The Type 03 Medium-Range Surface-to-Air Missile (03式中距離地対空誘導弾, maru-san-shiki-chu-kyori-chi-tai-kuu-yuudou-dan) or SAM-4 or Chu-SAM (中SAM, Chū-Samu) is a Japanese developed surface-to-air missile system currently in service with the JGSDF. The SAM's vehicle chassis is based on the Kato Works Ltd/Mitsubishi Heavy Industries NK series heavy crane truck. It uses a state-of-the-art active electronically scanned array radar.[1]
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Type 03 Chu-SAM | |
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![]() Type 03 Chu-SAM | |
Type | mobile surface-to-air missile |
Place of origin | Japan |
Service history | |
In service | 2003 - Present |
Used by | Japan |
Production history | |
Designer | Mitsubishi Electric, Kato Works LTD. |
Manufacturer | Mitsubishi Heavy Industries |
Specifications | |
Mass | About 570kg |
Length | 4.9 m |
Diameter | About 0.32m |
Warhead | High-explosive |
Warhead weight | 73 kg |
Detonation mechanism | Proximity fuse |
Engine | Mitsubishi rocket |
Guidance system | track-via-missile, AESA radar |
The Chu-SAM air defense system is based on 8×8 cross country unarmored trucks, and includes a command center, radar unit, launcher, and transloader, with each unit equipped with six missiles that travel at Mach 2.5. The system can track up to 100 targets simultaneously and target 12 at the same time, engaging fighter jets, helicopters, and cruise missiles.[2]
In 2014, the JGSDF began evaluation of the upgraded Chu-SAM Kai, which uses improved sensor and networking features for better range and targeting of more complex cruise and anti-surface missile threats. During the summer of 2015, 10 Chu-SAM Kai missiles were test fired at White Sands Missile Range in the United States and successfully intercepted various targets, including the GQM-163 Coyote supersonic target drone; White Sands hosted the launches because the location's large size and controlled airspace allowed for testing conditions unavailable in Japan. Operational tests of the Chu-SAM Kai took place at White Sands, in 2016.[2][3]
The Chu-SAM Kai missile also planned to be converted to the long-range ship-to-air missile with a separable rocket booster.[4]
Comparable SAMs:
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Japan Self-Defense Forces missile designations | |
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Air-to-air missiles | |
Air-to-surface missile |
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Anti-tank missile |
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Surface-to-air missile | |
Surface-to-surface missile |
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Anti-submarine missile |
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