Posted on 11/25/2017 5:15:26 PM PST by 2ndDivisionVet
Japan is developing its own long-range cruise missile amid escalating tensions in the Korean peninsula. The missile, described as the Japanese Tomahawk, will reportedly be capable of being launched from aircraft, ships and land.
Research on these missiles will begin next year, reports Yomiuri, a Japanese news outlet. This will be Japan’s first full-fledged cruise missile. Apart from being a deterrent to North Korea, the so-called Japanese Tomahawk will also serve to “recapture remote islands occupied by enemies”, says the report, likely referring to the long-running feud that Japan has with China over a remote island in the South China Sea.
The report makes no mention of details such as the missile’s potential range, power or design. It is also not clear if the cruise missiles will be a whole new system built ground up or if it will simply be an upgrade of existing missiles.
The War Zone (WZ), points out that the original Tomahawk Land Attack Missile (TLAM) Block IV version that the Japanese missile is likely based on has a range of nearly 1,000 miles and will soon get an anti-ship sub-variant that its maker Raytheon is working on with the US Navy.
If Japan develops its own Tomahawk, rather than purchase them from the US as planned in May this year, it could give the Japan Self-Defense Forces an important boost in capabilities. Purchasing the weapon, however, would allow them to field it immediately.
As of now, Japan does not have too many missile options — the ASM-1 and ASM-2 missiles that the Japanese F-2 jets can carry are only capable of an approximate 100-mile range. Even the supersonic XASM-3 variant that is in development and touted to replace the ASM-1 and ASM-2 is unlikely to have an effective range of more than 125 miles, says the report.
That would be “ono”.
Can’t be aimed at us. Russia still has their islands.
So what is preventing them from purchasing a batch from us, while continuing development of their own?
Unless they are already to begin production?
That is my guess.
Japan will build “tomahawk” missiles. “Research” will begin next year. One would think the research would be done before the decision to build. Bad media I presume.
Yeah. Japs are good at keeping their mouths shut. Speculation is they’ve had nukes for decades, which is fine.
“the so-called Japanese Tomahawk will also serve to “recapture remote islands occupied by enemies””
Yikes.
Honda vs ford, which would you think more reliable
Ping
And, they likely have a nuke warhead on the shelf ready for it.
Yeah, whatever the hell that means. Guess we have to assume their journalism is on a par with ours.
Dubbed the “Japahawk.”
The US is trying to remain blameless in this. If it got out we were providing technical assistance to them, the lib media would have apoplexy. They are probably already thinking it, but can’t prove it.
But I will say we do share a common enemy, don’t we.
rwood
Especially if the Japanese see the need to use crowd pleasers to solve some problem.
they should call their version the Hakuho.
Given the radio call for an ASM is “vampire!!!”, I would call it “Yokai”.
‘Japan Tomahawk’
That has gotta be racist somehow : )
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