Long-range stand-off weapon: Successful launch test of HGV/Block 1
– The Japanese Ministry of Defense unveils Block 1 with a range of 500-1000 km for the first time
– HGV/Block 2 with a significantly longer range is also under development
Summary from JSF article.
Japanese Ministry of Defense:
On February 7, they announced that they had conducted a launch test of the new weapon HGV/Block 1.
They also announced that Block 2 with a significantly longer range is under development.
HGV/Block 1 launch test results announced:
1. Hypersonic glide vehicles (HGVs) are long-range stand-off weapons with warheads.
2. “Block 1” is an early production model with a range of 500-1000 km.
Progress of stand-off defense:
The Ministry of Defense has already conducted four tests of the high-velocity glide missile Block 1.
1st launch: August 25, 2023 (Japan time)
2nd launch: November 2, 2023 (Japan time)
3rd launch: November 23, 2023 (Japan time)
4th launch: January 25, 2024 (Japan time)
It is not specified where the test will take place in California.
It is likely to be the US military’s Point Mugu launch site.
Photos of the launch of HGV/Block1:
The Ministry of Defense released four photos of the launch of HGV/Block1.
The Ministry of Defense’s Defense Technology Agency (ATLA) posted a high-resolution photo on social media.
The other three photos are low-resolution photos.
Configuration of HGV/Block1:
1. Solid fuel rocket booster (1st stage) + glide warhead (HGV).
2. The booster and glide warhead are separated.
This is a hypersonic glide missile weapon that uses a ballistic missile warhead as a glide warhead.
Block 1 is a hypersonic weapon:
1. The glide warhead performs a skip glide flight after the booster is separated.
2. It flies like a skidding stone between the atmosphere and outer space.
This is effectively a hypersonic weapon (similar to a maneuverable ballistic missile).
*HGV: Hypersonic glide vehicle… hypersonic glide body, hypersonic glide warhead
Planned deployment of HGV/Block 1:
Final performance verification tests will be conducted in FY2025, with the aim of deployment in FY2026.
https://news.yahoo.co.jp/expert/articles/d968c39a1bdd4b88c6d34369220392d147901df9