Full Afterburner
Full Afterburner
  • Home
  • AeroSpace
  • Next-Gen Weapons
  • Terrain Battle Machines
  • Special Forces
  • Space Technology
  • Share News/Articles
  • Home
  • AeroSpace
  • Next-Gen Weapons
  • Terrain Battle Machines
  • Special Forces
  • Space Technology
  • Share News/Articles

Military Balance India Vs China Part-3 Indian artillery systems

6/16/2021

1 Comment

 
Howitzers

Indian Field Gun (105mm)

The 105 mm Indian Field Gun was designed by the Armament Research and Development Establishment (ARDE) in 1972. It is a towed variant of the British L13 105mm howitzer as mounted on the FV433 Abbot.
Indian 105mm Light Field Gun is the primary artillery piece used in mass by Indian Army; it was introduced in 1980s and considered one of the best in the world in terms of weight and its range.
Due to its Light weight design IFG has excellent portability making it suitable for mountainous terrain. I t can be transported by mules in parts to some of the inaccessible posts over LOC as well as LAC. Despite being light its range is outstandingly 17kms with HE rounds latest variants has a range of 30Km. one drawback of this gun is being 105 mm it does not do much damage to strong bunkers and fortifications.
IFG is upgraded by fitting with inertial navigation system, digital fire control system etc and the range is increased to 30Km with bleed base, with the use of INS accuracy also increased.
IFG is replacing with modern artillery systems, variants of IFG may stay in service for many years.

Specifications

Max Range      : 30Km
Rate of Fire     : 10Rpm
In Service        : ~600

​Variants
  • Indian Field Gun MK 1
  • Indian Field Gun MK 2
  • Indian Field Gun MK 3
  • Light Field Gun
  • Garuda 105


Picture

Light field gun

Light field gun is a lighter version derived from the 105 Indian field gun , it entered into service in the 80s. This is developed mainly for deploying in mountainous terrains. It weighs less compared to IFG. The gun is light enough to be transported by helicopter making it an ideal weapon during cross-border firing. The gun takes just 3 minutes to get ready for action.

LFG is ongoing upgrade to 120mm .
 
Specifications
Max range        : 20Km
Rate of Fire      : 6Rpm
In Service        : ~700
 
Variants
  • Light Field Gun Mk1
  • Light Field Gun Mk2
  • OFB 105 SPG
Picture
Picture

OFB 105 SPG

OFB 105mm SPG is Indian self-propelled tracked artillery. It has been Developed & Manufactured by Ordnance development centre, Ordnance Factory Medak. The weapon is based on Sarath's hull mounted with Indian towed 105 mm Light field Gun (LFG). The system can stow 42 rounds of ammunition. The artillery can be used to destroy enemy fortification and also in anti tank role. The Original sights of 105 mm LFG have been retained. A GPS have been provided for navigation. The turret provides level-3 protection for the crew. It was first displayed in February 2010 during DEFEXPO-2010 in New Delhi and it is planned to replace the FV433 Abbot SPG in the Indian army. There is option of composite armour turret to increase protection of crew against 12.7mm weapon. An autoloader along with Fire control system can also be provided to achieve Multiple Rounds Simultaneous Impact. TALIN 500 Inertial Navigation System can also be installed to navigate in regions where GPS is unavailable due to terrain masking or enemy jamming ammunition carrying capacity can also be increased to 92 rounds.

This system is not inducted to Indian army. 

Picture
Picture

Kalyani Garuda 105
​

Garuda 105 is an ultra light weight mobile gun system. The Garuda-105 is based on 105mm field gun .At a gross weight of one ton (compared to three tons for other, average artillery pieces) the Indian Garuda 105 incorporates soft recoil technology (Technology is called Hybrid Recoil) that enables it to mount on standard tactical vehicles. This allows the weapon to be placed on light vehicles and nonstandard platforms, including aircraft and coastal and river patrol watercraft. The system is mounted on a TATA 4×4. It is based on an all terrain vehicle with mountainous terrain maneuverability, and adaptable for fitment on any current in-service vehicle. Garuda was developed and manufactured in a record time of 08 months.
Garuda was developed in collaboration with the Mandus group. The vehicle and the gun is OFB`s, only the recoil system is of Kalyani. They are well tested and, being mounted on pickup trucks, seem to be perfect for shoot and scoot, giving opposing fire no time to zero in. The existing mountain guns (105 IFG) are well thought of with excellent range and will obviously remain in service for a long time but they need to be dug in after being towed into place, making them sitting ducks for artillery locating radars. 

Picture

M-46 (M1954)

M-46 is a Soviet field gun developed in the 1940s, and apparently first fielded in the early 1950s. In a towing configuration, the M-46 is 11.73 m long, 2.45 m wide, approximately 2 m tall, and weighs 7.7 t. It is rated as safe to tow at speeds of 10-20 km/h cross-country, or at 50 km/h over a paved road. The 130 mm towed field gun M-46 is manually loaded system.   The M-46 fires OF-43 HE-FRAG (range: 27 490 meters), OF-44 HE-FRAG (range: 22 490 meters), BR-482 and BR-482B APCBC-HE-T (range: 1 140 meters, direct-fire). Smoke, Chemical, and Illumination rounds were also developed for the M-46.
The Indian Army has a total of around 1000 of the 130 mm towed guns that were acquired from the Soviet Union beginning in 1968.
 
Specifications
Max Range      : 38Km
Rate of Fire     : 8Rpm
In Service        : ~1000
Variants
  • Metamorphis M46 FG(M-46S)
  • SP-130 Catapult
  • Sharang
  • Arjun Catapult

Picture

Metamorphosis IOB M46 FG (M-46S)

In 2000 Soltam Systems Ltd. won a $47.5 million contract to upgrade 180 artillery pieces of the Indian Army. The project is expected to be completed in two years and will be done in Israel. A follow-on deal for 250 retrofit kits was also optioned. According to the contract; Soltam will upgrade Russian-made M-46 130 mm field artillery pieces into 155 mm guns similar to the ones used by the Israel Defense Forces. The upgraded M-46S, labeled by the OFB as Metamorphosis IOB M46 FG. The project was named as Project Karan.
In up-gradation process the original barrel is replaced by a new model of 155/45mm for a range of 25.8 to 39 km. A 39-calibre barrel is optional. According to the OFB, no modifications are made to the existing breech block, while failure of self-sealing systems during combat was overcome by the use of a stub cartridge case obturator similar to the obturating system of the original M-46. Conversion lead time was said to be minimal as there was no modification to the breech block mechanism and no change in the travel lock, cradle and recoil systems of the original M-46. The only modification to the horizontal sliding breech block was a widening to allow for the insertion of larger-calibre 155mm rounds. The split-trail carriage, elevating mechanism, shield and two-wheeled limber of the original M-46 were also retained. When travelling the Metamorphosis IOB M46 FG was to be withdrawn to the rear by the standard chain mechanism located on the right side. The original two-wheeled limber was retained, and to reduce operator fatigue, a three-cylinder telescopic rammer with eight-bar nitrogen gas pressure and pneumatic circuit was fitted, as was an in-built safety mechanism.
In 2005, after only 40 howitzers were modified, the M-46S programme was terminated due to a fatal barrel explosion.
 
