HQ-9

HQ-9

An HQ-9 portable launcher during China's 60th anniversary parade in 2009.
Type Surface-to-air missile
Place of origin China
Service history
In service 1997[1]
Used by People's Liberation Army Air Force
People's Liberation Army Navy
Production history
Manufacturer China Precision Machinery Import-Export Corporation (CPMIEC)
Produced 1980s[1]
Specifications
Weight 1300 kg
Length 6.8 m
Warhead weight 180 kg
Engine Two-stage solid propellant rocket
Operational
range
 200 km (slant range)[1][2][3]
Flight ceiling 27 km (88,582 ft) [4]
Speed Mach 4.2
Guidance
system
 Inertial guidance with mid-course update and terminal active radar homing
Launch
platform

The HQ-9 (Chinese: 红旗; pinyin: hóng qí, "red flag" or "red banner") is China’s new generation medium- to long-range, active radar homing surface-to-air missile.[5][6]

Unlike the PESA radars of the US MIM-104 Patriot/Russian S-300/S-400 systems, the HQ-9 uses a state-of-the-art AESA radar. The naval HQ-9 appears to be identical to the land-based variant. Its naval type HHQ-9 is equipped in the PLAN Type 052C Lanzhou class destroyer in VLS launch tubes.[7]

The land-based HQ-9 system has an anti-radiation variant, known as the FT-2000 for export. The export designation for air defense version is FD-2000 (with FD stands for Fang Dun [防盾], meaning defensive shield), and its developer China Precision Machinery Import-Export Corporation (CPMIEC) first made it public at the Africa Aerospace and Defence Exhibition held at Cape Town in March 2009.

Design

The most basic formation of a HQ-9 batteries consisted of one Type 305B search radar, one tracking radar, one 200 kW Diesel generator truck, and eight Transporter erector launchers (TELs) each with 4 missiles, totaling 32 rounds ready to fire. These equipments are usually mounted on Tai'an trucks. This basic formation can be expanded into more capable larger formation, with the addition of the following equipment: one TWS-312 command post, one site survey vehicle based on Chinese Humvee, one main power grid converter, additional transporter / loader vehicles with each vehicle housing four missile TELs based on Tai'an TAS5380, one Type 120 low altitude search radar, one Type 305A AESA search radar for full anti ballistic missile capability, and a passive radar against stealth targets. HQ-9 systems are highly mobile, various units have completed conducting long distance maneuver and drills, including units in southern China participate in live firing exercises in northwestern China.[8]

Missile

Similar to the Russian S-300V, the HQ-9 is a two-stage missile. The first stage has a diameter of 700 mm and the 2nd stage 560 mm, with a total mass of almost 2 tons and a length of 6.8m. The missile is armed with a 180 kg warhead, has a maximum speed of Mach 4.2.[6] and has a maximum range of 200 km.[2] The thrust vector control (TVC) of HQ-9 is the most obvious visual identification that distinguish it from S300V: TVC of HQ-9 is exposed and thus can be observed from the side, while TVC of S300V is not exposed. The HQ-9's guidance system is composed of inertial guidance plus mid-course uplink and active radar terminal guidance systems.

The system first used a missile in a box-like launcher canted at an angle, just like the MIM-104 Patriot. However the missile was very large because of China's limited experience with solid-fuel rockets. Due to Russian assistance and technology transfers, the missile and launcher are in their present form, a transporter erector launcher with missiles inside a cylindrical container.[3] The missile apparently has a limited anti ballistic missile capability.

Radars

To reduce the cost, the HQ-9 is designed to be flexible enough to employ a wide range of radars, both the search/surveillance/acquisition radar and the tracking/engagement/fire control radar (FCR).

Fire control radar

Many FCRs of other Chinese SAM can be used for HQ-9, such as FCR used in KS-1 SAM, SJ-212, itself an enlarged and improved version of the SJ-202 fire control radar (FCR) used in HQ-2J.[6][9] H-200 & SJ-231 FCRs of latter models of KS-1 SAM are also compatible with HQ-9.

HT-233 Radar

To maximize the combat effectiveness of HQ-9, a dedicated FCR for HQ-9 was developed, and it is most commonly seen with HQ-9. Designated as HT-233, this radar is the most advanced FCRs HQ-9 could employ, and it has greater similarities to the MIM-104 Patriot's MPQ-53 than the S-300's 30N6 (Flap-Lid) series,[10] working in the NATO G-band (4–6 GHz) also as a search and targeting radar. This could be due to an alleged transfer of Patriot technology to China.[11] The radar can search a 120 degree arc in azimuth and 0-90 degrees in elevation out to 300 km, with a peak power output on 1MW (average 60 kW). The radar is credited as being able to track 100 targets and guides up to 6 missiles to 6 targets, or alternatively, to 3 targets with a pair of missile for each target.

