SAR-778 Sakura
| SAR-778 Sakura | |
|---|---|
| File:SAR-778 Sakura.png Several launch configurations of the SAR-778 LRAAM. | |
| Type | Long-range air-to-air and air to ground missile |
| Place of origin |  Carthage |
| Service history | |
| In service | 2004-present |
| Used by | Carthage Gensokyo Republic Japan |
| Production history | |
| Designer | RMA Corporation Cordoba Aerospace |
| Designed | 1999-2004 |
| Manufacturer | RMA Corporation Cordoba Aerospace |
| Unit cost | $1.5 million (FY2012) |
| Produced | 2004-present |
| No. built | 34,000+ |
| Variants | SAR-778AM1 |
| Specifications | |
| Weight | 190 kg (420 lb) |
| Length | 3.7 m (12 ft) 4.4 m (14 ft) (w/booster) |
| Diameter | 210 mm (8.3 in) |
| Warhead | 22 kg (49 lb) continuous-rod warhead |
Detonation mechanism | Laser fuse Backup impact fuse |
| Wingspan | 460 mm (18 in) |
| Propellant | 2-stage multi-pulse solid rocket (SAR-778) |
Operational range | 220 km (140 mi) (air-to-air) 320 km (200 mi) (air-to-ground) 140 km (87 mi) (surface launch) |
| Flight ceiling | 27,000 m (89,000 ft) |
| Speed | 4,200 km/h (2,600 mph) |
Guidance system | Dual-band active radar homing Home-on-jam capability Inertial/GPS w/data link |
Launch platform | Multi-platform |
The SAR-778 Sakura, formerly classified as the Type-96 is a modern all-weather multi-target anti-aircraft and anti-radiation missile system developed and manufactured by the RMA Corporation and Cordoba Aerospace. Designed to be launched from both aircraft and both warship and land vehicle vertical launch systems, it is a fire-and-forget missile with lock-on after launch capability and high maneuverability. In surface use, it provides medium-range SAM capability, while in air use it combines the roles of a long-range air-to-air missile and an anti-radiation missile for SEAD missions. Introduced in 2004, it replaced the Type-89 in service with the militaries of Carthage and Japan.
Development
The Type-89 MRAAM was introduced in 1972 as a semi-automatic radar homing (SARH) medium-range air-to-air missile, intended to be the primary armament of the AEF-30 Eagle, AEF-32 Falcon, and AEF-33 Gyrfalcon series of fighters. The type served throughout the 1980s and into the 1990s with a series of upgrades, adding solid-state electronics, a monopulse seeker, an active radar fuze, and better low-altitude, turning, and short-range performance. By 1990, the Type-89 had a successful track record in numerous simulated and real engagements and became a cornerstone of the Carthaginian fighter arsenal. However, entering the mid-1990s, the Type-89 was beginning to demonstrate its age in the face of new developments in propulsion and a winding down of production contracts as stockpiles grew throughout the more peaceful era.
A number of new technology demonstrator programs began in the early 1990s, including Ardent Diamond, a lifting body design testing tail-control guidance as a means of improving missile agility and energy retention at range. Separately, test stand demonstrations of new, more ECM-resistant radar seekers were conducted at the Al-Qadir test facility, considered for adoption either as a retrofit package for the Type-89 or for a notional future BVRAAM. The Air Forces' Future Missile Propulsion program also developed several ramjet concepts, using recycled and heavily modified Type-89 bodies as a basis, validating projections of significantly increased range for the proposed air-breathing engines.
Next Generation Air-to-Air Missile program
In 1996, the Air Forces initiated the Next Generation Air-to-Air Missile (NGAAM) program, with the goal of developing a new missile to be deployed from future fighters. At this time, the Advanced Multirole Program had not yet begun flight trials but proposals had already been received that featured internal weapons bays, such as the Mehumd-Tabnit XF-37. The NGAAM program as a result adopted strict size requirements to support internal weapons carriage, a feature that the existing "full-fin" Type-89 did not possess. Other requirements included a range of no less than 150 kilometres (93 mi), improved resistance to electronic countermeasures, data link integration, and a significantly improved no-escape zone. Six companies announced their intention to bid on the program, including the RMA Corporation in conjunction with Cordoba Aerospace, Mehmud-Tabnit, and an Acheron Technologies/Mitsubishi partnership.
