Mitsubishi AAM-5
Type 04
Overview
AAM-5
Left side view of dummy AAM-5 on display.
Source: Maryu -
© GNU Attribution - Share Alike license
AAM-5 (Design project)
Description
Introduction
The AAM-5 is a modern short range air to air missile of Japanese origin. It was developed to replace the AAM-3 and provide the Japanese air force with a weapon that has similar capabilities as the European IRIS-T and American AIM-9X Sidewinder.
Layout
The AAM-5 has a conventional air to air missile layout with the seeker, warhead and electronics in the front and the solid propellant rocket motor in the rear. Long chord wings are fitted halfway and cruciform wings are located near the nozzle. Thrust vector control provides high maneuverability while creating minimal drag.
Guidance
The AAM-5 uses a high quality wide angle infrared seeker. Reportedly the seeker is highly resistant against modern IR countermeasures. The AAM-5 has a lock on after launch ability that uses inertial navigation before acquiring the target at a predetermined target location. The AAM-5 can also be used in conjunction with a helmet mounted queuing system to utilize its high off boresight performance.
Firepower
The warhead is triggered by an active laser fuze and reportedly is a directional warhead. The maximum range is quoted as 50 km under perfect conditions and 35 km in practice. Both ranges are achieved using lock on after launch.
Launch platforms
The AAM-5 can be used on the F-15J, F-15DJ and the indigenous F-2 fighter aircraft. On both platforms integration is required, such as carried out under the F-15MJ improvement program.
Users
The sole user of the AAM-5 is the Japanese air force. No exports are planned.
Variants
AAM-5
Right side view of dummy AAM-5 on display.
Source: Maryu -
© GNU Attribution - Share Alike license
Variants of the AAM-5 air to air missile
AAM-5: Original production model, introduced in 2004.
AAM-5B: Improved AAM-5 with longer seeker cooling duration and better performance against IR flares. Project started in 2010 and planned to be operational in 2016.
Details
Media
AAM-5
Right side view of dummy AAM-5 on display.
Source: Maryu
Copyright: GNU Attribution - Share Alike license
AAM-5
Close up of AAM-5 seeker section.
Source: Hunini
Copyright: GNU Attribution - Share Alike license
AAM-5
AAM-5 on wingtip of F-2 fighter aircraft.
Source: Hunini
Copyright: GNU Attribution - Share Alike license
AAM-5
Close up of AAM-5 nozzle and thrust vector contol.
Source: Hunini
Copyright: GNU Attribution - Share Alike license
AAM-5
Forward view of dummy AAM-5 on display.
Source: Maryu
Copyright: GNU Attribution - Share Alike license
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The AAM-5 air to air missile can be carried and launched by modified versions of the F-15J and F-15DJ.