AAM-2
AAM-2 | |
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![]() AAM-2 Prototype | |
Type | Short-range, infrared homing air-to-air missile |
Place of origin | Japan |
Service history | |
Used by | Japan |
Production history | |
Manufacturer | Mitsubishi Heavy Industries |
Specifications | |
Guidance system | infrared homing |
Launch platform | Aircraft: |
The Mitsubishi AAM-2 was a Japanese prototype for a limited all aspect infrared homing air-to-air missile developed based on the American AIM-4D Falcon missile. It never reached production.
Development
In 1968, Japan selected a modified version of the F-4E as the next main future fighter of the Japan Air Self-Defense Force with the possibility to employ the AIM-4D being an important factor of the decision. The development of the XAAM-2 was started in 1970 as an air-to-air missile for the newly acquired F-4EJ. It was developed by the Technical Research and Development Institute and Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, aiming to exceed the performance of the original AIM-4D. The guidance system used infrared homing like the AIM-4D, but improved to a limited all-aspect infrared homing with the ability to attack from the front and side of the enemy aircraft with the reliability of electronic devices also improved. The missile employed a higher performance rocket motor expanding its range. In addition, the warhead power was increased compared to the AIM-4D, and it was equipped with a proximity fuze, solving major issues of the AIM-4D, such as the small warhead and the lack of a proximity fuze. Therefore, although the AAM-2 is very similar in appearance to the model AIM-4, it employed a different motor, warhead and guidance system. While being successfully tested, the AAM-2 never entered production due to higher cost compared to the American-made AIM-4D, with a high surplus stock after the Vietnam War. Japan rather imported the AIM-4D to equip its F-4EJ aircraft. The development of XAAM-2 was discontinued in 1975.
See also
- AAM-1 – (Japan)
- AAM-3 – (Japan)
- AAM-5 – (Japan)
- AIM-9L Sidewinder – (United States)
- K-13 – (Soviet Union)
- R-60 – (Soviet Union)
- R.550 Magic – (France)
- Shafrir-1 – (Israel)
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- Type 69 (AAM-1)
- AAM-2
- Type 90 (AAM-3)
- Type 99 (AAM-4/AAM-4B)
- Type 04 (AAM-5/AAM-5B)
- Type 80 (ASM-1)
- Type 91 (ASM-1C)
- Type 93 (ASM-2/ASM-2B)
- ASM-3 (ASM-3/ASM-3A/ASM-3 Kai)
- Type 23 (air-to-ship missile)
- Type 12 (Future versions of aircraft-launched variants)
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