In 1997, with the Advanced Multirole Program having begun early flight tests, the program requirements were changed in light of projected future air doctrine. With payload space more limited in future fighters, Air Forces leadership began pushing for multi-role weapons. The Type-57 anti-radiation missile was far too large to fit in the internal payload bay of any of the competitors in the AMP fly-off, which would require either stealth-compromising external carriage or forgoing SEAD support from the Air Forces' newest fighter. In response, the NGAAM program requirements were altered to include air-to-ground SEAD capability while maintaining the size requirements of NGAAM, with the new program being dubbed the Compact Dual-Role Missile (CDRM) program.
Compact Dual-Role Missile program
In September 1997, the updated requirements were issued under the Compact Dual-Role Missile program. While retaining size requirements to allow internal carriage in stealth aircraft, additional requirements focused on air-to-ground roles were added, including greater accuracy against ground targets with reduced susceptibility to jamming, and a longer loiter time to counter ground-based radar. The RMA Corporation in conjunction with Cordoba Aerospace proposed a dual-stage solid rocket missile incorporating a dual-band radar seeker roughly the same size as the Type-89, while the Acheron Technologies/Mitsubishi team proposed a slightly larger single-stage rocket/ramjet design with a lifting body.
The Acheron/Mitsubishi design was considered more capable and ambitious, but also more technologically risky given its reliance on ramjet propulsion rather than conventional solid rockets. The RMA/Cordoba design was considered safer and could be placed into service more quickly. By August 1998, it was expected that the RMA/Cordoba design would be the likely winner, but a drawn out political battle waged in Air Forces and legislative circles over the winner, who could be expected to provide tens of thousands of missiles to the Air Forces over the next few decades. In a surprise move, the Acheron/Mitsubishi design was selected as the winner in September, provided that the RMA/Cordoba seeker could be adapted to the proposed missile body. The missile would be classified as the SAR-775 Nagisa, and was expected to enter service in 2007.
Concurrently, the Tarnhelm program in development by the Army and Navy was also looking for a new missile in the same size range as the CDRM to form the medium-range segment of the future air defense system's engagement envelope. The pace of the project required a missile that could be put into production relatively quickly, and the two services expressed interest in the designs submitted to the CDRM program as a means of acquiring such a new missile quickly and relatively cheaply, with commonality of design an added benefit. In October the Air Forces entered negotiations with the Army and Navy to assess their willingness to contribute to the program and the compatibility of their demands and proposed features.
Following protracted negotiations, the Army and Navy announced in April 1999 that they had selected the RMA/Cordoba design to serve as the medium-range SAM for their joint missile system, including the development of a new anti-ballistic missile variant. The decisive factors were the greater reliability and lower risk of the system, as the Army and Navy were unwilling to jeopardize the completion of the Tarnhelm program for the risky ramjet design, and already possessed a longer-range missile in the form of the SAR-777 Madoka. At the same time, the Navy announced it would procure the SAR-775 upon its entry into service.
The first prototypes of the RMA/Cordoba design began captive carry tests in 2002, followed by more extensive operational testing throughout 2003. The design was classified in 2004 as the SAR-778 Sakura. The first operational missiles were delivered to the Navy in July 2004, reaching initial operating capability in November. Low-rate initial production continued through 2006 when full rate production was authorized alongside the delivery of Revision 3 software, which added provisional air-to-air capability.
Air Forces adoption
By 2004, it had become clear that delays with the SAR-775's ramjet had pushed the program significantly behind schedule. Timelines projected development to be at least 14 months behind schedule, with further delays expected. By this time, the winning AMP design, the RFM-202 Shaheen had already been selected and was expected to enter service in 2009. The possibility arose that the RFM-202 would enter service with neither a suitable BVRAAM nor a compatible ARM, leaving it severely handicapped as a combat platform. In November 2004, the Air Forces began an analysis of alternatives to address this issue, considering options from an updated Type-89 with clipped fins to provide a basic armament, to a completely new missile, to adapting other missiles in inventory as a stopgap measure.
