Chiron Missile System

Quick Facts

Variants	N/A
Role and Mobility	Shoulder-Launched, Man-Portable
Interceptors and Range	Shin-Gung Missile Range: 7 km Speed: Mach 2.3 (697.5 m/s)
Sensors	Two-Color Infrared Seeker
Targets	Fixed-Wing Aircraft, Rotary-Wing Aircraft, Helicopters, UAVs, and Cruise Missiles
Status/Exports	Operational; Indonesia
Designer/Producer	LIG Nex1

Overview

The KP-SAM Shin-Gung, marketed internationally as Chiron and translated as ‘New Bow,’ is a South Korean shoulder-launched surface to air missile.[i] The missile features integrated IFF systems, night and adverse weather capabilities, a two-color (IR/UV) infrared seeker to aid in negating infrared countermeasures (IRCM) and a proximity-fuse warhead. During development tests the missile scored a 90% hit ratio.[ii] The missile is designed to automatically explode against a target flying within a radius of 1.5 m, shattering into hundreds of pieces while shooting down a target.

Strategic Implications

Originally designed as a new man-portable Surface-to-Air Missile (SAM), Chiron was meant to protect troops in the forward area.[iii] Today, Chiron continues to provide strategically valuable point defense to key ground forces and military assets defending them from air attacks.[iv] Its many sensors and various capabilities allow Chiron to operate in a variety of disadvantageous conditions. According to South Korea’s Agency for Defense Development, the missile is superior to the American FIM-92 Stinger and the French Mistral in hit probability, price, and portability making it invaluable in the field.[v] On the highly volatile Korean Peninsula, the rapidly deployable Chiron is invaluable for defense.