Specifications
​

Max Range      : 39Km
Rte of Fire       : 8Rpm
In Service        : ~40


Picture

Sharang Gun

Sharang 155/45 is upgraded version of Soviet-origin 130mm M-46 towed artillery. OFB was awarded a contract to upgrade 300 of the 130 mm artillery guns in October 2018. All 300 upgraded ones will be delivered in batches by 2022-end.
The up-gradation, involved the changing of the barrel and breech block, would mean an increase in the range of the field gun from around 27 kms to 39km and better terminal effectiveness (fragmentation pattern) by over 300 per cent. It will add new sighting systems and a new hydraulic rammer to ease loading of shells. OFB officials term the up-gunning 100 per cent indigenous and a highly cost-effective solution to augment the Army’s firepower. The Sharang upgrade kit costs less than Rs 70 lakh per gun, or less than one-fifth the cost of a brand new towed field artillery piece.
Sharang has a combat weight of 8.4 tonnes and a length and width of 11.84 metres and 2.45 metres. The 7 metre-long barrel has a single baffle muzzle brake and horizontal sliding wedge breech block. A semi-automatic operating device enables auto opening of the gun breech and a pneumatic ramming system eases the load on the gun crew who have to ram the projectile in during firing.
In October 2020 Indian Army procured and inducted 155mm Excalibur precision guided ammunition from the U.S. which gives its 155mm artillery guns extended range and also the ability to hit targets with very high accuracy.
​
Specifications
Max range       : 39Km
Rate of Fire     :
In Service        : ~20 (18 in service as of Jan 2020)

Picture
Picture


M-46 Catapult (SP-130 Catapult, Catapult-MK1) 

The M-46 Catapult was a self-propelled gun developed in India by Combat Vehicles Research & Development Establishment. It was called Catapult in1980-81.
After the 1965 and 1971 wars between India and Pakistan, the Army was in search of mobile (self propelled) artillery gun systems, primarily for the strike formations on the western borders. The production of Catapult guns began in the late 1970s and they were inducted in 1981. The platform is based on the Russian 130 mm M-46 field gun mounted on the lengthened chassis of the ageing British/Indian Vijayanta tank's hull. A total of 100 M-46 Catapult systems were built.
 
To withstand higher firing stresses and to cater for longer recoil the Vijayanta tank's hull has been elongated with seven bogie wheel stations on either side. The stability to the vehicle during firing is provided by unique hydraulic suspension locking system. The self-propelled medium artillery gun can fire both HE and AP ammunition and has a maximum range of 27 km. The gun has a limited static traverse 12½% on both side and an elevation of +45% to -2%. The system can stow 30 rounds of separate loading ammunition.
​
It was retired from service in 2021 after 40 years of active service with the Indian Army.

Picture
130 mm Self Propelled M-46 Catapult Guns decommissioning ceremony, March 2021

Arjun 130 mm Catapult (Catapult MK-2)

 
Arjun 130 mm Catapult is self-propelled 130 mm gun developed by DRDO.  The army had major problems with the M-46 Catapult, as maintenance was an issue and its stability on a full charge firing mode. Arjun, the indigenous main battle tank in operation at the moment, was considered a possible chassis for the emplacement of the 130 mm on a tracked vehicle. The job was given to the Combat Vehicles Research and Development Establishment (CVRDE), based at Avadi.

A feasibility study of mounting 130 mm Catapult Gun on Arjun Chassis Mk-I was carried out in May- June 2012. The technical study concluded that up-gradation of the existing Catapult on the chassis could be carried out in a very short time and the equipment capabilities increased. 
Eight key parameters were considered for carrying out the feasibility study. Some of them were; minimum changes to the chassis system for ensuring maximum commonality between the sub systems and the parts, accommodating recoil of the gun system at various elevation angles, power pack removal without removing the gun system, maximum onboard ammunition, structural design etc.
The trials were successfully concluded and it also found that the new system fared better than the M-46 Catapult on the Vijayata chassis in terms of mobility and the ability to absorb shocks during firing charged rounds. The system is also fitted with night vision systems and fire suppression systems available on the Arjun. Some new features of Arjun MBT MK-II being incorporated into the catapult systems were also be evaluated during the crucial GSQR trials. Indian Army ordered 40 of the system.
​
Specifications
Max Range      : 39Km
Rate of Fire     : 8 Rpm
In Service        : ~40
Picture

D-30 Howitzer

D-30 is a Russian-made 122 mm towed howitzer that first entered service in the 1960s with the Russian army. The D-30 is designed to defeat unsheltered and covered manpower, weapons and military equipment of the enemy at the forward edge of the battle area and to the regiment mission depth.
The D-30 uses the 2A18 gun which is also used by the Russian 2S1 tracked self-propelled howitzer. The maximum rate of fire of the D-30 is 6-8 rounds per minute, and about 75 rounds per hour. The D-30 fires FRAG-HE and HEAT-FS variable-charge, case-type, separate-loading ammunition.
D30 towed howitzer mainly deployed in the plains and is already obsolete. It got replaced by the M-46 of Soviet Union.

Specifications
​

Max Range      : 22Km
Rate of Fire     :  8 Rpm
In Service        : ~520

Picture

2S1Gvozdika

The 2S1 Gvozdika is a Russian-made 122mm self-propelled howitzer tracked armoured vehicle. The first prototype was ready in 1969. The 2S1 Gvosdika has a crew of four soldiers, including commander, gunner, loader and driver. The 2S1 is fully amphibious with very little preparation, and once afloat is propelled by its tracks. A variety of track widths are available to allow the 2S1 to operate in snow or swamp conditions. It is NBC protected and has infrared night-vision capability.  These systems will retire in the near future.

Specifications
​

Max Range      : 22km
Rate of Fire     : 5 Rpm
In Service        : ~110

Picture
Slovak 2S1

Haubits FH77/B Howitzer

155 mm Bofors guns are the mainstay of the artillery fire power of Indian army. The FH77 is a late Cold War era towed howitzer of Swedish origin.
 
The Army had initially planned to acquire 1500 Bofors FH-77B howitzers, but due to the infamous 'Bofors Scandal' only 410 guns were purchased, 200 left in service.
The FH 77 is one of the world's most revolutionary towed field artillery systems at the time of development. It has an on-mount auxiliary power unit that gives the system self-propelled capability. APU also supplies power to the hydraulically supported operations, making it easy to handle. Besides these it has a fully integrated land navigation system that gives the coordinates of the gun position and automatic alignment of the barrel. . The high level of automation results in a high rate of fire. When using semi-fixed ammunition three rounds can be fired in 8 seconds, and six rounds can be fired in 25 seconds. NATO standard ammunition is fired at a lower rate of fire. Sustained rate of fire is 3 rpm for 20 minutes. The FH77 fires both its own range of 155mm shells and NATO compliant ammunition. The maximum range is 21 km with regular ammunition and over 27 km with base bleed ammunition.
The Bofors guns proved their mettle during the 1999 Kargil conflict, particularly with their “shoot-and-scoot” technology — the ability to fire a shell and then move away from the location by up to three kilometres. 

