Kawasaki Ki-148
Guided air-to-surface missile
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The Kawasaki I-Gо̄ Model 1 Otsu (No.1 Model 1B), otherwise known as Ki-148 was a World War II Japanese guided air-to-surface missile designed in 1944. Developed alongside its sister project the Mitsubishi I-Gо̄ Model 1 Kо̄ and the later Tokyo Imperial University designed I-Gо̄ Model 1 Hei, the Ki-148 was a simple radio-controlled guided missile propelled by a liquid rocket engine generating 1.47 kN (330 lbf) of thrust for up to 80 seconds.[2] Compared to the Ki-147, the Ki-148 was physically smaller and carried a 300 kg warhead versus the 800 kg warhead of the Ki-147. [3]
| Ki-148 I-Gо̄ Model 1 Otsu | |
|---|---|
| Type | Guided air-to-surface missile |
| Place of origin | Japan |
| Production history | |
| Manufacturer | Kawasaki Kōkūki Kōgyō K.K. |
| Produced | 1944-1945 |
| No. built | ~180 |
| Specifications | |
| Mass | 680 kg (1,500 lb) |
| Length | 4.09 m (13 ft 5 in) |
| Wingspan | 2.6 m (8 ft 6 in) / Wing area: 1.95 m2 (21 sq ft) |
| Effective firing range | 11 km (6.8 miles) |
| Warhead | Shaped charge |
| Warhead weight | 300 kg (661 lb) |
| Propellant | 1 x 1.47 kN (330 lbf) thrust Toku-Ro Mark 1 Model 2 rocket |
| Maximum speed | 550 km/h (340 mph) |
Guidance system | radio-control |
Launch platform | Kawasaki Ki-102 in service (Kawasaki Ki-48 for trials) |
| References | Japanese Aircraft of the Pacific War[1] |
Test trials were carried out in late 1944 and the weapon was quickly ordered by the war ministry. Launched during tests from a modified Kawasaki Ki-48 light bomber, its standard mother aircraft was to be the modern Kawasaki Ki-102 attack aircraft. Although approximately 180 missiles were built, none saw service before the end of World War II.[1]
