The Japanese government plans to equip its F-2 fighters from next fiscal year with a new air-to-ship missile now under development, the Yomiuri Shimbun reported on Wednesday.

Quoting unnamed sources, the newspaper said the new missile -- the first supersonic air-to-ship type missile developed by Japan -- will replace the Air Self-Defense Force's Type 80 and Type 93 missiles.

The speed of the new missile is roughly Mach 3, or three times the speed of sound and about three-times faster than the Type 93 missile.

"The introduction of the new missile is aimed at keeping the Chinese Navy -- which has been taking high-handed action in the East China Sea and other places -- in check," the newspaper said.

The new missile is to be tested against a retired destroyer.

Additional specifics of the missile under development were not disclosed.

Tensions between Japan and China are high over a territorial dispute in the East China Sea and Beijing's military posture in the Asia-Pacific region.

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Lockheed receives $37.7M contract for JASSM-ER missile development
Washington (UPI) Jul 19, 2017
Lockheed Martin has received a $37.7 million contract action for the continued development of a new wing design for the Joint Air to Surface Standoff Missile Extended Range, the company announced on Wednesday. The new wing design will provide greater range for the JASSM-ER, which currently can strike targets more than 550 miles away. "We've developed a novel design that provides ... read more

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