Specifications
 
Max Range      : 32Km
Rate of Fire     : 10 Rpm
In Service        : ~200
 
Variants
 
  • Dhanush 
  • FH77 B02: Indian upgrade of FH77/B with 45-caliber ordnance and improved electronics (done in 1987).
Picture

Dhanush Howitzer

Dhanush is a 155x45 Calibre indigenous gun developed by OFB. Dhanush is the indigenously upgraded variant of the Indian Army Houbitz FH77 B02 gun.  Dhanush received bulk production clearance in February 2020 and the initial order of 114 Guns was placed on the OFB and will get all 114 guns by 2022.
Dhanush towed gun system capable of targeting at long ranges incorporating autonomous laying features and having one of the most sophisticated suites of electronic and computing systems in the world. The electronic suite is a module package, combining a hybrid (Inertial+GPS) Navigation System, a Muzzle Velocity Radar (MVR) and powerful Software solving in real time the ballistics for static or moving targets and for any combination of projectile-change available. The Inertial Navigation System (INS) is an extremely precise system determining the elevation and northing angles of the gun. Dhanush uses an enhanced tactical computer (ETC) for on-board ballistic computations; the system corrects automatically the firing for any variation in ammunition, charge or meteorology. Auto laying is adaptable to any orientation and elevation system hydraulically or electronically powered, it provides an effective solution for automatic laying of the gun barrel. Dhanush has an automated gun sighting system equipped with camera, thermal imaging, and laser range finder.
Each Dhanush unit is also provided with a STAR-V radio, which along with the ETC and a gun display unit makes it compatible with the Indian Army’s Shakti Artillery Combat Command & Control System (ACCCS) that automates artillery operations in a network-centric environment. The use of AGAPS along with electro-hydraulics suited for auto gun laying enables the Dhanush to be aimed at a target much faster, once targeting data is available. This means that the Dhanush can better utilise enemy gun location data provided by the Swathi Weapon Locating Radar (WLR) and drones used by search and target acquisition (SATA) units of the Artillery Corps.
The main elements of the Electronic Suite integrated with the gun have EMI/EMC compatibility as per the Standards laid down by the Indian Army and they are as follows:-
  • Gun Control Computer (GCU/ETC).
  • Inertial Navigation System (INS).
  • INU, CDU, Phonic Wheel, Travel Lock sensor.
  • Muzzle Velocity Radar (MVR).
  • Gun Sighting System.
  • Modified Electro-hydraulic Valve Block system.
  • Communication System-STARS V Radio MK II.
  • Drive Electronic Unit (DEU).
 
Dhanush can fire all types of ammunition available with Indian Army. The longer barrel length of the Dhanush, along with the use of a ‘Zone-6’ bi-modular charge system, allows it to fire an extended range full-bore base bleed (ERFB-BB) shell to a maximum range of 38.4 kilometres. The Army recently procured 155mm Excalibur precision guided ammunition from the U.S. having the ability for targeted artillery strikes at extended ranges. The ammunition can be used with all 155-mm artillery guns in the inventory. Ex Caliber extends the reach of .39-calibre artillery to 40 km and .52-calibre artillery to more than 50 km”.
SAIL’s special alloy steel, produced by SAIL-Alloy Steels Plant based at Durgapur, has been used for making this artillery gun. Weighing less than 13 tonnes, with a high ground clearance of 400 mm, a range of elevation from - 3degree to 70 degree and an arc of traverse of 60degree. The self-propulsion unit allows the gun to negotiate and deploy itself in mountainous terrains with ease.
The Dhanush howitzer is capable of firing eight rounds per minutes and needs a crew of six to eight artillerymen. Dhaunsh,s automated technology allows three guns to be fired simultaneously at a rate of 42 rounds per hour.  Indain Army 93 Field Regiment becoming one of the first units to be armed with this gun.

Specifications

Max Range      : 38Km, 50+ Km using Ex-caliber
Rate of Fire     : 8 Rpm
In Service        : ~54
 
Variants
 
  • Dhanush V2:  DRDO has also been working on an upgraded variant of the Dhanush howitzer, designated Dhanush Version 2 (v2) with a larger caliber 45 to 52 millimeter and a slightly increased range 38 to 42 kilometers.
 
  • BEML MGS: A vehicle mounted variant of the gun called Mounted Gun System was showcased by OFB at the Defexpo 2018 show. The gun is mounted on a 8x8 Tatra truck manufactured under license by Bharat Earth Movers Limited (BEML) and has a 30 km/h cross country speed and 80 km/h road speed.

Picture
Picture

BEML MGS
​

BEML 155mm/52cal truck-mounted gun system is a variant of Dhanush system. In defense expo 2018 OFB and BEML have unveiled, the 155mm 52 Cal Mounted Gun system.
The uniqueness of this project is that it has been completely and independently designed and manufactured by OFB in association with BEML & BEL. The Gun is equipped with the state-of-the-art laying system and sighting system such as GPS aided INS, muzzle velocity feeder data management, day and night firing, ballasting computer system capability.
The base vehicle used for the gun system is the BEML-TATRA 8X8 truck with all differential lockable and a powerful 300KW engine, which provides it a power to weight ratio of more than 10KW/ton. This is a high mobility vehicle with independent wheel suspension and swinging half axles to provided enhanced cross-country mobility. The vehicle has a cruising speed of 80Km/hr on-road and more than 30Km/hr in cross-country and has a cruising range of 1000Km without refueling.
The armament used in the 155mm 52Cal with target equipment capability of approximate 42Kms. The Gun System combines with the advantage of high mobility performance of a truck with accurate long range fire power of a 155mm 52 Cal Gun and with its onboard ammunition storage capability of 18 rounds of HE shells as well as 18 BMCS and 2-6 chargers. It can be automatically deployed in any terrain and can perform a mission independently. With its high strategic maneuverability in all types of terrain it will serve as all weather reinforcement for the infantry and will be a present force multiplier for the Indian Artillery. This system not inducted into army. 

