| KP-SAM Shingung | |
|---|---|
KP-SAM Shingung on tripod unit |
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| Type | Manportable surface-to-air missile |
| Place of origin | South Korea |
| Service history | |
| In service | Late 2005 |
| Used by | See Users |
| Production history | |
| Designer | Agency for Defense Development |
| Manufacturer | Agency for Defense Development |
| Unit cost | 173,000$ |
| Produced | 1995 - 2004 |
| Number built | 2000 |
| Specifications | |
| Weight | 0.076 m (Missile) 24.3 kg (System) |
| Length | 1.68m |
| Diameter | 80 mm |
| Crew | 2 (If based from a tripod), 1 (If held) |
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| Effective range | 3-5 km |
| Maximum range | 7 km |
| Warhead weight | 2.5 kg |
| Detonation mechanism |
After being 1.5 m near target[1] |
|
|
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| Engine | solid-rocket motor |
| Guidance system |
Infrared homing |
The KP-SAM Shin-Gung or Shin-Kung (Korean: hangul: 신궁, hanja: 神弓) is a South Korean shoulder launched surface-to-air missile manufactured by LIG Nex1. It is marketed internationally as the Chiron.[2]
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The Shin-Gung was created to protect ROK troops in the forward area, which started in 1995 under the direction of NEX1 Future Company Ltd.[3] In late 2003, the delivery of the Igla SAMs from Russia in payment for Russian debts to Korea appear to have solved the problem momentarily.[4] The KP-SAM began production in 2004 with extended trials in early 2005.[3] In late 2005, the KP-SAM Shingung entered service with the South Korean Army, after being in development for nearly 8 years.[4] The South Korean Army has ordered some 2000 units to be delivered in the near future.[4]
While the missile system externally resembles a French Mistral system, the seeker itself is based on Russian technology with the control section, warhead and motor made in South Korea.[3][4] The missile features integrated IFF systems, night and adverse weather capabilities, a two-colour (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.
According to Agency for Defense Development officials, the missile is superior to the American FIM-92 Stinger or the French Mistral in hit probability, price and portability.[1] It had been involved in a missile test where the Shingung's missile made impact on a low-flying target as high as 3.5 kilometers with a speed of Mach 2.0 and a distance range of 7 km.[2]