as well. This is the 2000km missile with the interchangeable warheads that will eventually replace the interim Tomahawk purchase.

View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q3qvo6aHb6Q

View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HI5VpUQWxuk

actually turkey has Atmaca family of anti-ship, surface-to-surface and submarine-launched cruise missiles. range for land version 400+ km and sea one ~250km.
Sure, but those are numbers that Japan has had in service since 2017 and 2012 respectively. Just in terms of launch canisters, Japan has around 300 for the Type 12/Type 12 Kai and another 104 for Type 17. There's likely thousands of missiles stockpiled for them as well. I think the last thing Japan would ever have to go to a 3rd party supplier for is AShMs.
 
View attachment 798750
View attachment 798751
New vids on the KHI cruise missile and XKJ-301-1 that will go into it. We have an official test launch that shows the terminal phase maneuvering as well. This is the 2000km missile with the interchangeable warheads that will eventually replace the interim Tomahawk purchase.

View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q3qvo6aHb6Q

View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HI5VpUQWxuk


Sure, but those are numbers that Japan has had in service since 2017 and 2012 respectively. Just in terms of launch canisters, Japan has around 300 for the Type 12/Type 12 Kai and another 104 for Type 17. There's likely thousands of missiles stockpiled for them as well. I think the last thing Japan would ever have to go to a 3rd party supplier for is AShMs.
The experimental footage shows it performing about three barrel rolls just before impact.
 
Back
Top Bottom