The Japanese MoD announced the SHIELD project, aiming for a coastal defence with a wide variety of unmanned systems against ships, submarines, and marines.
Japan is going for an alternative coastal defence system against pretty much any threat that it can cover, instead of being limited to enemy ships, based on UAVs, USVs, and UUVs. The Japanese MoD shared a detailed infographic on the types of systems to be used for the unconventional coastal defence system.
The project named SHIELD will use an array of unmanned systems to counter warships, incoming kamikaze UAVs and even enemy marines making a landing.
Five types of UAVs will be utilised for defence against ships:
-Large Anti-Ship Kamikaze UAV, launched from land
-Ship/Land-Launched Kamikaze UAV, likely launched by catapult
-Kamikaze UAV “Type 2” against landing craft, launched from land
-Kamikaze UAV “Type 3”, launched from land
-VTOL Armed UAV reminiscent of the US-made V-BAT UAV, recoverable and takes off from a helipad
On the other hand, a “Type 1” kamikaze UAV coupled with multicopter UAVs will be used against marines on land.
USVs are seen to serve in anti-ship missions as launch platforms for kamikaze UAVs or kamikazes themselves.
A “Radar Site Defence” kamikaze UAV is also seen, which appears to be a high-speed kamikaze UAV to intercept other kamikaze UAVs, much like the idea applied by Ukraine and Russia against barrages of long-range UAV attacks. With this, air defence systems capable of handling faster threats like cruise missiles or ballistic missiles can save their missiles for more capable targets instead of having to fire on cheaper kamikaze UAVs.
Another interesting aspect is the use of small UUVs likely deployed by ships to detect submarines, but nothing about engagement is seen. Likely, the attack on enemy submarines will still be handled by warships either with torpedoes or ASW helicopters.
Japan has boosted its investments in coastal defence exponentially over the years, mainly because of China’s expanding navy, which is not only adding new combatants but also force projectors like carriers or LHDs.
The launch of the SHIELD project shows that despite the progressing high-end programmes like the Improved Type 12 anti-ship missile, incorporating stealth characteristics with longer range compared to the legacy Type 12, and an indigenous hypersonic glide weapon; Japan understands that low cost and systems should also be present for a more sustainable defence.
Author: Kaan Azman
Editor: Özgür Ekşi
AloJapan.com