A concept image of Japan’s scramjet-powered hypersonic missile. (Japan MoD)
Japan’s Acquisition, Technology & Logistics Agency (ATLA) has started prototyping components in support of its programme to develop a
scramjet-powered hypersonic missile.
An ATLA spokesperson told
Janes
on 19 January that ATLA is building prototypes of the new missile’s scramjet engine, its rocket engine, its warhead, and its seeker.
The ATLA spokesperson said, “The project aims to develop missiles that fly at hypersonic speeds as a stand-off defence capability that can deal with troops and naval vessels invading into our territory.” The project was previously known as Japan’s hypersonic cruise missile programme.
The spokesperson added that Japan’s fiscal year (FY) 2026 defence budget has allocated funding worth JPY73.2 billion (USD462 million) as expenses for “designing the [hypersonic missile], the manufacturing of prototypes for flight tests, and other usages”.
In addition, Japan’s FY 2026 defence budget includes JPY30.1 billion for the “acquisition of hypersonic missiles and ground equipment”, according to the budget document.
The ATLA spokesperson also confirmed that the scramjet-powered hypersonic weapon development programme, which began in 2023, is scheduled to be completed by 2031.
In developing the missile and hypersonic technologies, ATLA has partnered with Mitsubishi Heavy Industries (MHI). MHI’s Research & Innovation Center in Nagasaki operates a hypersonic wind tunnel, which is capable of simulating speeds beyond Mach 5 to support the development.
In addition to the scramjet-powered hypersonic missile, ATLA is developing a Hyper Velocity Gliding Projectile (HVGP) with MHI. Japan’s Ministry of Defense (MoD) aims to deploy the HVGP in 2026.
Once fired, the HVGP’s projectile separates from its rocket at a high altitude and glides to its target at a hypersonic speed, guided by inertial navigation system (INS) and GPS.
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