With the delivery of air-to-air capable SAR-778s to the Navy in 2006, the Air Forces eventually settled on a solution. The SAR-775 program was significantly reorganized, with greater oversight from in-house Air Forces development labs and a thorough audit of the program. A new in-service date of 2011 was set, which was considered more realistic given the technical complexities of the program. In the interim, the SAR-778 was scheduled to be adopted to fulfill the CDRM requirements until the SAR-775 entered service. The first deliveries of the SAR-778 to the Air Forces began in 2007, including the updated Revision 3A software which improved air-to-air capabilities.
Following the introduction of the SAR-775 in early 2012, further Air Forces procurement of the SAR-778 was ended with the final lot being delivered in July 2012. Existing stockpiles are expected to remain in service until sufficient quantities of SAR-775s are available to replace them, with the Air Forces considering several future options for the stockpile, including maintaining the missiles as a reserve or sale to the Navy or Army for air defense use.
Operational features summary
Sakura was originally developed to fill two primary roles: that of a long-range air-to-air missile and a relatively compact anti-radiation missile. Previous generations of anti-radiation missile were often more than twice the weight of similar air-to-air missiles as a result of their large warheads and the desire for long range, but Sakura was developed to reduce these requirements through greater accuracy. In air-to-air use, the missile functions as a standard active radar homing unit, with high maneuverability provided by 12 control surfaces and thrust vectoring vanes and data link facilities for lock-on after launch capability. Using a full-length first stage, the missile can engage maneuvering targets up to 220 km (135 mi) away.
Against ground targets, the missile operates in a home-on-jam mode with the ability to store the heading and intensity of detected radar installations even if they cease transmitting. The missile is designed to withhold ignition of later propellant stages for improved loiter capability if targets evade immediate detection, and to continue on course based on inertial and satellite guidance if radar contact is lost. It is also capable of being used in a self-defense mode, where it is automatically cued and launched by the carrier aircraft to intercept detected radar emissions, and in self-detection mode, where the missile can be launched in response to a potential threat detected by the missile's onboard sensors.
For surface-launched variants, a booster is attached to increase launch speed and reduce range loss from lower-altitude launch. It is the most common variant of the missile and is used on warships as a medium interceptor against aircraft and cruise missiles and as a short-range air defense missile for ground formations as part of the Tarnhelm air defense system. All versions are equipped with folding fins for better stowage, and can be quad-packed in standard Mark 18 VLS cells.
An ABM version (SAR-778AM1B) was developed beginning in 2007, and entered service in 2011. It is differentiated from standard SAR-778 models by using a different motor, warhead, guidance system, and a much larger VL booster, but retains the same maneuvering and control system.
Description
Seeker
The SAR-778 uses a multi-band active radar seeker, incorporating both L-band and X-band systems to improve detection range and target discrimination. The longer-wavelength L-band radar provides long-range detection and tracking capability while the X-band radar provides more accurate terminal guidance. In addition, the onboard radar receiver can detect and home in on radio and radar transmitters, including AWACS aircraft. This makes defeating the seeker more difficult as attempts at noise jamming instead allow the seeker home in on the jammer or any air defense radar tracking the launching aircraft. As with other missiles, it includes a data link to allow off-boresight and lock-on after launch capability.
The AM1 specification adds various software improvements to the existing seeker, as well as an upgraded sensor for greater accuracy and improved detection distance.
For the ABM SAR-778AM1B, the guidance system was changed to a dual-mode X-band radar and imaging infrared array, to improve detection of reentry vehicles and discrimination of potential penetration aids. The guidance change results in a different external seeker head, the most obvious external change to the missile. Due to the increasing sophistication of electronic countermeasures, the IR/active radar seeker is being considered for adoption in the air-to-air variant.
Fuze
Three fuzes are normally carried: a primary laser fuze, a backup impact fuze, and a timed self-destruct fuze. The laser fuze allows proximity detonations to increase kill probability against aircraft, eliminating the need for a direct impact. In the event of failure, the impact fuze will automatically detonate the warhead upon collision. The self-destruct fuze activates after the missile has expended its motor or if it cannot acquire any further targets. The first stage also has its own self-destruct system to avoid potential collateral damage.
Warhead
All anti-air and anti-ground models are equipped with a 22 kg (49 lb) continuous-rod warhead. When detonated, the bundle of rods around the explosive charge rapidly expand, forming a cutting ring of metal designed to slice through aircraft and radar components. Combined with the blast effect, the warhead is effective against most soft targets including aircraft, radar installations, and light vehicles. As with all newer weapons, the warhead complies with insensitive munitions standards and has a greatly reduced chance of unwanted and sympathetic detonation when damaged.
