Description
The Mitsubishi AAM-4 (Type 99 air-to-air missile, 99式空対空誘導弾 (99 Shiki Kūtaikū Yūdōdan)) is a medium-range active radar homing air-to-air missile. It is a modern beyond-visual-range missile developed in Japan and intended to replace the semi-active radar homing AIM-7 Sparrow missile in service. It has been operational since 1999. The main contractor is Mitsubishi Electric. The AAM-4 had a development cost of 36.2 billion yen. The 2010 AAM-4B was the world's first air-to-air missile with an AESA radar seeker.
The AAM-4's fins are too large to fit in the internal weapons bay of the F-35 Lightning II. This, along with other factors, led to a program with MBDA UK to adapt the AAM-4B's AESA seeker technology to MBDA's Meteor missile airframe to produce the JNAAM. However this project has since been canceled. The AAM-4 is instead expected to be succeeded by a new domestic medium range air to air missile, which is slated for use on GCAP.
In addition to its air-to-air capabilities, the missile also has the capabilities to intercept cruise missiles and other ASMs. However it can only engage them from the front aspect, lacking sufficient energy to hit them from side or rear aspects.
Aam-4 News
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