Japan to develop missile-detecting drone: report

[A.Rafay]

TOKYO: Japan is planning to develop an unmanned drone that could help detect a North Korean nuclear missile attack and to counter China's military buildup, a report said Sunday.

The defence ministry has demanded 3 billion yen ($372 million) over the next four years to develop the aircraft, which would come into operation in 2020, the Yomiuri Shimbun reported without citing sources. The development of the drone, which will be equipped with an infrared sensor to seek out low-altitude missiles, comes after Japan failed to detect North Korea's failed rocket launch in April.

The launch, described by Pyongyang as an attempt go put a satellite into orbit but condemned by world leaders as a disguised ballistic missile test, saw the rocket disintegrate over the Yellow Sea just two minutes after launch. But Japan was forced to rely on information from the United States and media reports after its own detection systems failed. Japanese officials later said its alert system could not detect the rocket because of its low-altitude flight path.

Japan is also embroiled in a tense territorial dispute with China over a group of islands known as the Senkakus in Japan and Diaoyus in China. Chinese vessels have moved in and out of what Japan says is its sovereign territory over the last two months, with six Chinese government ships sailing into the Japanese-controlled waters Friday, according to the Japanese coastguard.

Japan to develop missile-detecting drone - thenews.com.pk

 

[SinoChallenger]

So that gives them a few minutes for last prayers.

 

[Kyusuibu Honbu]

Japanese drone

 

[JSCh]

Threat of North Korea is always a very good excuse for the Japanese military.

 

[anon45]

Sounds like a poor substitute to an early warning satellite. Can they not develop one of their own?

There are better ways the money could be spent imo.

 

[applesauce]

the idea is to intercept the missile in boost phase, the biggest draw back is that you have to be in enemy airspace, maybe its viable versus NK but sending a drone into china? not unless they're looking for war

 

[Oldman1]

Japanese drone

Thats not much use for detecting ballistic missile launch.

More for surveillance like this one used in Afghanistan.

 

[Type 052D]

Won't the PLAAF and PLAN's Type 052D HQ-9 AAD shoot down such a drone?

 

[kawaraj]

North Korea disregarding, S.Korea also comes in the view of threat source these days as they are still occupying the island of Takeshima with more aggressiveness.

 

[jhungary]

Sounds like a poor substitute to an early warning satellite. Can they not develop one of their own?

There are better ways the money could be spent imo.

I think they are not allowed to develope Military Satellite or AWACS on that matter, correct me if i am wrong

 

[mosu]

Japan to develop missile-detecting drone

Japan is planning to develop an unmanned drone that could help detect a North Korean nuclear missile attack and to counter China’s military buildup, a report said on Sunday.
The defence ministry has demanded 3 billion yen ($372 million) over the next four years to develop the aircraft, which would come into operation in 2020, the Yomiuri Shimbun reported without citing sources.
The development of the drone, which will be equipped with an infrared sensor to seek out low-altitude missiles, comes after Japan failed to detect North Korea’s failed rocket launch in April.
The launch, described by Pyongyang as an attempt go put a satellite into orbit but condemned by world leaders as a disguised ballistic missile test, saw the rocket disintegrate over the Yellow Sea just two minutes after launch.
But Japan was forced to rely on information from the United States and media reports after its own detection systems failed.

Japanese officials later said its alert system could not detect the rocket because of its low-altitude flight path.
Japan is also embroiled in a tense territorial dispute with China over a group of islands known as the Senkakus in Japan and Diaoyus in China.
Chinese vessels have moved in and out of what Japan says is its sovereign territory over the last two months, with six Chinese government ships sailing into the Japanese-controlled waters Friday, according to the Japanese coastguard.