Picture
Picture
Picture


ATAGS

The ATAGS is a 155mm, 52 calibre artillery gun jointly developed by the DRDO in partnership with Bharat Forge of the Kalyani Group and the Tata Power SED.
ATGAS is a large calibre Gun system with the capability to program and fire future Long Range Guided Munitions (LRGM) to achieve precision and deep strike.  ATAGS will complete user trials by mid-2021. In August, 2018 the Defence Acquisition Council had accorded approval for the purchase of 150 of these guns. After the summer trials this year, orders can be placed in the industry, following which the system will become operational in the armed forces.
The ATAGS was has gone through extensive trials over the last four years and performed admirably with remarkable consistency. The validation trials at high altitude areas, including mobility trials in hilly and mountainous terrain have been completed. ATAGS has demonstrated efficient towed movement in the treacherous terrain climbing altitudes up to 15,500 ft. Movement to Lukrep meant covering 341 kilometres and was tested over 10 days. ATAGS could negotiate the otherwise un-accessible mountainous terrain with steep gradient and narrow Hair-Pin Bends with ease, without needing to unhook the Gun from the Tower. In similar terrain, other systems need to be unhooked and moved in self-propelled mode, thereby increasing the overall travel time. The total distance traveled by the ATAGS in mountains and high altitude was 526 kms. The field trials were recently conducted and it fired over 2,000 rounds in places like Sikkim near the China border and Pokharan near the Pakistan border. The DRDO believes that it would give an edge to the Indian Army over China and Pakistan in a war scenario.
ATAGS performed well in high-altitude trials in January 2018 at the 12,000-foot-high Menla Firing Range in Sikkim. In these trials, the BFL-developed ATAGS prototype fired a total of 130+ rounds, mostly in Zone 7, and the feedback was that the system had met the parameters. The howitzer prototype fielded by TATA Aerospace & Defence Ltd too succeeded in firing 99 rounds. However, when it went for additional trials in September, a gun barrel burst while being fired. At the 100th round, which was fifth of the rapid-fire practice, the gun tube sheared off, thus creating the first unfortunate incident during the entire process of design and development. It must be noted that the two prototypes, which have till now fired almost 2,000 rounds between them, can easily withstand pressures up to 560 mega Pascals and are the only ones to fire munitions in Zone 7.
The development of the complex system has been carried out in a very short time of four years. The gun had several significant features such as an all-electric drive, high mobility, quick deployability, auxiliary power mode, advanced communication system, night vision system and automated command and control system. DRDO claiming that it is the "best gun in the world".
The inhouse development has led to headway in the advanced technologies, which include higher pressure, higher chamber volume gun barrel, breech mechanism, compact recoil system and an efficient muzzle brake. A very robust yet compact structure, high power compact auxiliary power unit for achieving higher mobility during cross-country, walking-beam suspension for negotiating highly undulating terrains, SDR-based advanced communication, simultaneous voice and data communication, fire control computer, compact thermal imaging sight and surveillance system are some of the advanced features of the gun system. 
 
The ATAGS is configured with all electric drives to ensure maintenance free and reliable field operations. The automation ensures five Multiple Rounds Simultaneous Impact (MRSI), automatic shell loading and ramming, higher rate of fire, and fast coming into/out of action in the day/night war scenario. The DRDO says that it can fire three rounds in 15 seconds in burst mode while in sustained mode; it has a rate of fire of 60 rounds in 60 minutes.
 
It is equipped with Integrated Fire Control system consisting of INS-based Automatic Gun Alignment and Positioning System (AGAPS), Muzzle Velocity Radar (MVR) and Ballistic Computer to carry out online computations. The system comprises a Tactical Computer (TC) that commands and controls a battery of six to eight guns over radio and line, and has been configured to be integrated as per ACCCS Shakti network protocol of Artillery Regiments.
 
The howitzer requires a crew of 6 to 8 personnel. During trials in 2017, ATAGS broke the world record for 155 mm gun by firing the round to a distance of 47.2 kilometres. It again registered a maximum distance of 48.074 kilometres with high explosive–base bleed (HE–BB) ammunition, surpassing the maximum ranges fired by any artillery gun system in this category. The longer range of the ATAGS comes from its larger chamber, which houses a larger quantity of high-explosive propellant that shoots out the warhead further. The ATAGS chamber volume is 25 litres, compared to 23 litres in all other existing 155mm/52-cal towed howitzers.

Specifications
​

Max Range      : 48 Km
Rate of Fire     : 3 rounds in 15s
In Service        : 150 ordered 

Picture
Picture

M777 A2
​

The M777 howitzer is a towed 155mm artillery gun developed by BAE Systems. The Indian Army has placed an order for 145 ultra-light weight Howitzer guns with BAE Systems under the ‘Make in India’ programme. Out of these 145 howitzer guns, 25 will come in a flyaway condition and the rest 120 will be assembled in India at the Mahindra Defene facility. Deal for 145 guns concluded in November 2016
To reduce the weight, construction of the M777 makes extensive use of titanium and titanium castings. The M777 weigh approximately 4,200 kg each. This light weight makes M777 howitzer guns are highly portable, can be carried easily over land, air and sea. One special feature of the M777 is that it can be readily airlifted on a Boeing Chinook heavy-lift helicopter. The Indian Air Force (IAF) has recently inducted Chinook helicopters. This means that at a very short notice, both troops and artillery guns can be transported by Chinooks to border areas , giving India ready firepower along its borders.
M777 are fitted with the General Dynamics Armament Systems Towed Artillery Digitisation (TAD) system. The TAD digital fire control system provides on-board ballistic computation, navigation, pointing and self-location, providing greater accuracy and faster reaction times, and also includes a laser ignition system, electric drives for the howitzer’s traverse and elevation, and a powered projectile rammer.
The maximum firing range is 24.7km with unassisted rounds and 30km with rocket-assisted rounds. The M777A2 can fire the Raytheon / Bofors XM982 Excalibur GPS / Inertial Navigation-guided extended-range 155mm projectiles using the Modular Artillery Charge Systems (MACS). Excalibur has a maximum range of 40-50 km and an accuracy of 10m.  Indian Army is placed an order for acquiring more Excalibur precision-guided Artillery ammunition in 2020.
The M777A2 howitzer has the potential to double the system's current artillery range to between 54-70 km depending on the sort of ammunition used. US Army Armament Research, Development and Engineering Center (ARDEC) are working on Extended Range Cannon Artillery (ERCA) project. The module include a modified barrel, suspension and recoil system, and adds approximately 500 kg to the M777’s existing weight, though engineers are working to see if the modification can be effected with no change in the gun’s weight. The Indian Army has been briefed that it has the option of either retrofitting its M777s to the ER standard later, or modifying the Faridabad assembly line itself so that later tranches of the gun could be of the extended range version. But no decisions are made yet.
 
Specifications
Max range       : 40-50Km
Rate of Fire     : 5Rpm
In Service        : ~ 45

Picture

K9-Vajra

The K9 Vajra is the Indian Army’s new self-propelled howitzer (SPH) jointly developed by Larsen and Toubro (L&T) and South Korean defence manufacturer Hanwha Defence. The K9 Vajra-T howitzer is an enhanced version of HTW's K9 Thunder, to suit specific requirements of the Indian Army including desert operations.
 
The 47-ton K9 Vajra-T is powered by a German 1,000 hp MTU MT 881 Ka-500 V8 diesel engine. The K9 has the ability to fire its shells in MRSI mode (Multiple Rounds Simultaneous Impact). In the MRSI mode, the K9 is able to fire three shells in under 15 seconds  1 shell every 5 seconds each in different trajectories so that all of the shells land at their target at the same time.
K-9’s crew is protected by an all-welded steel armor construction which is rated to withstand 14.5 mm armor-piercing rounds, 152 mm shell fragments, and anti-personnel mines, and overall nuclear, biological, and chemical protection. The Vajra is compatible with Indian and standard NATO ammunition.
The K9 Thunder platform is made of all-welded steel armour protection material. The design incorporates a Modular Azimuth Position System (MAPS), an automatic fire-control system (AFCS), a powered gun elevation / depression and a turret traverse system. The hydro-pneumatic suspension system provides high-ground clearance and mobility across different terrains.
K9 Vajra-T manufactured with over 50% indigenous parts.  L&T had started indigenization right from the inception of the programme by replacing 14 critical systems in the Korean ‘K9 Thunder’ with indigenously developed and produced systems for the gun .
Vajra is meant to arm 18 regiments, and replace the 50-year-old 105-mm Abbott, which India inherited from the British in 1964.

