Description:
The Type 96 Multi-Purpose Missile System (MPMS) is a highly mobile, air transportable, surface-to-surface weapon system developed by Kawasaki for the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force (JGSDF). The weapon is fitted with a TV and infrared camera seeker connected to the launch unit through a fiber optic wire system. The operator is thus provided with real-time battlefield imagery and can search for targets of opportunity. The spectrum of targets available for Type 96 includes ground and sea targets such as main battle tanks and landing crafts and low-speed, low-altitude aircraft such as helicopters.
Basically, the Type 96 weapon is a long range Fiber Optic Guided Missile (FOGM) capable of engaging ground, sea and low airborne targets with great accuracy and minimized collateral damage thanks to the fiber optic-based guidance system, which provides real time imagery of the target area. Inertial navigation is used to reach the target area and then the guidance switches to Track-Via-Missile (TVM) mode. The JGSDF has deployed a six-cell Type 96 weapon launching system mounted on 4x4 utility vehicles. Japan's Type 96 is the counterpart to European Polyphem fiber optic guided missile system.
Specifications Dimensions: Diameter 160 mm, Length 2 m
Weights: Weight 60 kg (132 lb)
Operators
Japan
Image Gallery
Notes (*) lead contractor
IOC: Initial Operating Capability
FOC: Full Operating Capability
CEP: Circular Error Probable
Comm: Commissioning Date
Meters (m) Kilometers (km) Nautic Miles (nm) Inch (in) Yard (yd) Foot (ft) Millimeter (mm)
Pound (lb) Kilogram (kg) kN (KiloNewton) Ton (t)
Meters per Second (mps) Kilometers per Hour (kph) Knot (kt) Miles per Hour (mph)
Liter (l) Galon (gl)
Year (yr) Minutes (min) Second (sec)
Shaft-Horse-Power (shp)
Japan