Munitions / Air to surface missiles / ASM-1

ASM-1

General Facts

  • TYPE
    Anti-ship missile

  • ORIGIN
    Japan

  • NICKNAMES
    -

  • DESIGNED
    1973 - 1977 (ASM-1)
    1986 - 1990 (ASM-1C)
    1987

  • DESIGNER
    Mitsubishi

  • PRODUCTION
    1981 - present

  • PRODUCERS
    Japan - Mitsubishi

  • QUANTITY
    Unknown

  • UNIT COST
    $ 915.000 for SSM-1 in 1991

  • CHARACTERISTICS
    Good range
    Compatibility with Harpoon
    Sea skimming flight profile
    Limited warhead in ASM-1
    Subsonic

Introduction

The ASM-1 is an anti-ship missile of Japanese origin. It was developed in the 1970's by Mitsubishi to provide the Japanese air force with a modern anti-ship missile. The ASM-1 served as the basis for improved air launched models and surface launched models. All variants have a Westernized acronym and traditional model year designation.

Layout

Externally the ASM-1 looks like a mix between the US Harpoon and French MM38 Exocet missile. The ASM-1 has a similar layout with the guidance section in front followed by the warhead and the rear half of the missile consisting of the solid fuel rocket motor. The latest air launched model and surface launched models use a turbojet engine and the surface launched models also add a booster section to provide initial velocity. The ASM-1 and its variants are subsonic and follow a sea skimming flight profile.

Guidance

The ASM-1 uses active radar homing and inertial guidance until the target is within radar range. The guidance section is believed to be taken from the Harpoon missile and has a similar performance. The ASM-2 uses an imaging infrared seeker that has a higher resistance to ECM and will strike the hot engine compartment to cripple the ship.

Firepower

The original air launched models use a 150 kg high explosive warhead that penetrates the target before exploding. The surface launched models use a heavier 225 kg warhead. The ASM-1 has a range of 50 km while the turbojet in the ASM-2 extends its range to 180 km. The surface launched models have a range of 150 to 200 km.

Platform

The ASM-1 is used on the F-1 fighter jet and P-3 Orion maritime patrol aircraft. The ASM-2 was developed for use on the newer F-2 fighter jet. The SSM-1 is the original surface launched version and is used in a land based truck mounted coastal defense system. The SSM-1B is roughly similar version for use on ships and is to replace most ship based Harpoon missiles in the near future, although this may be postponed until the SSM-2 becomes available.

Users

As with most Japanese military technology the ASM-1 and its derivatives are only used by Japan. The ASM-1 is in use with all branches since the air force uses the air launched models, the army uses a coastal defense system and navy uses the surface to surface version. The ASM-1 is slowly replacing the Harpoon in Japanese service and will remain in use for many years to come.

Variants

Air launched variant

The ASM-1 is the original missiles from which all other versions have been derived. The ASM-1 can be distinguished from the later air launched models by its pointed wings since all later versions use clipped wings. The ASM-1 and ASM-1C are very different from the ASM-2 and only the external appearance is similar.

ASM-1 / Type 80: Original anti-ship missile with solid propellant rocket motor.
ASM-1C / Type 91: Improved ASM-1 that is lighter, has better ECCM facilities and has an extended range.
ASM-2 / Type 93: New air launched version with infrared seeker, turbojet engine and more powerful warhead.

TypeAnti-ship missile
Diameter0.335 m body, 1.02 m wingspan
Length4.0 m
Weight600 kg
GuidanceInertial and active radar homing
Warhead150 kg HE semi-armor piercing
PropulsionSingle-stage solid propellant rocket motor
SpeedMach 0.9
Range50 km
Altitude-
Engagement envelope-
Remarks-
TypeAnti-ship missile
Diameter0.350 m body, 0.9 m wingspan
Length4.0 m
Weight510 kg
GuidanceInertial and active radar homing
Warhead150 kg HE semi-armor piercing
PropulsionSingle-stage solid propellant rocket motor
SpeedMach 0.9
Range65 km
Altitude-
Engagement envelope-
Remarks-
TypeAnti-ship missile
Diameter0.350 m body, 0.9 m wingspan
Length4.1 m
Weight530 kg
GuidanceInertial with updates and imaging infrared
Warhead225 kg HE semi-armor piercing
PropulsionTurbojet
Speed1.150 km/h
Range100 to 180 km
Altitude-
Engagement envelope-
Remarks-

Coastal defense system

The SSM-1 / Type 88 is a land based version of the ASM-1. The SSM-1 has a similar layout as the ASM-1 but is longer since it requires a turbojet engine and booster section to provide the desired range. The SSM-1 was developed specifically for use as the Type 88 coastal defense system. Six missile are carried on an unarmored 6x6 truck. A radar vehicle based on the Type 73 jeep provides target information. The Type 88 was produced from 1988 to 2001 and since the introduction of the SSM-1B it has been called the SSM-1A as well.

TypeAnti-ship missile
Diameter0.350 m body, 1.19m wingspan
Length5.1 m
Weight660 kg
GuidanceInertial and active radar homing
Warhead225 kg HE semi-armor piercing
PropulsionTurbojet with solid propellant booster
Speed1.150 km/h
Range150 - 200 km
Altitude-
Engagement envelope-
RemarksSea skimming 5 to 6 m

Naval variant

The SSM-1B / Type 90 is the naval variant of the surface launched SSM-1. It uses the same longer body with more fuel and booster section as the SSM-1. The SSM-1B can possibly be launched from the Mk 141 launchers used with the Harpoon. Due to the use of the Harpoon guidance section integration with current ships is simple. A SSM-2 was being developed in the mid 1990's and was also reported as the Type 96, but its current status is unknown. The SSM-2 was to use an imaging infrared seeker derived from the ASM-2, to be launched vertically and have a longer range of around 250 km due to the use of new jet fuel.

TypeAnti-ship missile
Diameter0.350 m body, 1.19m wingspan
Length5.1 m
Weight660 kg
GuidanceInertial and active radar homing
Warhead225 kg HE semi-armor piercing
PropulsionTurbojet with solid propellant booster
Speed1.150 km/h
Range150 - 200 km
Altitude-
Engagement envelope-
RemarksSea skimming 5 to 6 m

Media

Copyright © 2002 - 2014 Weaponsystems.net