Specifications
Max Range      : 52km (K315, HEARP) 100Km using GGAM (under development)
Rate of Fire     : 8 Rpm
In Service        : ~100

Vajra tank​
Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) and the L&T are in talks to possibly convert the Tracked Self-Propelled Howitzer into a light or medium-weight tank that could be used in mountain regions like Ladakh. Three of its howitzers have already reached Leh for high-altitude trials, which could eventually pave way for the Vajras to be converted into a tank.
The chassis or the hull remains the same. The massive 155 mm gun can be replaced by a 105 mm or even 120 mm gun, which will reduce its weight drastically as the design of the turret also changes. More weight reducing technology and material can make its weight close to 30 ton.

Picture

ATHOS 2052

ATHOS is an autonomous, computerized 155 mm 52 cal.towed howitzer. It is rapidly deployed and operable in difficult terrain, having superior cross country abilities using self-mobility. The system has high survivability through a shootand- scoot capability. The system comprises of a modern platform with an APU (Auxiliary Power Unit) and a driver station. The ATHOS utilizes self maneuvering capability and automatic laying mode. Integrated with fully computerized systems, achieving automatic control, accurate navigation and target acquisition, the system is offered with various gun calibers, to meet customer requirements, including all peripheral equipment.
 
Indian army begin the process for acquiring 155mm/52-cal towed howitzers and MGS in 2001 as part of the IA’s Field Artillery Rationalisation Plan, which had been drawn up in 1999. Multiple requests for proposal (RFP) were issued, starting with the first in February 2002. Nearly 14 years ago, the MoD had cleared the proposal for a 155mm/52-cal towed howitzers under the ‘Buy and Make’ category. In the last RFP, which was issued under the UPA government in June 2013, only two companies—ELBIT Systems of Israel (teamed up with the MoD-owned OFB) and Nexter Systems of France (teamed up with Larsen & Toubro) participated. The competition was for the supply of 400 towed howitzers off-the-shelf and licenced-production of another 1,180 howitzers by Ordnance Factory Board (OFB), under a full Transfer of Technology (ToT) process that guarantees 50% local material content.
In March 2019, following exhaustive ‘Field Trials Cum Evaluation Process’ spread over two years of ELBIT’s Autonomous Towed Howitzer Ordnance System or ATHOS (15 tonnes) and Nexter’s Trajan (13 tonnes), ELBIT Systems was declared the lowest bidder (L-1). ELBIT had quoted €477 million for 400 fully-built ATHOS, while Nexter quoted €776 million, which translated into each ATHOS costing €1.2 million, significantly cheaper than the Trajan’s €1.94 million per unit cost. Thus, the ATHOS cost 40% less than the Trajan cost negotiation process was successfully completed between SIBAT, the International Defence Cooperation Directorate of Israel’s Ministry of Defence (representing ELBIT Systems) and the MoD in July 2019.
However, in December 2020, SIBAT wrote a letter to the MoD to expedite contract signature and even stated that in case the MoD wanted to order only 400 ATHOS (for 20 IA medium regiments) and forego the option of licenced manufacture, the related cost corresponding to the ToT process can be deducted from the total contract price. In addition, ELBIT Systems through SIBAT offered the ToT for the 1,180 ATHOS as an option for India, at the same cost as mentioned in the commercial offer made. ELBIT has also committed itself to achieve 70% indigenisation within the contract for the first 400 ATHOS howitzers, starting from the first units. Finally, ELBIT also promised to supply the 400 howitzers much earlier than the contract delivery schedule—the first six within 10 months after contract signing, an additional six within 14 months, and the remainder according to an accelerated delivery schedule, which will ensure finalisation of the deliveries not later than 54 months from the date of contract signature, instead of the 72 months stipulated in the draft contract. For meeting its ambitious 70% indigenisation target, ELBIT has proposed to take the unprecedented step of setting up two parallel production facilities in India, under which it will partner with the Pune-based Kalyani Group’s Bharat Forge Ltd (BFL) for supplying the first 400 ATHOS howitzers. After that, ELBIT has proposed to undertake ToT with OFB to build the next 1,180 howitzers. ELBIT has an existing industrial joint venture (JV) with Bharat Forge called BF-Elbit Advanced Systems, and another JV with Alpha Design Technologies, called Alpha ELSEC, and another JV with Hyderabad-based Aditya Precitech Pvt Ltd.
However, the Army has changed its plans and is now eyeing to only procure 400 of the ATHOS, but the DRDO is objecting to this and says the ATAGS is better and is the weapon of the future.
A final decision on ATHOS is still pending as reported on 28 May.

Picture

BHIM SPH

Bhim SPH is a 155 mm self-propelled howitzer variant of the Arjun main battle tank. It has been prototyped by fitting the South African Denel T6 turret, which comes with the G5 howitzer to the Arjun chassis.
The Indian army required 400 mounted 155-mm /52 howitzers, of which 200 would be mounted on the Arjun chassis and another 200 to be mounted on modified TATRA trucks. The Bhim artillery system has a fully automatic ammunition loading system as well as a turret-mounted auxiliary power unit, which powers all systems. The Bhim's secondary armament consists of a single 7.62 mm machine gun.
 
Trials of the Bhim artillery system were successfully conducted in 1998 and 1999, after that this project has been delayed as Denel has become embroiled in a corruption scandal in India, and hence the Indian Ministry of Defence has suspended the Bhim.

Picture
Picture

FV433 Abbot

The self-propelled artillery variant of the British Army FV 430 series is currently in use only in the Indian and British Armies.
Development of the FV433 took place between 1958 and 1960. In 1965, Vickers presented the ‘Abbot’ to the Indian military. The Indians were impressed with everything about the SPG, apart from its price tag. This resulted in a full-scale investigation by the ‘Value Engineering’ Department of the Vickers Armament Division. Simply put, the Value Engineering process produces a cheaper vehicle, without impact to its tactical capability. The first ‘Value Engineered’ ‘Abbot’ was produced in 1967 and was taken to India for demonstration the same year. The Indian Army was happier with this cheaper ‘Abbot’, so much so that they accepted the vehicle for service.
The VEA was different from the standard Abbot in the following ways:
  • The flotation screen was removed
  • The engine was exchanged for the Rolls-Royce K60 Mark G/1, a variant of the standard engine that only ran on diesel
  • No rubber pads on the tracks
  • No power traverse – turret traverse and gun elevation/depression were manual
  • No electric rammer
  • The armored cover of the roof-mounted gun sight was replaced by a canvas one, sights were replaced with a German model
  • The Commander’s cupola did not rotate and was only equipped with one periscope.
  • No smoke launchers or roof-mounted machine gun
  • Reduced external stowage
 
