AAM-1 (Japanese missile) explained

Is Missile:yes
AAM-1
Origin:Japan
Type:Short-range, infrared homing air-to-air missile
Used By:Japan
Manufacturer:Mitsubishi Heavy Industries
Unit Cost:• ¥3,000,000 (1968)
• ¥4,190,000 (1969)
Production Date:1969
Service:1969-1986
Speed:1.7 Mach
Guidance:infrared homing
Launch Platform:Aircraft:
Number:around 400

The Mitsubishi AAM-1 was a Japanese infrared homing air-to-air missile developed from the AIM-9B Sidewinder missile.

Operational history

Starting in 1969, the AAM-1 was produced by Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, with around 400 produced in total. It served as the standard armament for Japan Air Self-Defense Force F-104J while used on North American F-86F and Mitsubishi F-1. Being slightly shorter and lighter compared to the AIM-9E Sidewinder, the AAM-1 had inferior performances compared to the American missile which was entering service in Japan. The unit cost of an AIM-9B purchased through Foreign Military Sales was about 1 million yen, while that of AAM-1 was about 3.5 million yen in 1968 and about 4.19 million yen in 1969. Due to higher cost and inferior characteristics, the procurement of the AAM-1 was halted in 1972 with the last examples withdrawn for service in 1986.[1]

Operators

Notes and References

  1. https://www.forecastinternational.com/samples/F659_CompleteSample.pdf The Market for Air-to-Air Missiles