HT-233 is the FCR used by HQ-9 that is closest to AN/MPQ-53: In comparison to earlier H-200 radar used by early models of KS-1 SAM which uses a simple horn instead of lens arrangement, HT-233 radar adopts lens arrangement of AN/MPQ-53. In comparison to SJ-231 radar used by the latest model of KS-1, HT-233 has a thousand more phase shifter on its antenna array, totaling four thousand, as opposed to the three thousand of SJ-231. In contrast, both AN/MPQ-53 & 30N6E radars have ten thousand phase shifters on their antenna arrays respectively. HT-233 radar is mounted on Tai'an TAS5501 10 x 10 high mobility cross country truck, and operates in C-band at 300 MHz. When deployed as a search radar TH-233 is fielded at brigade level, while FCR radars deployed would be SJ-212, H-200 or SJ-231.[3] HT-233 is credited with a detection range of 120 km,[12] scanning 360 degrees in azimuth and 0-65 degrees in elevation. It can track 100 targets and designate 50 for engagements.

Search radars

Several search radars are discovered to be associated with HQ-9, including anti-ballistic radars and anti-stealth radars.

Type 305B radar

Type 305B (also known as LLQ-305B) radar is the standard search radar for HQ-9, and it is a development of YLC-2 Radar. This 3-D radar which has an antenna height of 3.5 meters, and employs sixty 350 mm waveguide feeds. It operates in the S-band at a wavelength of 11.67 cm.

Type 120 radar

Type 120 (also known as LLQ-120) radar is the low altitude search radar, it is a telescoping radar with an antenna height of 2.3 metres folded, and 7 metres unfolded, using a feed network of sixteen 230mm wave guides. It rotates at a maximum of ten revolutions per minute, and operates in the L-band at a wavelength of 23.75 cm.

Type 305A radar

Type 305A (also known as LLQ-305A) radar is another search radar for HQ-9 system. This AESA radar is designed maximize the anti-ballistic capability of HQ-9, and it resembles Thales Ground Master 400 AESA radar. Very little info is released about this radar other than it can also act as Fire-control radar.

YLC-20 passive sensor

Although Type 305 radars are effective against stealthy targets such as F-35, full stealth target such as B-2 is difficult to detect. YLC-20 passive radar was conceptually based on KRTP-91 Tamara passive sensor, incorporating experience obtained from documentation acquired during the abortive attempt to procure six Czech VERA passive sensors. YLC-20 passive radar was first revealed in 2006.

DWL002 passive sensor

DWL002 passive radar is the development of earlier YLC-20, incorporating Kolchuga passive sensor, four of which were sold to China.[13] Like its predecessor YLC-20, DWL002 is also developed by China Electronics Technology Corp. (CETC).

Variants

HQ-9 after the 70th anniversary of the end of WWII parade held in Beijing.

Export

The HQ-9 was a contender in Turkey's T-LORAMIDS program, and was reportedly selected as the winner in September 2013.[26] The United States responded by blocking funds to integrate the Chinese system into NATO defenses.[27] However, through 2013 there was no confirmation that the deal had been finalized.[28][29][30] In February 2015, the Grand National Assembly of Turkey was informed by the Ministry of National Defence that the evaluation of bids was complete, and that the chosen system would be used used by Turkey without integration with NATO; the system was not explicitly named. However, other Turkish officials reported that no winner had been selected.[31] Later in the month, Turkish officials revealed that negotiations were ongoing with multiple bidders; the Chinese bid had not yet satisfied requirements concerning technology transfer.[32] In March 2015, a China Daily article reported that it was "well-known that the Chinese FD-2000 system, a HQ-9 model for export, was chosen for the contract with Turkey in 2013" based on comments made by a CPMIEC representative at the 2015 Langkawi International Maritime and Aerospace Exhibition; the article was misleadingly called "Missile sale to Turkey confirmed."[33] However, an anonymous CPMIEC executive told Global Times that “[t]he media read too much into this. There is no new information on the bid.”[34] In November 2015, Turkey confirmed it would not purchase the HQ-9, opting for an indigenously developed system instead.[35]

Unconfirmed reports claim China seeks to sell the HQ-9 to Uzbekistan and Turkmenistan to offset the cost of purchasing natural gas from those countries.[36]

During early 2015, Pakistan became the first country to start negotiations on the import of the HQ-9 and HQ-16 with China.[37] In July 2015, the PLA deployed the HQ-9 close to the Kashmir border in preparation for a potential territorial conflict with India. The air defense systems were sent to the Hetian airfield located in the south of the Xinjiang region which is only 260 km away from the Kashmir region. According to Kanwa Defense Review, a Chinese-language magazine based in Canada, radar vehicles of HQ-9 air defense missiles have been spotted at the base and assessed that they are intended to defend China's western border from any potential air strikes launched by the Indian Air Force.[38]

