AAM-2
{{Unreferenced|date=April 2021}}
{{Distinguish|AAM-N-2 Sparrow|XAAM-A-2 Falcon}}
{{Infobox weapon
| is_missile = yes
| name = AAM-2
| image = 250px
| image_size = 300
| caption = AAM-2 Prototype
| origin = Japan
| type = Short-range, infrared homing air-to-air missile
| used_by = Japan
| manufacturer = Mitsubishi Heavy Industries
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| guidance = infrared homing
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The Mitsubishi AAM-2 was a Japanese prototype for a limited all aspect infrared homing air-to-air missile developed based on the American AIM-4D Falcon missile. It never reached production.
Development
In 1968, Japan selected a modified version of the F-4E as the next main future fighter of the Japan Air Self-Defense Force with the possibility to employ the AIM-4D being an important factor of the decision.
The development of the XAAM-2 was started in 1970 as an air-to-air missile for the newly acquired F-4EJ. It was developed by the Technical Research and Development Institute and Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, aiming to exceed the performance of the original AIM-4D.
The guidance system used infrared homing like the AIM-4D, but improved to a limited all-aspect infrared homing with the ability to attack from the front and side of the enemy aircraft with the reliability of electronic devices also improved. The missile employed a higher performance rocket motor expanding its range. In addition, the warhead power was increased compared to the AIM-4D, and it was equipped with a proximity fuze, solving major issues of the AIM-4D, such as the small warhead and the lack of a proximity fuze. Therefore, although the AAM-2 is very similar in appearance to the model AIM-4, it employed a different motor, warhead and guidance system.
While being successfully tested, the AAM-2 never entered production due to higher cost compared to the American-made AIM-4D, with a high surplus stock after the Vietnam War. Japan rather imported the AIM-4D to equip its F-4EJ aircraft. The development of XAAM-2 was discontinued in 1975.
See also
- {{lwc|AAM-1 (Japanese missile)|AAM-1}}
- {{lwc|AAM-3}}
- {{lwc|AAM-5 (Japanese missile)|AAM-5}}
- {{lwc|AIM-9 Sidewinder|AIM-9L Sidewinder}}
- {{lwc|K-13 (missile)|K-13}}
- {{lwc|R-60 (missile)|R-60}}
- {{lwc|R.550 Magic}}
- {{lwc|Python (missile)|Shafrir-1}}
{{Japanese missiles}}
{{missile-stub}}