The or SAM-4 or is a Japanese developed

surface-to-air missile A surface-to-air missile (SAM), also known as a ground-to-air missile (GTAM) or surface-to-air guided weapon (SAGW), is a missile designed to be launched from the ground or the sea to destroy aircraft or other missiles. It is one type of anti-ai ...

system currently in service with the JGSDF. The SAM's vehicle chassis is based on the Kato Works Ltd/

Mitsubishi Heavy Industries is a Japanese Multinational corporation, multinational engineering, electrical equipment and electronics corporation headquartered in Tokyo, Japan. MHI is one of the core companies of the Mitsubishi Group and its automobile division is the prede ...

NK series heavy crane truck. It uses a state-of-the-art

active electronically scanned array An active electronically scanned array (AESA) is a type of phased array antenna, which is a computer-controlled antenna array in which the beam of radio waves can be electronically steered to point in different directions without moving the a ...

radar.

Overview

The Chu-SAM air defense system is based on 8×8 cross country unarmored trucks, and includes a command center, radar unit, launcher, and transloader, with each unit equipped with six missiles that travel at Mach 2.5. The system can track up to 100 targets simultaneously and target 12 at the same time, engaging fighter jets, helicopters, and

cruise missile A cruise missile is an unmanned self-propelled guided missile that sustains flight through aerodynamic lift for most of its flight path. Cruise missiles are designed to deliver a large payload over long distances with high precision. Modern cru ...

s.100 Percent of Targets Destroyed: Japan Is Testing New Missile in US
- Thediplomat.com, 13 November 2015

Upgrade

Chu-SAM ''Kai''

In 2014, the JGSDF began evaluation of the upgraded Chu-SAM ''Kai'', which uses improved sensor and networking features for better range and targeting of more complex cruise and anti-surface missile threats. During the summer of 2015, 10 Chu-SAM Kai missiles were test fired at

White Sands Missile Range White Sands Missile Range (WSMR) is a United States Army military testing area and firing range located in the US state of New Mexico. The range was originally established in 1941 as the Alamogordo Bombing and Gunnery Range, where the Trinity t ...

in the United States and successfully intercepted various targets, including a GQM-163 Coyote supersonic target drone; White Sands hosted the launches because the location's large size and controlled airspace allowed for testing conditions unavailable in Japan. Operational tests of the Chu-SAM ''Kai'' took place at White Sands, in 2016. All procurements are expected to be completed by the FY2032 budget.

Type 23 ship-to-air missile

The Chu-SAM ''Kai'' missile is also planned to be converted to the long-range ship-to-air missile with an ejectable rocket booster.Defense Programs and Budget of Japan FY2017, page.31
- mod.go.jp, March 2017 It was successfully test fire onboard '' JS Asuka'' in December 2022. The new missile's main body is based on the technology of the Type 03 medium-range surface-to-air missile (modified), which is currently being deployed by the

Japan Ground Self-Defense Force The , , also referred to as the Japanese Army, is the land warfare branch of the Japan Self-Defense Forces. Created on July 1, 1954, it is the largest of the three service branches. New military guidelines, announced in December 2010, direct ...

(JGSDF), and the booster is based on the technology of the Type 07 VL-ASROC in service with the JMSDF. The ship-to-air missile, an upgraded version of the Chu-SAM ''Kai'' formerly known as the A-SAM, began procurement in FY2024 as the Type 23 ship-to-air missile.防衛力抜本的強化の進捗と予算令和7年度概算要求の概要. p.29
/ref>

Chu-SAM ''Kai'' (future version)

From FY2023 to FY2028, the Chu-SAM ''Kai'' will be upgraded to develop a new missile with enhanced intercept capability against short-range ballistic missiles and

hypersonic glide vehicle A hypersonic glide vehicle (HGV) is a type of warhead for ballistic missiles that can maneuver and glide at hypersonic speed. It is used in conjunction with ballistic missiles to significantly change their trajectories after launch. Convention ...

s.令和4年度政策評価（事前の事業評価）03式中距離地対空誘導弾（改善型）能力向上
/ref>

Deployment

* since 2003 * at Camp Matsudo in

Matsudo, Chiba 260px, Matsudo City Hall is a city in Chiba Prefecture, Japan. , the city had an estimated population of 499,533 in 242,918 households and a population density of 8,138 persons per km2. The total area of the city is . Geography Matsudo is locat ...

since 2007 * in

Ono, Hyōgo 270px, Ono City Hall is a city located in Hyōgo Prefecture, Japan. , the city had an estimated population of 47,609 in 20483 households and a population density of 510 persons per km². The total area of the city is . Geography Ono is locat ...

since 2008

Gallery

image:JGSDF Type03 SAM (launcher) 04.jpg, Fire position image:JGSDF Type03 SAM (rader) 01.jpg, Radar vehicle with active electronically scanned array image:JGSDF Type03 SAM (transporter) 01.jpg, Ammo transporter image:JGSDF Type03 SAM (rader) 03.jpg, Power vehicle

Notes

External links

*JGSDF official(Japanese
陸上自衛隊
{{DEFAULTSORT:Type 3 Chu-SAM Mitsubishi Electric products, services and standards Surface-to-air missiles of Japan 21st-century surface-to-air missiles Military equipment introduced in the 2000s