The Japanese Ministry of Defense is considering mounting long-range missiles on military transport aircraft as part of a counter-strike capability.
Tokyo is planning to develop a counter-strike capability against missile launch bases from where an attack is imminent.
The missiles being considered include the US-made Joint Air-to-Surface Standoff Missile (JASSM) and an aircraft-launched version of the Type 12 surface-to-ship guided missile, The Japan Times reported, citing sources.
Missile Options
The JASSM Extended Range can strike a target around 900 kilometers (559 miles) away. The Type 12 version under development has a range of 1,000 kilometers (621 miles).
According to the outlet, the missile would be configured for launch from the Kawasaki C-2 aircraft. The Japanese military currently has 15 C-2s.
The missile’s engine would self-ignite after being dropped from the cargo aircraft and propel the munition toward the target.
USAF Rapid Dragon Program
The C-2’s greater payload capacity of 20 tons and range of 7,600 kilometers (4,722 miles) enable it to carry the munitions in greater quantity and launch from a standoff distance.
The concept is also being developed by the US Air Force, having demonstrated the launch of a swarm of air-launched missiles with the Rapid Dragon palletized weapon system last year.
Technical Research in 2024
A total of 3.5 billion yen ($25 million) has been budgeted for capability development in the current fiscal year.
Full-scale production is expected after the completion of technical research in 2024.
