Hyper Velocity Gliding Projectile

Japanese hypersonic glide vehicle

Hyper Velocity Gliding Projectile (HVGP) (島嶼防衛用高速滑空弾, Tōsyobōeiyō-kōsoku-kakkūdan) is a Japanese hypersonic glide vehicle being intended to be used as a hypersonic weapon in defending of remote islands.[1][2]

Design and capabilities

The HVGP is designed as a standoff missile capable of attacking enemy forces invading remote islands in Japan from outside the enemy weapon engagement zone.[3] The development of the HVGP is based on an incremental approach, with Block 1 being developed as an early version based on existing technology, followed by the development of a performance-enhancing Block 2.[3][4] Both of them are designed for launch using a solid-propellant rocket booster, with the projectile separating from it at a high altitude and then gliding at hypersonic speeds until impact.[2][5] In Block 2, glide performance will be further improved by introducing waverider technology.[3]

Projectile guidance would be primarily provided by satellite navigation, with inertial navigation system as a backup.[5] Radio-frequency imaging and infrared homing would also be used for guidance when engaging moving targets.[5] Special armour-piercing ammunitions, capable of penetrating the deck of aircraft carriers, are used to attack ships, and high-density explosively formed projectiles (EFPs), capable of area suppression, are used to attack ground targets.[5]

The range of Block 1 was estimated to be around 300–500 km (160–270 nmi),[3] but in order to provide a second strike capability, the range in Block 2 was increased to 3,000 km.[6]

Deployment

The plan is to complete the development of Block 1 by FY2025 and begin deployment in FY2026, and to begin deployment of Block 2 in the 2030s, deploying two battalions in the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force.[4][6] These batteries are being considered for deployment in Hokkaido and Kyushu.[7]

The development of a submarine-launched version is under consideration, reportedly.[8]

References

  1. ^ "Joint Systems Development Division", Acquisition, Technology & Logistics Agency, retrieved December 17, 2022
  2. ^ a b Dominguez 2022.
  3. ^ a b c d Fuse 2020, pp. 216–217.
  4. ^ a b Ministry of Defense (December 2022), 防衛力整備計画 [Defense Buildup Program] (PDF) (in Japanese)
  5. ^ a b c d Yeo 2020.
  6. ^ a b Matsuyama 2022.
  7. ^ "防衛省「高速滑空弾」部隊新設へ 九州と北海道に配備を検討" [Ministry of Defense to establish a new "Hyper Velocity Gliding Projectile" unit, considering deployment in Kyushu and Hokkaido.], NHK News (in Japanese), December 10, 2022
  8. ^ "「反撃能力」保有へ、長射程ミサイル同時開発を検討…極超音速など１０種類以上" [To possess "counterattack capability," simultaneous development of long-range missiles is being considered], Yomiuri Shimbun (in Japanese), December 1, 2022

Bibliography

  • Dominguez, Gabriel (July 26, 2022), "Japan advances hypersonics research with combustion flight test", The Japan Times
  • Fuse, Satoshi (2020), 先端技術と米中戦略戦争－宇宙、AI、極超音速兵器が変える戦い方 [Advanced Technology and the U.S.-China Strategic War: Space, AI, and Hypersonic Weapons Changing the Game] (in Japanese), Shuwa System Co.,ltd, ISBN 978-4798062242
  • Matsuyama, Naoki (December 27, 2022), 敵基地攻撃の長射程ミサイル、「5年後」「10年後」と段階的に配備 [Standoff missiles for enemy base attack will be deployed in phases of 5 and 10 years.], Asahi Shimbun (in Japanese), archived from the original on December 27, 2022, retrieved December 27, 2022
  • Yeo, Mike (March 14, 2020), "Japan unveils its hypersonic weapons plans", Defense News
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