미국, AMRAAM 재고 확충을 위해 일본과 공동생산 타진중

[위종민]

일본과 미국이 7월 말 도쿄에서 열린 국방 및 외무장관 회담에서 AIM-120 AMRAAM과 PAC-3 MSE 미사일의 공동생산을 추진하기로 합의했었는데, 우선 AIM-120 공동생산부터 추진하는 것 같습니다. 하와이에서 관련 부서장들이 만나 연말까지 생산 계획을 확정하기로 합의했네요. 

일본 생산분은 우크라이나로 지원하지 않고 비축한다고 합니다. 

US and Japan close to AIM-120 AMRAAM co-production to backfill depleted American stockpiles due to war in Ukraine (theaviationgeekclub.com)

US and Japan close to AIM-120 AMRAAM co-production to backfill depleted American stockpiles due to war in Ukraine

• Military Aviation
• Weapons

US and Japan close to AIM-120 AMRAAM co-production to backfill depleted American stockpiles due to war in Ukraine

By Dario Leone

Oct 10 2024

Share this article

In this article:

• US and Japan close to AIM-120 AMRAAM co-production
• US and Japan to have a clear path for AIM-120 co-production by the end of the year
• A follow-on to the AIM-7 Sparrow missile series
• A crucial role in the Ukraine war

US and Japan close to AIM-120 AMRAAM co-production

Following a “two-plus-two” meeting of foreign and defense ministers in Tokyo in late July where Japan and the US had agreed to pursue “co-production opportunities” for AIM-120 advanced medium-range air-to-air missile (AMRAAM) and Patriot PAC-3 Missile Segment Enhancement, Tokyo and Washington will soon start a feasibility study to accelerate efforts toward AMRAAM co-production, Nikkei Asia reports.

According to a Japanese Defense Ministry readout the two sides recently agreed to speed up the study on AMRAAM co-production during a meeting in Hawaii following concerns over diminishing American stockpiles because of the war in Ukraine.

The ministry said that “challenges, necessary lead times and feasible production activities in Japan,” will be considered in the study.

William LaPlante, the US undersecretary of defense for acquisition and sustainment, and Takeshi Ishikawa, commissioner of Japan’s Acquisition, Technology and Logistics Agency, led the meeting.

US and Japan to have a clear path for AIM-120 co-production by the end of the year

According to a Japanese official “there is a sense of urgency.” As the official explained to Nikkei Asia the countries wat to conclude the study and have a clear path for co-production by the end of the year.

The AMRAAM produced in Japan will backfill depleted American stockpiles and they are not going to be used in Ukraine.

The meeting was held as part of the DICAS (the Defense Industrial Cooperation, Acquisition and Sustainment Forum established by US President Joe Biden and then-Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida).

The defense industries’ integration (that is also going on between South Korea and the US) is aimed to tackle the problem of American production and to be ready for future wars – even in Asia

According to industry sources, Japan’s biggest manufacturer of air-to-air missiles, Mitsubishi Electric, will conduct have the license to produce the AMRAAM. In order to manufacture the AIM-120 Mitsubishi needs to expand its manufacturing lines.

The expansion of co-production of Patriot surface-to-air missiles in Japan was also part of the talks held between DICAS members. But, as Reuters reported in July, due to a shortage of a critical component manufactured by Boeing the production of Patriots in Japan has been delayed.

A follow-on to the AIM-7 Sparrow missile series

This print is available in multiple sizes from AircraftProfilePrints.com – CLICK HERE TO GET  YOURS.  F-16CM Fighting Falcon 20th Fighter Wing, 77th Fighter Squadron “Gamblers”, SW/94-0044 – Shaw AFB, SC

The AIM-120 AMRAAM is a follow-on to the AIM-7 Sparrow missile series. The missile is faster, smaller and lighter, and has improved capabilities against low-altitude targets. It incorporates active radar with an inertial reference unit and micro-computer system, which makes the missile less dependent upon the fire-control system of the aircraft. Once the missile closes on a target, its active radar guides it to intercept. This enables the pilot to aim and fire several missiles simultaneously at multiple targets. The pilot may then perform evasive maneuvers while the missiles guide themselves to their targets.

The AMRAAM program completed its conceptual phase in February 1979 when the US Air Force selected two of five competing contractors, Hughes Aircraft Co. and Raytheon Co., to continue into the validation phase.

During the 33-month validation phase the contractors continued missile development by building actual hardware to demonstrate their technological concepts. The program phase concluded in December 1981 after both contractors demonstrated that their flight-test missiles could satisfy Air Force and Navy requirements. The Air Force competitively selected Hughes Aircraft Co.’s Missile System Group, Canoga Park, Calif., as the full-scale developer.

A crucial role in the Ukraine war

During the full-scale development phase, Hughes Aircraft Co. completed missile development and Raytheon was selected as a follower producer. A production contract to both vendors was awarded in 1987. More than 200 of the test missiles were launched during flight tests at Eglin AFB, Fla.; White Sands Missile Range, N.M.; and Point Mugu, Calif. AMRAAM is combat tested, scoring kills during Operation Southern Watch, during Operation Allied Force and during Operation Inherent Resolve.

Procured by 40 countries and the US, the AMRAAM missile has been integrated onto the F-15A/B/C/D/E Eagle/Strike Eagle, F-16 Fighting Falcon, F/A-18 Super Hornet, F-22 Raptor, Eurofighter Typhoon, JAS-39 Gripen and all F-35 Joint Strike Fighter variants.

On Sep. 26 Biden said that “hundreds of additional Patriot and AMRAAM missiles over the next year” will be provided by Washington to Kyiv to help Ukraine defend its cities and its people from the Russian invasion.

This model is available from AirModels! CLICK HERE TO GET YOURS.

Japan and U.S. move closer to co-production of air-to-air missile - Nikkei Asia ( 닛케이 아시아 기사, 유료) 

[Minowski(김유철)]

기사 내용이 어쩌면 꽤 심각한 내용의 함의같네요. 암람, MSE 비축량 심각한 부족으로 암시되고... 그리고 MSE는 미일 공동생산 확대방침에도 불구하고 보잉의 부품공급 차질로 생산지연....

[위종민]

많이 모자라긴 한 것 같습니다. 최종 조립생산뿐만 아니라 안에 들어가는 각종 부품들도 일본에서 생산할 것 같기도..

[강준구]

GCAP에는 영국과 공동개발하는 미사일이 통합될테니. 순전히 F-35용으로 생산을 하는거겠네요.

[위종민]

전량을 미국에 비축 용도로 넘기는 건지, 아니면 일본 자체 소요의 비중은 몇 퍼센트나 될 지..

AIM-120은 레이더 바꾼 F-15J MSI에도 달긴 하네요. ( https://cafe.daum.net/NTDS/515G/4310 )