View source for KP-SAM Chiron

{{short description|South Korean shoulder-launched surface-to-air missile}}
{{Infobox weapon
| name               = KP-SAM Chiron <br>신궁 휴대용 지대공 미사일
| image              = Promotional booklet of the Republic of Korea Armed Forces 2019 - Chiron (Shingung) (cropped).png
| caption            = 
| origin             = South Korea
| type               = Manportable [[surface-to-air missile]] ([[MANPADS]])
<!-- Type selection -->
| is_ranged          = 
| is_explosive       = yes
| is_missile         = yes
| is_UK              = <!-- Service history -->
| service            = 2005–present
| used_by            = See [[#Operators|Operators]]
| wars               = <!-- Production history -->
| designer           = [[Agency for Defense Development]] <br />[[LIG Nex1]]
| design_date        = 1995–2004<ref name="DEMA 2018-11-05">{{cite web|url=https://kookbang.dema.mil.kr/newsWeb/20181105/1/BBSMSTR_000000100018/view.do|title=[신궁 1회] 승리의 믿음 K-PSAM 신궁|publisher=Defense Media Agency|date=5 November 2018|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20240429030847/https://kookbang.dema.mil.kr/newsWeb/20181105/1/BBSMSTR_000000100018/view.do|archivedate=29 April 2024|accessdate=29 April 2024|author1=Shin In-ho}}</ref>
| manufacturer       = LIG Nex1
| production_date    = 2004–present
| unit_cost = [[Euro|€]]2.6 million (2023)<ref>{{cite web |url=https://magnetpress.online/atm/slovenska-vlada-schvalila-nakup-systemov-barak-mx-a-piorun/ |title=Slovenská vláda schválila nákup systémov Barak MX a Piorun |date=4 October 2023 |website=Magnetpress.sk |access-date=27 October 2023 }}</ref>
| number             = 
| variants           = 
<!-- General specifications -->
| spec_label         = 
| weight             = Total: {{cvt|19.5|kg|lb}}<ref name="DAPA 2023-01">{{cite web|url=https://dapa-magazine.kr/page/vol128/05.html|title=한국형 지대공 유도무기 신궁 전력화 완료|publisher=[[Defense Acquisition Program Administration]]|date=January 2023|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20240429025226/https://dapa-magazine.kr/page/vol128/05.html|archivedate=29 April 2024|accessdate=29 April 2024|author1=}}</ref> <br />Missile: {{cvt|15|kg|lb}}<ref name="DEMA 2018-11-05" />
| length             = {{cvt|1.68|m|ft}}
| part_length        = 
| width              = 
| height             = 
| diameter           = {{convert|80|mm|in|abbr=on}}
| crew               = 2 (If based from a tripod), 1 (If held)
<!-- Ranged weapon specifications -->
| cartridge          = 
| caliber            = 
| barrels            = 
| action             = 
| rate               = 
| velocity           = 
| range              = 
| max_range          = {{convert|7|km|mi|abbr=on}}<ref name="DEMA 2018-11-05" />
| feed               = 
| sights             = [[Optical sight]]<ref name="DEMA 2018-11-05" />
<!-- Explosive specifications -->
| filling            = 720 [[Tungsten]] balls<ref name="DAPA 2023-01" />
| filling_weight     = {{cvt|2.5|kg|lb}}<ref name="DAPA 2023-01" />
| yield              = 
<!-- Vehicle/missile specifications -->
| armour             = 
| primary_armament   = 
| secondary_armament = 
| engine             = [[Solid fuel rocket]]
| engine_power       = 
| transmission       = [[Identification friend or foe]]
| payload_capacity   = 
| fuel_capacity      = 
| pw_ratio           = 
| suspension         = 
| clearance          = 
| vehicle_range      = 
| ceiling            = {{convert|4|km|ft|abbr=on}}<ref name="DEMA 2018-11-05" />
| speed              = {{convert|2.5|Mach|m/s km/h|abbr=on}}<ref name="DAPA 2023-01" />
| guidance           = [[Infrared homing]]<ref name="DAPA 2023-01" />
}}
The '''KP-SAM Chiron'''{{notetag|The origin of the name is [[Chiron]], a centaur in Greek mythology.}} ('''Korean Portable-Surface to Air Missile'''; {{Korean|hangul=신궁|hanja=神弓|rr=Singung}}) is a South Korean [[Man-portable air-defense system|shoulder-launched]] [[surface-to-air missile]] manufactured by [[LIG Nex1]].<ref name="Report">{{cite web|url=http://www.brahmand.com/news/S-Korean-firm-offers-anti-aircraft-missile-to-India-report/6898/1/13.html|title=S Korean firm offers anti-aircraft missile to India: report|date=2011-04-27|accessdate=2011-05-27|author=Brahmand.com}}</ref>

