Type 91 Surface-to-air missile

Infobox Weapon
name= Type 91


caption= Sample of Type 91
origin= flagicon|Japan Japan
type=Manportable surface-to-air missile
is_ranged=
is_explosive=yes
is_missile=yes
is_UK=
service= 1994 - Present
used_by= Japan
wars=
designer= Toshiba
design_date= 1990
manufacturer= Toshiba
unit_cost=
production_date= 1991 - 1993 (Original) 2007 - Present (Type 91 Kai)
number=
variants= "See Variants"
spec_label= Type 91 Kin-SAM
weight= 11.5 kg
length= 1.43 m
part_length=
width=
height=
diameter= 80 mm
crew= 1
cartridge=
caliber=
barrels=
action=
rate=
velocity=
range= 300 to 5000 m
max_range=
feed=
sights= Optical sight
filling=
filling_weight=
detonation=
yield=
armour=
primary_armament=
secondary_armament=
engine= Solid Rocket Motor
engine_power=
transmission=
payload_capacity=
fuel_capacity=
pw_ratio=
suspension=
clearance=
vehicle_range=
speed=
guidance= Infrared homing, electro-opticalnihongo|Type 91 surface-to-air missile|91式携帯地対空誘導弾|91しきけいたいちたいくうゆうどうだん|91 shikikeitaichitaikuuyudoudan is a Japanese man-portable surface to air missile. It is similar in appearance to the US FIM-92 Stinger missile [http://www13.plala.or.jp/aconit/e-nerima_soubi.html Exhibision of Equipments.] Retrieved on July 29, 2008.] .

Development

Development work on an advanced infra-red seeker began in 1979 at the Technical Research and Development Institute (TRDI), funded by the Japanese Defence Agency. In 1982 the Japanese Self Defence Force began looking for a replacement for the FIM-92 Stinger which was then in service. Development of the missile then known as Keiko or SAM-X was deferred until 1987. Toshiba took over the project in 1988 and began engineering development. The development was completed in 1990, and low rate production was started in 1991. The missile was initially designated the Type 91 Kin-SAM. It was first deployed in 1994.

In 2007, the Type 91 Kai was delivered after being produced to replace the original Type 91 with several improvements including its motor and capability to be fired in the dark.

Description

The missile is similar to the Stinger missile it replaced, with two rocket solid motors, an initial booster motor and a sustainer. The seeker however is an advanced imaging seeker operating in both the visual and infra-red frequency ranges: 0.4 to 0.7 µm and 3.5 to 5.2 µm respectively. On launch the missile records the targets image profile and is able to ignore defensive countermeasures. It is possible the missile may also be resistant to laser based countermeasures.

Improvements of the Type 91 Kai included missile with image-infra-red seeker, smokeless motor and the capability to have faster shooting and target acquisition and was also improved for the ability to be used at night.

Variants

A vehicle based variant, the Type 93 Surface-to-air missile launcher has also been developed.

An improved version of the Type 91, called the Type 91 Kai, was delivered to replaced the original.

References

* "Jane's Land-Based Air Defence 2005-2006"
*
*

External Links

* [http://www.mod.go.jp/gsdf/equipment/index.html#/detail/0/0_3/ Official JGSDF Page]