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Photographs from Gifu Air Base show F-2B prototype 63-8101 carrying the new Air-Launched Type 25 anti-ship missile during the programme’s first publicly observed captive-carry flight tests.

Japan has taken another step towards fielding its series of next-generation indigenous stand-off weapons, with the first captive-carry flight tests of the air-launched variant of the Type 25 Surface-to-Ship Missile (SSM) completed on Jul. 30, 2026. The designation for the air-launched missile is yet to be announced, so it is referred to as the air-launched variant of the Type 25 SSM within this article. Possibilities include ASM-4.

12式地対艦ミサイル能力向上型？
何かステルスっぽくてカッコいい pic.twitter.com/yU1pU65ote

— nc39 306 J50 Z naruP (@306Z33) July 30, 2026

The first flight trial for the weapon was conducted by the Mitsubishi F-2B prototype 68-8101, one of the four F-2 prototypes assigned to the Japan Air Self Defence Force’s (JASDF) Air Development and Test Wing (ADTW). 68-8101 was ‘chased’ by 63-8501, the first F-2A prototype, for the flight. The unique liveries on these F-2s help towards the split-second identification of the orientation of the aircraft, something that is critical for the flight test duties of the ADTW.

2026/7/30 岐阜基地
2nd
F-2B（101）
+12式地対艦誘導弾能力向上型（空発型）
随伴機
F-2A（501）
テスター初号機コンビ
ありがてぇ#岐阜基地 pic.twitter.com/Wo7ANoSZKS

— Naoki_O (@naoki_o_0557) July 30, 2026

Photographs taken on the afternoon of Jul. 30, 2026, show the aircraft carrying what appear to be two inert Type 25 missile test articles on the inboard wing pylons of stations 4 and 10, marking the first publicly observed captive-carry flights of the new munition. The aircraft was not carrying any other weapons or fuel tanks on any of the other stations.

カッチョイイ形してる!! pic.twitter.com/ER200LxZlh

— nc39 306 J50 Z naruP (@306Z33) July 30, 2026

Captive-carry tests represent one of the earliest phases of an air-launched missile’s flight test campaign, and involve assessments of the aerodynamic characteristics and structural loads of the munition and the launch aircraft. Once it is verified that the missile can be safely carried throughout the F-2’s operational flight envelope, separation trials and live-firing trials are expected to commence.

7/30 岐阜基地 RJNG 2nd

岐阜基地「夏の夕べ」で飲んで帰るだけのつもりでしたが、ラッキーでした pic.twitter.com/0N5IfXBXXH

— ih168 (@ih1681) July 30, 2026

The test campaign of the new ASM is being conducted alongside that of the ASM-3 Kai, which has also been in development as a replacement for the ASM-2 currently fielded by the operational F-2s of the JASDF. Interestingly, the ASM-3 has always been carried on stations 3 and 11 on the test flights with the ADTW.

Since the F-2 has historically carried the ASM-2 on stations 2, 4, 10 and 11, this raises the possibility of a mixed-loadout with an F-2 carrying 2 ASM-3s on its mid-wing pylons and 2 more air-launched Type 25s on its inboard wing pylons.

2025.07.31
岐阜基地 RJNG

鬼対艦
F-2A 523
ASM-3

VS

対艦番長
F-2B 105
ASM-2×4
AAM-3×2

あなたはどっちがお好き？ pic.twitter.com/KIZQO5ciIw

— ボボ・AKEBOVO (@AKEBOVO) July 31, 2025

Type 25 SSM and its variants

The air-launched variant of the Type 25 is one of the major components of Japan’s effort to expand its long-range strike capabilities. The standoff weapon’s lineage can be traced to the upgraded Type 12 SSM (12式地対艦誘導弾能力向上型, translated literally as Type 12 Surface-to-Ship Guided Munition Upgraded Capability Version) programme, which has since been redesignated to the Type 25 SSM (25式地対艦誘導弾, translated literally as Type 25 Surface-to-Ship Guided Munition).

The upgraded Type 12 SSM bears little to no resemblance to the original Type 12 SSM, which is largely based on the air-launched ASM-2 currently in service with the JASDF.

A closeup of the air-launched upgraded Type 25 SSM on the left wing of the F-2B prototype on takeoff. | Source: ボボ・AKEBOVO on X

The upgraded Type 12 SSM was from the onset a multi-platform munition, with launches from land-, sea-, and air-based systems being part of the design requirements. Although the air-launched variant took to the skies for the first time today, the Japan Ground Self-Defense Forces’ surface-launched Type 25 has already completed major tests and is currently entering operational service.

While the land- and sea-launched variants have a booster (which the air-launched variant lacks), the inherent nature of an airborne launch means that the air-launched variant is expected to give a significantly increased maritime strike reach compared to the other two.

Ground-based testing of the Type 25. | Source: Japan MoD

Although the Japanese Ministry of Defense has released relatively few details regarding the airborne variant, budget documents have confirmed that its development has been underway simultaneously with its ground- and ship-launched versions. Externally, the missile retains the family’s low-observable airframe and fins, while internally the GPS/INS navigation, terrain-referenced guidance and network-enabled targeting capabilities are expected to be found in common with its other variants.

Thanks to @AKEBOVO for allowing us to use the photos, you can find out more of their work on X.