There were around 80 units in service with Indian army, though they have been replaced by the K9-Vajra-T Howitzer.
​
Specifications
Max Range      : 18 Km
Rate of Fire     : 6-8Rpm
In Service        : Decommissioned

Picture

S-23
​

The 180 mm gun S-23 was a Soviet heavy gun of Cold War era. It was developed in the early 1950s, with the design based on naval guns. It is a heavy gun designed by NII-58 and later shipped off to India. There are 100 of these in service in the Indian Army. It is a towed artillery gun with a length of 10.48 metres. The barrel itself is 8.8 metre in length. The gun weighs a mammoth 21.45 tons. It fires not more than 1 round per minute but has an effective range between 30km and 43 km.
This system was decommissioned from Indian army

KALYANI Howitzers

Bharat 45(GHN-45)
​

Bharat 45 is a derivative of the GC-45 155mm/45-cal towed howitzer that was originally designed by the Canada-based Space Research Corp (SRC). Bharat-45s vectronics suite comes from Israel’s ELBIT Systems. The GHN-45 design was also passed to Israel's Soltam who have manufactured Athos.


Picture

Bharat 52
​

Bharat 52 is an upgraded version of Bharat 45(Need Confirmation). Bharat 52 is a long-range 155 mm 52 caliber gun fully designed and developed in India. Weighing 15 tonnes, Bharat 52 has a firing range of more than 48 km and has a self-propelled ground speed of 30 km per hour and automatic laying mode. Bharat 52 is a new generation of the towed gun, providing a highly maneuverable field artillery solution. It has been designed for accuracy, stability, and reliability during moving and firing maneuvers, and is based on the requirements of the Indian Army. It can fire six rounds in 30 seconds.
The Anti-backlash drive for elevation and traverse make it a truly unique system and a robust solution for superior battlefield operation. It is designed to operate as an all- weather system and has superior all-terrain mobility. Extremely easy to deploy, it takes a team of six crew members to deploy the system within one minute during day time and 1.5 minutes during night time. Bharat-52 in self-propelled mode is capable of achieving a mobility of 30kmph using its own diesel engine and electronic steering system.
It has a total weight of 15 tons, elevation angle from -3° to +72° with a speed of 5° per second. The Bharat 52 is equipped with a fully Load Assist System (LAS) with manual backup arrangement offering a burst rate of fire of 3 rounds in 30 seconds, 16 rounds in 3 minutes in intense rate of fire and 42 rounds in one hour in sustained rate of fire. The physical characteristics Bharat 52 is very similar to Israeli ATHOS.

Picture
Picture

Garuda-105 V2
​

Garuda-105 V2, which is a 105mm gun (Garuda V1 May be) mounted on “Go Anywhere Vehicle”. “Go Anywhere Vehicle” have been indigenously designed and developed by Kalyani Group incorporating niche and advanced technologies.
Garuda 105 has been extensively tested in India and abroad. It is a Hybrid recoil gun which is a new technology that Kalyani have developed using own design. The hybrid part is the metallurgy which reduces the weight and the recoil force of the gun. The 105mm gun normally weighs three and half tonnes and is towed with wheels, usually by a truck. Kalyani have reduced the weight of the gun to 900 kg by using high strength aluminium and hybrid recoil system, which reduced the recoil forces. Then mounted it on a small TATA truck and fired it. So it has become a mounted gun. A slightly bigger version of this gun has been sent to the US now.
 
  • 105mm/37 caliber gun based on the 105 Indian Field Gun
  • Extremely light weight: less than 1 ton
  • Incorporates state of the art Soft Recoil Technology resulting in light weight, modular, high performance howitzer
  • Adaptable for fitment on any in-service light vehicle
  • Shoot and scoot capability
  • Unprecedented precision and accuracy
  • Lower maintenance cost, less number of parts
  • Force multiplier for forward elements
  • Successfully test fired in India and USA
  • Indigenously developed ‘GO ANYWHERE VEHICLE’

Picture
Picture

Bharath ULH (MaRG)
​

Kalyani ULH is an Ultra-light 155 mm, 39 calibre howitzers. Kalyani developed three variants of ULH which can supplement the M777 procured by the Indian Army for mountainous terrain. Kalyani ULH can fire upto 24.7 km and with rocket assisted ammunition, it strike targets upto 30Kms. It is using Conventional Recoil system.
 
Variants
All-titanium ULH: Kalyani All-titanium ULH weighs about 4.8 tonnes.
  • MArG-T (Titanium): Indigenously designed and developed 155mm/39 cal Ultra-Light Howitzer
  • Titanium version of ULH making it extremely lightweight
  • Provides high field maneuverability, flexibility and accuracy
  • Capable of rapid redeployment by battle filed helicopters, existing railway service or towed by light weight limber or utility vehicles
  • Digital fire control, high rate of fire, reliability and easy maintenance
 
All-steel ULH:  Kalyani All-Steel ULH which weighs 6.8-tonne.
Mounted all-steel ULH:  Kalyani All-Steel ULH is mounted on an Ashok Leyland Mk.4 general utility truck for mobility in the mountainous terrain.
  • Indigenously designed and developed 155mm/39 cal Mountain Gun System
  • Mounted on 4x4 wheeled chassis – Go Anywhere Vehicle developed by BEML
  • Provides superior mobility, responsiveness, firepower and crew survivability
  • Offers distinct advantage in the mountains due to its shorter turning radius compared to a towed gun
  • Provides all terrain maneuverability
  • Provides high level of autonomy along with shoot and scoot capability to its users
  • Hydraulic platform adjusts itself to enable comfortable loading and firing
 
Mountain Artillery Gun ( MaRG Extended): This is an upgraded version of the base variant of ULH. MaRG is up-gunned to 155/52mm. This system also has better range compared to the base variant. MaRG also has two variants all steel and all Titanium. MArG Extended will be able to hit range close to 50km.
Super ULH: Kalyani Group is also working on an Ultra-Light Howitzer” Super Ultra-Light Howitzer” .This  incorporating hybrid recoil technology which will bring, the weight  to just 3.2 tons , which makes it much lighter than M777 Howitzer.

