JMSDF P-1 MPA Testing Next Generation Anti-Ship Missile Photos taken on February 10, 2020 show a P-1 Maritime Patrol Aircraft (MPA) of the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF) flying with four new air-to-ship missiles (ASM) which are currently under development.

This ASM is the successor to the Type 91 ASM currently operated by the JMSDF, and is developed based on the Type 17 ship-to-ship missile (SSM), which was developed as a successor to the Type 90 SSM fitted aboard JMSDF destroyers.

The pictures were taken at Naval Air Facility Atsugi on February 10, 2020. Picture by Japanese photographer Koji Ogasawara.

This ASM has a longer range than the Type 91 ASM. In addition, the Type 17 SSM, which is the basis for its development, can update target information even after being fired. It seems that the new ASM also inherits such function. Testing of the new ASM will continue until 2022.

Evolution / roadmap of Japan Self Defense Forces’ anti-ship missiles (for Air, Ground and Maritime).

In addition, a new Surface-to-Ship missile (SSM) for the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force (JGSDF), which is based on the Type 17 SSM as well as this new ASM, has been developed concurrently as an extended range type of the Type 12 SSM currently operated by JGSDF.

Incidentally, this new ASM has nothing to do with ASM-3 which was developed for Japan Air Self-Defense Force (JASDF) and is supersonic. This is because ASM-3 is the successor of the Type 80/93 ASM (ASM-1 & ASM-2) operated by JASDF.

JASDF XASM-3-E left rear view at Gifu Air Base November 19, 2017. Picture by Hunini.

Currently, the Japan Self-Defense Force is aiming to build a coordinated anti-ship capability with the tactical data link between the JMSDF, the JGSDF , the JASDF and the US forces. And the concept image of this new ASM shows how such a coordinated attack against enemy ships may take place via tactical data link:

Under this mechanism, the JMSDF and JGSDF can share the target information, so that the long range performance of the missile can be maximized. The type of data link is not specified, but Link 16 is considered appropriate given the cooperation with the US forces.