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Nissan Motor Develops Missile Technology

NIHON KEIZAI SHIMBUN 6 October Morning Edition

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[FBIS Translated Text] Nissan Motor Co., Ltd. may realize practical use of missile flight control technology, which can be used to develop a missile designed to intercept ballistic missiles. Nissan will work on the Defense Agency [DA] for appropriation of a budget to develop the missile. The company will be able to conduct a test launching two years later at the earliest. Under the theater missile defense (TMD) system development concept, U.S. missile makers are competing with each other. In particular, missile flight control technology is a central theme of development.

Nissan is developing a high-speed missile boosted by a solid fuel rocket. When it approaches a target, the missile will change its orbit by expelling combustion gas from more than 100 holes called "side thrusters," which are located in the missile's side wall. It will have better maneuverability than conventional missiles, which change orbit by moving wings. The new missile will also be capable of changing its flight path in high altitude where the air density is low.

During a ground test, the booster rocket achieved high-pressure combustion of 200 kilograms per square millimeter. Nissan is preparing for a test of the side thrusters. A senior Nissan Motor official said: "We will be able to conduct the test two years later at the earliest."

For the time being, Nissan is studying the possibility of using the technology to develop an antitank or antihelicopter missile. Its relative speed to a target will be Mach 4-5. It will jump to around Mach 9 if the booster rocket's combustion pressure is increased 20-30 percent by using heat-resistant materials. A missile with speed of Mach 9 can be used to intercept missiles.

The United States, while keeping the DPRK's (North Korea) ballistic missiles in mind, is asking Japan and European countries to participate in the TMD concept. The side thrust control technology is being used in the development of a new missile called "Elint" [as published], which Loral Boat Corporation [as published] is developing as a part of the TMD concept.

The TMD development cost is expected to reach around 1 trillion yen. The DA is trying to reduce its budget. It is safe to say that the TMD is the only major project under the circumstances. American and European corporations are going ahead of Japanese companies. However, the United States is seeking Japan's financial and technological cooperation.

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