Missile AAM-5

Development of the AAM-5 began in 1991 as a replacement for the AAM-3. The missile entered operational service in 2004.

The AAM-5 is a short-range air-to-air missile that utilizes thrust vectoring for flight control instead of canard surfaces. The missile body incorporates narrow strakes extending across the majority of its length. Guidance consists of an inertial navigation system using a fiber-optic gyroscope paired with terminal infrared imaging. This configuration supports lock-on after launch (LOAL) and high off-boresight targeting via helmet-mounted display cueing. The propulsion system is a solid fuel rocket. The missile carries a blast-fragmentation warhead with a detonation mechanism consisting of a laser proximity fuze and impact trigger.

The AAM-5B variant features an updated seeker with a dual-wavelength infrared focal plane array and a three-axis gimbal. These components provide infrared counter-countermeasures (IRCCM) by using image recognition to compare target frames. The AAM-5B also employs a Stirling engine for seeker cooling, which allows for an operational cooling duration of up to one hour.

The missile is operated by the Japan Air Self-Defense Force. It is deployed on the F-15J Eagle and the F-2.