Operators

 People's Republic of China

See also

Comparable systems
Related lists

References

  1. 1 2 3 http://www.deagel.com/Surface-to-Air-Missiles/HQ-9_a001833001.aspx
  2. 1 2 Jane's Land-Based Air Defence 2010-2011
  3. 1 2 3 4 "HQ-9 / FT-2000 Surface-to-Air Missile". SinoDefence.com. Archived from the original on 7 December 2006. Retrieved 2006-12-09.
  4. ↑ http://www.ausairpower.net/APA-HQ-9-FD-FT-2000.html#mozTocId527286
  5. ↑ "Spacewar.com - Analysis: China exports new SAM missile". Retrieved 2009-03-18.
  6. 1 2 3 「黃河」 (January 2001). "巡天神箭 紅旗9號與紅旗家族動態". Defence International (114): 72–81.
  7. ↑ "Chinese Defence Today - Naval HQ-9 Ship-to-Air Missile". Retrieved 2006-12-09.
  8. ↑ HQ-9 mobile anti aircraft system AirForceWorld.com
  9. ↑ Sinodefence cites the SJ-212 for the KS-1: "Chinese Defence Today - KS-1 Surface-to-Air Missile". Retrieved 2006-12-09.
  10. ↑ Flap Lid radars operate in the I/J band, with a very narrow 0.5 degree beam. Original variants had no search ability programmed. The later variants incorporate a secondary search capability but the search zone is narrow and slow
  11. ↑ China's Missile Imports and Assistance From Israel NTI: China - 28 February 2003
  12. ↑ Assumed target RCS unknown
  13. ↑ http://www.kanwa.com/free/2003/06/e0603a.htm
  14. ↑ "Turkey could adopt the Chinese air defense missile system HQ-9 FD-2000 for T-Loramids program.". 26 June 2013.
  15. ↑ "FD2000 missile in Zhuhai Airshow 2014". Retrieved November 2014.
  16. 1 2 3 "HQ-9/-15, and RF-9 (HHQ-9 and S-300) (China), Defensive weapons", Jane's Strategic Weapon Systems, published 7 January 2010, URL for free sample: http://www.janes.com/articles/Janes-Strategic-Weapon-Systems/HQ-915-and-RF-9-HHQ-9-and-S-300-China.html Accessed 1 February 2009.
  17. ↑ http://www.deagel.com/Ship-Air-Defense-Systems/HHQ-9A_a001835001.aspx
  18. ↑ http://articles.janes.com/articles/Janes-Strategic-Weapon-Systems/HQ-915-and-RF-9-HHQ-9-and-S-300-China.html
  19. 1 2 3 "HQ-19, HQ-26 & HQ-29". Retrieved 2014.
  20. ↑ "kkv warhead of HQ-19". Retrieved 16 November 2006.
  21. ↑ http://www.globalsecurity.org/space/world/china/hq-19.htm
  22. ↑ "SC-19 ASAT". Retrieved 2014.
  23. ↑ "HQ-26". Retrieved 28 March 2013.
  24. ↑ http://www.globalsecurity.org/space/world/china/hq-26.htm
  25. ↑ http://www.globalsecurity.org/space/world/china/hq-29.htm
  26. ↑ Toksabay, Ece (26 September 2013). "Chinese firm wins Turkey's missile defense system tender". reuters.com. reuters. Retrieved 26 September 2013.
  27. ↑ Wilson, Steve (14 December 2013). "Congress to block Turkey using US funds to buy missile system from blacklisted Chinese firm". telegraph.co.uk. AFP. Retrieved 14 December 2013.
  28. ↑ Lague, David (2 October 2013). "For China, Turkey missile deal a victory even if it doesn't happen". Reuters.
  29. ↑ Daloglu, Tulin (27 Sep 2013). "Turkey close to deal with China for anti-missile system". Al-Monitor.
  30. ↑ "Update: Turkey Remains Defiant About Co-Producing Missile Defense System with China". Defense Update. 25 October 2013.
  31. ↑ Karadeniz, Tulay (19 February 2015). "Turkey eyes deal with China on missile defense despite NATO concern". Reuters. Retrieved 12 May 2015.
  32. ↑ Coskun, Orhan; Karadeniz, Tulay (26 February 2015). "Turkey goes back to other missile system bidders as China drags feet: officials". Reuters. Retrieved 12 May 2015.
  33. ↑ Peng, Yining (19 March 2015). "Missile sale to Turkey confirmed". China Daily. Retrieved 12 May 2015.
  34. ↑ Liu, Yang (19 March 2015). "Chinese firm denies winning FD-2000 air defense missile system bid in Turkey". Global Times. Retrieved 12 May 2015.
  35. ↑ Butler, Daren; Karadeniz, Tulay; Martina, Michael (18 November 2015). Mark, Heinrich, ed. "UPDATE 2-Turkey confirms cancellation of $3.4-bln missile defence project awarded to China". Reuters. Retrieved 25 November 2015.
  36. ↑ Michel, Casey (17 February 2015). "Is Moscow Losing Its Security Edge in Central Asia?". The Diplomat. Retrieved 12 May 2015.
  37. ↑ "Pakistan first to China's table for HQ-9, HQ-16 missile systems". Want China Times. 2 April 2015. Retrieved 2 August 2015.
  38. ↑ "PLA sends HQ-9 air defense missiles close to Kashmir border". Want China Times. 6 July 2015. Retrieved 2 August 2015.

External links

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