== History ==
[[File:KP-SAM of the Republic of Korea Navy, 2013.jpg|left|175px|thumb|KP-SAM Chiron of the [[Republic of Korea Navy]], 2013]]

The KP-SAM Chiron was created to protect [[South Korea|ROK]] troops in the forward area, which started in 1995 under the direction of [[LIG Nex1]].<ref name="Jane's">{{cite web|url=http://articles.janes.com/articles/Janes-Land-Based-Air-Defence/Chiron-Singung-Korea-South.html |title=Chiron (Singung) (Korea, South), Man-portable surface-to-air missile systems |accessdate=2011-05-27 |publisher=Jane's |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20170729192309/http://articles.janes.com/articles/Janes-Land-Based-Air-Defence/Chiron-Singung-Korea-South.html |archivedate=July 29, 2017 }}</ref> In late 2003, the delivery of the [[9K38 Igla|Igla]] SAMs from Russia in payment for Russian debts to Korea appear to have solved the problem momentarily.<ref name="DAPA 2023-01" /><ref name="History">{{cite web|url=http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/world/rok/kp-sam.htm|title=KP-SAM / KPSAM New Bow (Shingung / Shingoong)|accessdate=2011-05-27|publisher=Global Security}}</ref> The KP-SAM began production in 2004 with extended trials in early 2005.<ref name="DEMA 2018-11-05" /><ref name="Jane's" />

In late 2005, the KP-SAM entered service with the [[Republic of Korea Army|South Korean Army]], after being in development for nearly 8 years.<ref name="DEMA 2018-11-05" /><ref name="History" /> The South Korean Army has ordered some 2000 units to be delivered in the near future.<ref name="History" />

In 2011, the KP-SAM was proposed to the Indian military for potential export.<ref name="Report" /> It was being marketed in 2012 for India's modernization of their VSHORAD system, competing with the RBS 70, the Starstreak, the Mistral-2 and the SA-24.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://defense-update.com/20120401_vshorad-indias-next-big-air-defense-program.html|title=VSHORAD – India's Next Big Air Defense Program|date=April 2012}}</ref>

In November 2012, Peru announced that they will purchase the Chiron alongside 108 missiles and three TPS-830KE radar under a $USD 43 million defense contract.<ref name="SMR">https://mags.shephardmedia.com/HB-samples-2018/AAD5-webmag.pdf {{Bare URL PDF|date=March 2022}}</ref> However, the deal was called off in May 2013 over problems on paying for the contract.<ref name="SMR" />

In 2014, Indonesia bought the KP-SAM for integration with the Skyshield 35&nbsp;mm anti-aircraft system.<ref name="AR">{{Cite web|url=https://www.armyrecognition.com/november_2018_global_defense_security_army_news_industry/indonesia_might_buy_more_chiron_manpads_systems_from_south_korea.html|title=Indonesia might buy more Chiron MANPADS systems from South Korea &#124; November 2018 Global Defense Security army news industry &#124; Defense Security global news industry army 2018 &#124; Archive News year|date=13 November 2018|access-date=19 September 2019|archive-date=8 December 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221208232532/https://www.armyrecognition.com/november_2018_global_defense_security_army_news_industry/indonesia_might_buy_more_chiron_manpads_systems_from_south_korea.html|url-status=dead}}</ref> It was previously shown at the Indo Defence 2014 exhibition.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.armyrecognition.com/indodefence_2014_official_show_daily_news_coverage/lig_nex_1_showcases_chiron_portable_sam_and_raybolt_3rd_anti-tank_guided_missile.html|title=LIG Nex 1 showcases Chiron portable SAM and Raybolt 3rd anti-tank guided missile &#124; IndoDefence 2014 Official Show Daily News Coverage &#124; Defence and security military army exhibition 2014|date=6 November 2014 }}</ref>

In 2021 it is reported that failure rate of the KP-SAM was at 24% due to aging inventory that has been improperly stored along lacking proficiency with the system by its operators.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.yna.co.kr/view/AKR20211012018400504 | title="신궁 유도탄, 3년간 24% 사격 실패…발사 직후 지상 낙하도" | date=12 October 2021 }}</ref>

== Features ==
While the missile system externally resembles a French [[Mistral (missile)|Mistral]] system, the entire missile system including the seeker, control section, [[warhead]] and [[Rocket engine|motor]] were developed and manufactured in South Korea.<ref name="Jane's" /><ref name="History" /> The missile features integrated [[Identification friend or foe|IFF]] systems, night and adverse weather capabilities, a two-colour (IR/UV) [[Infrared homing|infrared seeker]] to aid in negating [[infrared countermeasures]] (IRCM) and a [[Proximity fuze|proximity-fuse]] warhead. During development tests the missile scored a 90% hit ratio.