Picture
Picture
Bharath ULH

T5-52 Condor 155mm Mounted Gun System(TATA)The Tata Group’s strategic electronics division (Tata Power SED) revealed 03 December 2012 its truck-mounted 155mm howitzer gun.
It was jointly developed by TATA Power SED and South Africa’s DENEL Land Systems. The 155/52 mm howitzer is mounted on an eight-wheeled Tata truck for enhanced mobility. The 'mounted gun system' can fire a six-round salvo on a target 40 km away in less than three minutes.
DENEL Land Systems has supplied the monoblock gun barrel fitted with a double-baffle muzzle brake, gun cradle with an integrated buffer system, swing-and-slide breech mechanism, electrically-activated firing mechanism, autoloader/rammer, ballistics charts, muzzle velocity radar, an automatic laying and land navigation system using a RLG-INS, a panoramic optical-mechanical sight mounted directly to the trunnion, incorporating a compensation system for trunnion, which forms a backup for indirect fire, and a telescopic sight for direct fire that is mounted to the compensation system. Denel of South Africa was blacklisted in 2005 for allegedly paying kickbacks in the purchase of anti-material rifles.
TATA Power SED developed the digital ballistics computer, telecommunications system, the hydraulic system that supplies hydraulic power for deployment of the outriggers and the top-carriage hydraulics, all on-board electrical systems, the gun management computer, and the ‘Rajak’ driver’s vision enhancement system. The customized 8 x 8 truck comes from TATA Motors.
  • T5 Condor 45-caliber G5, mounted on a Tatra 8x8 truck chassis. In development.
  • T5-2000 Condor 52-caliber G5-52, mounted on a Tatra 8x8 truck chassis.

Picture
TATA Power SED’s 155mm-52-cal Motorised Howitzer

Multiple Rocket Launcher Systems 
​


BM-21
​

The BM-21 Grad is a Soviet truck-mounted 122-mm multiple rocket launcher, developed in the early 1960s. The main role of the BM-21 Grad system is to support the division with suppressive fire to counter anti-tank missile, artillery and mortar positions, destroy strong points and eliminate enemy nodes of resistance on the immediate battlefield. This multiple launcher rocket system has a firing range of 20 km with standard rocket and 40 km with extended range rockets (ER Rocket 9M521.). Indian Army is in the process of procuring new Extended Range Rockets for 122mm GRAD BM-21. Grad can fire Free Flight (unguided) and Guided Rockets. 
Indian Army upgraded its BM-21 MRLS. The upgrade was done by Ashok Leyland and L&T. The older Russian truck was replaced with a new Ashok Leyland 6x6 Chassis.  Since the Army already uses the Super Stallion in huge numbers this allows streamlining of logistics, spares & services Indian Army BM-21 Grad. OFB is trying to procure new 122mm Rocket for BM 21, this rocket will have a 40Km range, 15Km with brake ring.
 
Specifications
Max Range      : 40Km
Rate of Fire     : Full salvo in 20s
In Service        : ~150 upgraded BM-21 

Picture
Picture

BM 30-SMERCH (9A52-2T)
The BM-30 Smerch 9K58 Smerch or 9A52-2 Smerch-M is a 300mm Soviet heavy multiple rocket launcher. The most adavanced version of the Smerch is in service with the Indian army. This is a modification of 9A52-2T.
In 2002, the Indian Army carried out a series of firing trials of the modernised Smerch-M system. In December 2005, India placed an order for an initial 38 systems. Deliveries began in May 2007.
Indian smerch features an automatic rocket preparing and launching system and an increased range of up to 90km. The launchers for the Indian Army’s Smerch systems are mounted on Indian designed 10×10 high-mobility vehicles provided by Indian private-sector defence manufacturer Ashok Leyland.  On board there are automated guidance control systems, navigation and topographic location, closed communication systems. Due to this, the preparation time for use does not exceed 2 minutes.  The vehicle is fitted with a hydraulic crane to reload the system.
The IA operates several launcher variants for the Smerch system, each of which has six launch vehicles. Since 2012 Ordnance Factory Board has produced several rocket variants for the system that have a strike range of 70 or 90 km. Smerch can carry out a full salvoin just 38 seconds. The area of ​​destruction is 67.2 ha.  The maximum speed is 90 km / h. Cruising range – 850 km. The combat crew consists of only three military personnel.
​
Specifications
Max Range      : 90 Km
Rate of Fire     : Full salvo in 38 Seconds
In Service        : ~162

Picture
Picture
OFB Manufacturing rockets for Smerch
Picture
Pinaka MBRL

Pinaka is a multi-barrel rocket launch (MBRL) system, which has been developed by the Defence Research and Development Organization (DRDO) for the Indian Army.
The complete MBRL system of Pinaka is comprised of six launcher vehicles, each having 12 rockets with six loader-replenishment vehicles, two command post vehicles with fire control computer and a DIGICORA MET radar. Each Pinaka launcher can work independently, as it is controlled by its own computer. The launch system of Pinaka is comprised up of two pods, which are mounted side-by-side to each other on a Tatra launcher vehicle. Each launcher has the ability to fire all the rockets in one go or only a few - in a different direction than others with the help of its control computer. The Pinaka launcher can operate in different modes — autonomous, standalone, remote and manual.
Enhanced Pinaka Mk-1 will eventually replace the Pinaka Mk-1 missiles. While Mk-1 had a range of 36 km, this enhanced variant can hit a target 45 to 60 km away and has been developed as per requirements of the Indian Army.

Varaints
​

Pinaka Mk1                           : Mark-1 has a range of 38 km
Pinaka Mk1 Enhanced         : Enhanced version of Mark-1 has a range of 45 - 60km
Guided Pinaka                      : Has a range of 75Km
Upgraded Guided Pinaka    : 90Km
Pinaka MK2                          : Has a range of 60-90 Km
Mountain version of Pinaka : 40Km
Pinaka 122mm ER                : 20Km
Pinaka MK3                          : Under Development

Picture
More About Pinaka


Pinaka Mk-2
 
Pinaka Rocket Mark-II, which has evolved from Pinaka Mark-I, is equipped with navigation, guidance and control kit, and is converted to a guided Pinaka. The conversion into improved guided Pinaka rockets has helped in enhancing the range and accuracy of Pinaka.
 
This conversion has led to enhancement of its strike range and considerably improved its accuracy. The accuracy of the missile is estimated to be between 60m-80m at all ranges. In tests Pinaka achieved a CEP of just 8m for 65Km.
The rocket launcher can fire 12 rockets with 1.2 tonne of high explosives within 44 seconds and destroy a target area of 4 sq km at a time. The quick reaction time and high rate of fire of the system gives an edge to the Army during a low-intensity conflict situation. The weapons capability to incorporate several types of warheads makes it deadly for the enemy as it can even destroy their solid structures and bunkers.
The Pinaka is in the process of further improvement. Israel Military Industries teamed up with DRDO to implement its Trajectory Correction System (TCS) on the Pinaka, for further improvement of its CEP. This has been trialled and has shown excellent results. The rockets can also be guided by GPS to improve their accuracy. A wraparound microstrip antenna has been developed by DRDO for this system.
In 2019, an upgraded guided missile version of the system has been test-fired, with a range of over 90 km.


Pinaka MK 3

Mark-III variant will have a range of 120kms and can carry 250kg. Next Generation Pinaka will be replacing Russian Supplied SMERCH Multi-Barrel Rocket Launcher (MBRL) which has a range of 90kms.But Indian army not demanded for such a system yet.
Integrating UAVs with the Pinaka is also in the pipeline.

