The Type 96 missile has a large warhead which can destroy tanks with a direct hit from the top, but it can also be used in an anti-helicopter role.

An optical fibre connects the flying missile's infrared camera and its guidance system.

The warhead is unnecessarily large for attacking tanks because it is also designed to destroy landing craft (LCAC).

Japanese officers estimate that no tank can survive a direct hit to the weak point of its top armor by the Type 96 multi-purpose missile system.

This is a result of the missile striking the tank from the top, which is not so heavily armoured as the front and side sections.