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.


Timeline

2014: Indonesia began operating Chiron with Oerlikon[vi]

2005: Chiron entered service with the South Korean Army.[vii]

2004: The Chiron began production.

1995: Chiron was created to protect South Korean troops in the forward area.[viii]


Recent News

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References

[i]http://www.brahmand.com/news/S-Korean-firm-offers-anti-aircraft-missile-to-India-report/6898/1/13.html

[ii]https://www.revolvy.com/main/index.php?s=Chiron_(missile)

[iii] https://www.globalsecurity.org/military/world/rok/kp-sam.htm

[iv] https://www.armyrecognition.com/indo_defence_2010_news_pictures_video_actualites/chiron_portable_anti-aicraft_missile_from_south_korean_company_lig_nex1_indodefence_2010.html

[v]https://web.archive.org/web/20040322072850/http://english.chosun.com/w21data/html/news/200310/200310300022.html

[vi] https://jakartagreater.com/oerlikon-skyshield-plus-chiron/

[vii]https://www.globalsecurity.org/military/world/rok/kp-sam.htm

[viii]https://www.webcitation.org/5z0KvhwuF?url=http://articles.janes.com/articles/Janes-Land-Based-Air-Defence/Chiron-Singung-Korea-South.html