[[File:Indonesian air force air defense weapon systems on display.jpg|thumb|Indonesian air force Chiron MANPADS and other air defense elements on display during 2016 Angkasa Yudha Exercises.]]
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.<ref name="Test">{{cite web |url=http://english.chosun.com/w21data/html/news/200310/200310300022.html|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20040322072850/http://english.chosun.com/w21data/html/news/200310/200310300022.html|archivedate=2004-03-22|title=Locally-Made Surface-Air Missile Toutedaccessdate=2011-05-27|publisher=Digital Chosunilbo|author=Yoo Yong-won}}</ref> 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 697.5&nbsp;m/s (more than [[Mach number|Mach]] 2.36)<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.deagel.com/Surface-to-Air-Missiles/Chiron_a002644001.aspx|title=Chiron|website=www.deagel.com|access-date=2015-04-08}}</ref> and a distance range of 7&nbsp;km.<ref name="Report" />

== Operators ==
[[File:Chiron operators.png|thumb|400px|Map with KP-SAM operators in blue]]
<!--READ FIRST: This section is for cited entries only. Please do not add entries into this list without a citation from a reliable source. All entries without a citation will be removed. Thank you.-->
<!--READ FIRST: Please list operators in alphabetical. Thank you.-->

* {{flag|Indonesia}}: [[Indonesian Air Force]] acquired and operated Chirons since 2014 which was integrated with Oerlikon [[Skyshield]] 35&nbsp;mm [[anti-aircraft gun]] system.<ref name="AR" /> Additional 2 Chirons transferred according to a 2019 SIPRI small arms report.<ref name="SIPRI19">{{cite web |url=http://www.smallarmssurvey.org/fileadmin/docs/S-Trade-Update/SAS-Trade-Update-2019.pdf |title=Archived copy |website=www.smallarmssurvey.org |access-date=15 January 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191211191444/http://www.smallarmssurvey.org/fileadmin/docs/S-Trade-Update/SAS-Trade-Update-2019.pdf |archive-date=11 December 2019 |url-status=dead}}</ref>
* {{flag|Romania}}: 54 KP-SAMs.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://en.yna.co.kr/view/AEN20230209003400325|title=LIG Nex1 signs MOU with Romania on air defense system|work=yna.co.kr|date=9 February 2023}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.economica.net/primele-trei-sisteme-de-rachete-antiaeriene-portabile-manpad-chiron-din-cele-54-cumparate-de-mapn-cu-peste-96-de-milioane-de-dolari-vor-fi-livrate-la-finalul-lunii-mai_733626.html|title=Primele trei sisteme de rachete antiaeriene portabile Manpad Chiron din cele 54 cumpărate de MApN cu peste 96 de milioane de dolari vor fi livrate la finalul lunii mai|language=ro|author=Cristina Șomănescu|website=economica.net|date=19 March 2024}}</ref> First systems delivered in June 2024.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=756375213375996&id=100070105721636&rdid=oGKopjR0iZTtUOYa|title=Sistemul antiaerian CHIRON a intrat în dotarea Forțelor Terestre|language=ro|work=Pro Patria MApN|date=19 June 2024}}</ref>
* {{flag|South Korea}}: In ROK Army service since 2005.<ref name="Report" />

=== Failed contracts ===
* {{flag|Peru}}<ref name="SMR" />

== See also ==
* K-SAM (based on [[Crotale (missile)|Crotale]])
* [[KM-SAM]]
* [[K-SAAM]]
* [[L-SAM]]
* [[List of surface-to-air missiles]]
* [[List of anti-aircraft weapons]]

==Notes==
{{Notelist}}
{{NoteFoot}}

== References ==
{{reflist}}

== External links ==
{{Commons category|KP-SAM}}

{{Modern South Korean Infantry Weapons}}

[[Category:Surface-to-air missiles of South Korea]]
[[Category:21st-century surface-to-air missiles]]
[[Category:Post–Cold War weapons of South Korea]]
[[Category:Weapons and ammunition introduced in 2005]]
[[Category:ADD research and development projects]]