AAM-2
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.
Also recorded as Mitsubishi AAM-2 · AAM2
AAM-2
Hunini · CC BY-SA 4.0
- Name
- AAM-2
- Field
- AIM-9 Sidewinder
- Region
- Japan
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In this article
Key facts
Key facts
• Is Missile — yes • Name — AAM-2 • Origin — Japan • Type — Short-range, infrared homing air-to-air missile • Used By — Japan • Manufacturer — Mitsubishi Heavy Industries • Guidance — infrared homing • Launch Platform — Aircraft: • F-4EJ Phantom II
Development
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.
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- Japan
Licensing
Text attribution
Part of the biographical narrative on this page reuses licensed material. Its origin, revision and licence are recorded here.
The biographical narrative on this page is based on the Wikipedia article AAM-2, revision 1301187155 (EN edition), by its contributors. VALÉORINE has edited that text and built its own documentary record around it. The reused material is available under CC BY-SA 4.0, and this page's reuse of it is offered under the same licence. Everything else on this page — the chronology, the holdings, the evidence, the plates and the connections — is VALÉORINE's own record. Sources and licences.
The Encyclopedia exists whether or not anything is for sale. Corrections are recorded rather than overwritten, and every version of this record is kept. Published 14 August 2026.
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