Type 96 Multi-Purpose Missile System

The Type 96 Multi-Purpose Missile System (96式多目的誘導弾システム) is an Anti-tank/Landing craft missile used by the Japanese army as JGSDF. It is the first Japanese missile system that uses a complete digitally controlled interface.

History
Development of the Type 96 system began in 1986 by JGSDF Ground Research and Development Command.

Description
The Type 96 missile has a large warhead which can destroy most tanks with a direct hit from the top, but it can also be used in an anti-helicopter role. The missile is guided by an operator with an infrared image monitor in the launch vehicle. An optical fiber connects the flying missile's infrared camera and its guidance system. It can also be fired vertically and the fibre-optic cable is paid out from the back of the missile as it flies.

The warhead is too big for use by attack tanks because it is also designed to destroy landing craft (LCAC). Japanese officers estimate that no tank can survive a direct hit to the weakpoint of its top armor by the Type 96 Multi-Purpose Missile System. This is a result of the missile striking the tank from the top, which is not so heavily armoured as the front and side sections of the tank.

It is designed to destroy remote targets before a landing, such as armoured fighting vehicles or small landing ships. The gunner carries out target selection and acquisition and the automatic tracker locks onto the image of the target. Tracking commands are relayed to the ground station computer, which sends steering command data up the fibre-optic cable to guide the missile. The gunner can also carry out manual tracking.

Operators

 * 🇯🇵: 37 Sets (2012)

Similar missiles

 * MGM-157 EFOGM
 * Polyphem missile
 * ALAS (missile)