The AM1B ABM variant uses a kinetic impact warhead supported by a smaller shaped charge warhead, using a hit-to-kill mission profile rather than a proximity detonation.
Propulsion and control
The SAR-778 Sakura is equipped with a two-stage multi-pulse solid rocket motor, providing increased range and flexibility of flight profile compared to single-stage rocket motors. The first stage is a dual-thrust motor designed to rapidly accelerate the missile before switching to a sustainment speed for increased range during GPS/INS mode. Once exhausted, the first stage is jettisoned to reduce weight and improve terminal maneuverability. The second stage has a number of solid fuel sections separated by discs, allowing the rocket to be fired in pulses. This ensures the missile retains sufficient fuel for terminal homing operations, reducing the chances of enemy evasion. In short-range launches, the first stage is jettisoned early once the missile has reached its maximum speed.
The AM1B uses the same missile body, and maneuverability components as the standard air-to-air model, but uses a high-thrust rocket motor that eliminates loitering capabilities and increases terminal intercept speed to over 2,700 m/s (8,900 fps). The AM1B also uses a larger vertical launch motor than the standard SAR-778 surface-launched variant to increase interception range. Both the SAR-778 and SAR-778AM1 are guided via a total of 12 aerodynamic control surfaces plus thrust-vectoring vanes, making the missile capable of maneuvers up to 65 g and turn rates of 60°/sec. The SAR-778AM1 and AM1B variants also introduce pulse solid rocket motors for further increased maneuverability.
Control surfaces on all models incorporate folding fins to improve clearance in these spaces. This allows the missile to be carried in internal payload bays and quad-packed in VLS tubes.
Data link
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The onboard data link allow missiles to be cued against targets after launch, enabling full off-boresight and lock-on after launch capability. It can also provide mid-course updates during flight to ensure maximum accuracy against maneuvering targets. The ABM variant is normally remotely guided throughout most of its flight via track-via-missile homing. Beginning with the baseline AM1 variant, the data link software and hardware has been shared between the SAI-774 Sayaka and other missiles of the -770 series, including the Sakura.
Maintenance and support
Initially missiles were delivered as standard, stand-alone units, but current models are packaged as sealed rounds in storage containers that can either be dropped directly into a VLS or stored in a carrier or base's automated weapons handling system. Onboard sensors monitor the weapon's status and can report any faults, allowing the defective unit to be returned for repairs. For air-to-air use the missile is removed from its canister but can be replaced if not expended.
Launch platform
The SAR-778 can be stored and launched from any Mark 18 vertical launch system installed on nearly all Carthaginian and most Japanese warships. It can also be launched from nearly any fighter and is occasionally used by tactical bombers as a self-defense weapon or when operating in an interceptor capability. In ground launch roles, it is normally launched from a dedicated transporter-erector-launcher attached to a division-level anti-aircraft battalion.
Variants and upgrades
SAR-778: Initial production model, with 21,000 missiles delivered to date. With the new SAR-778AM1 model now introduced, production of the original SAR-778 ended in 2010 but the missile is still held in stockpiles and equips many squadrons and warships until enough SAR-778AM1 variants are available to replace it in service.
SAR-778AM1: Upgraded model in current service. It incorporates a pulse solid rocket motor section replacing the explosive payload for improved accuracy, along with minor electronics and software improvements. The SAR-778AM1 entered service in 2010 and since then has been the only production model. 16,000 have been delivered so far with additional orders pending to replace current SAR-778 inventory.
SAR-778AM1B: Anti-ballistic missile model with new seeker and hit-to-kill warhead, designed to provide defense against shorter-ranged ballistic missiles. 4,800 are currently in service.
Operators
- Carthage
- Army of Carthage
- Tarnhelm air defense system
- Carthage Air Forces
- Punic Navy
- Mark 18 vertical launch system
- Army of Carthage
Japan
- Imperial Navy
- Mark 18 vertical launch system
- Imperial Navy
Gensokyo Republic
- Republic Aerospace Corps
- Republic Navy
- Mark 18 vertical launch system