JAPAN IS considering developing a ship-launched air-defence derivative of the new Mitsubishi XAAM-4 medium-range air-to-air missile.
The Japan Defence Agency (JDA) has requested '600 million ($6 million) in funding in the budget for fiscal year 1995 for Mitsubishi to study a naval surface-to-air version of the indigenously developed XAAM-4.
A new missile would replace the Maritime Self-Defence Force's (MSDF) Raytheon Sea Sparrow system, produced under licence in Japan.
The active radar-guided XAAM-4 is being developed for the Air Self-Defence Force (ASDF) to replace its AIM-7 Sparrows. The JDA is seeking '16.6 billion in the next defence budget to complete development of the system in 1997.
Mitsubishi hopes to build up to 1,000 missiles for the ASDF, but faces competition on pricing from Hughes, offering its AMRAAM system. Possible development of a shipboard variant of the XAAM-4 for the MSDF could double production and lower missile-unit costs.
Source: Flight International