Mountain version of Pinaka
A mobile high-altitude terrain optimized Pinaka is in development for LAC deployment that can be carried by lighter 6×6 all-terrain military truck, instead of the present 8×8 all-terrain High Mobility vehicle for improved mobility in the high-altitude terrain.
MRLs are still unable properly to engage reverse slope positions in mountain warfare because it is more difficult to determine the trajectory compared to that of a howitzer by adding or removing propellant increments. Due to the fact that India recently an enhanced version of Pinaka MK1 with drag rings and shorter in length has tested for mountain terrains. Drag rings to the rocket nose increases the drag the increased drag slows the rocket down relative to a clean configuration and creates a less flat trajectory.
Even though the rocket shorter in length still it has almost similar Range due to more efficient propellant grains and the accuracy is also better in mountainous terrain. It is believed that this one is specially designed for mountain areas for striking the reverse slope of the mountain, drag rings are the suitable option for optimizing the trajectory for such a strike.

Rocket 122 mm
​

The 122mm rocket has been developed with HE fragmentation warhead. A battery of six launchers can deliver a salvo of 240 rockets in 20 seconds to a maximum range of 20 km and saturate a target area of the size of a football field with more than four tonnes of steel fragments and high explosives.

Picture
Picture
Picture

MRPKS

Medium Range Precision Kill System (MRPKS) is under development rocket system for the Indian army.
The current rocket systems held in the inventory of Indian army cannot be employed with precision in mountainous terrain.  214 mm pinaka and 300mm Smerch MRLS are based on 8*8 and 10*10 TATRA Vehicle configurations respectively. The limited development of road infrastructure in the mountains result s in turning circle diameter (TCD) restrictions. As a result the smerch & pinaka systems have limited usage in Mountainous terrain.
The MRPKS is an indigenous weapon system which is being developed to be mounted on 4*4 in-service vehicles (2.5ton) and hence can be effectively employed in mountainous terrain. The system is configured to have single / double pods able to fire a cassette of 24 rockets each. The launcher would be able to operate in autonomous mode with; long range communication. The ammunition being developed for the weapon system is high precision, medium range rocket having a range of 25km and accuracy of upto 2m at the target end. The accuracy is achieved by an onboard guidance system & a passive IR terminal guidance. The ammunition being a fire & forget rocket will ensure greater efficiency of engagements with precision s like capability being available to own forces
It is proposed to be a vertical launcher, giving a 360 degree employment capability, As also posing no crest clearance issues in hills.

Next part will cover counter artillery 
1 Comment

Military Balance India VS China- Large caliber artillery- Part-2 Chinese Rocket Launchers

6/5/2021

0 Comments

 

Two Soviet Rocket launching system which changed the fate of Chinese artillery are BM-21 Grad & Smerch. Read a brief about those systems before continuing to Chinese Rocket artillery. 

BM-21 (Grad)The BM-21 "Grad" is a Soviet truck-mounted 122 mm multiple rocket launcher. China captured a Russian BM-21s in the 1979 DURING Sino-Vietnamese War. After reverse engineering, it entered service with the PLA in 1982 as type-81.

Chinese variants of BM-21
  • Type 83 SPRL: This is a 24-round version, based on a Dong Feng truck. The launch tubes are arranged in three rows of 8. The launch vehicle has a total combat weight of 8,700 kilograms (19,200 lb) and can also be used as part of the mine-laying rocket system Type 84. Currently new rockets with ranges between 30 and 40 km (19 and 25 mi) are being developed.
  • Type 89 TSPRL: This is basically the 40-round launcher of the BM-21 or Type 81 mounted on a tracked chassis with 520 hp diesel engine. The same chassis is also used for the Type 83 152 mm self-propelled howitzer (PLZ83), the Type 89 120 mm tank destroyer (PTZ89) and several other specialised vehicles. The vehicle has a combat weight of 29.9 short tons (27.1 metric tons) and carries 40 spare rockets. Its current PLA designator is PHZ89.
  • Type 90 SPRL: The NORINCO (China North Industries Corporation) Type 90 40-round multiple rocket system is an indigenously designed and built system equipped with an automatic operating and laying system, an electric firing system and an automatically reloadable pack of 40 rockets. It is very similar to the M-77 Oganj but of 122 mm calibre. The chassis used is the Tiema SC2030 6×6 truck. A Type 90 MRL battalion consists of three batteries, each with 6 self-propelled rocket launchers, 6 ammunition re-supply trucks Tiema XC2200 with 80 rockets and a battery command post on a DongFeng EQ-245 6×6 truck.
  • Type 90A: Modernised version based on a Tiema XC2200 6×6 truck chassis and fitted with a modern fire control system with GPS. The command post vehicle can lay and control a number of Type 90A systems by remote control for maximum firepower.
  • Type 90B: Latest, digitalised version. The rocket launch vehicle is based on a Beifang Benchi 2629 series 6×6 truck (Mercedes-Benz copy) and has a longer cabin. Each set now also has three forward observer vehicles, based on the armoured WZ551.
  • PR50 SPMRL: Development of Type 90B SPMRL with firepower increased by 25% (50 rounds compared to the original 40 rounds). Incorporate features of Weishi series self-propelled multiple rocket launchers (WS SPMRL) series so that the operating cost and overall life cycle cost for both when most components of PR50 is interchangeable with that of WS series. Also incorporated is a feature originated in Type 90B, which is the adoption of rockets of different ranges, so PR50 has a wide range of 20 km to 40 km.
  • WS-6 SPMRL: A light weight and more compact derivative of unguided 122 mm PR50 SPMRL for rapid deployment, with number of tubes reduced by 60% to 40 * from the original 100 of PR50 MLS.
  • WS-22 SPMRL: A guided version of 122 mm PR50 MLS with primitive cascade inertial terminal guidance, with standard range of 20 to 30 km
 
 
Smerch 9K58
​

China reportedly received a small number of the Russian Smerch 9K58 300 mm, 12-tube multiple launch rocket system and its ammunition in 1997. The Smerch 9K58 system is capable of firing a ‘smart’ submunition that has a dual-colour infrared sensors for terminal guidance, which enables the rocket to achieve accuracies previously difficult to achieve with unguided rockets of that range. The submunition is fitted with kinetic energy fragment warheads which are said to be able to penetrate 70mm of armour at an angle of 30° to the normal.Purchase of Smerch turned out to be a blessing for Chinese artillery systems. The experience and technology provided by the Smerch contributed to Chinese artillery technology in a big way.
According to media reports, manufacturers from Russia, Ukraine and Belarus successively provided relevant technology and information including launching system, trajectory control system, rocket and multiple warheads of BM-30 Smerch to China in the early 1990s. Currently China not using Smerch systems, they using indigenous systems based on Smerch technology.

Picture
Smerch 9K58

Chinese Rocket Launchers
 
Type 63
​

The Type 63 multiple rocket launchers is a towed, 12-tube, 107mm rocket launcher based on the Soviet BM-12 MRS. Type 63 was developed in the late 1950's and accepted for service in 1963.  
Most Type 63s have been retired from active service, but a small number is still in service with the specialized formations such as mountain infantry units and Special Forces detachments. In service Type-63s are upgraded. The Type 63 is a very basic system that consists of three rows of four launch tubes which are mounted on a lightweight two wheel carriage. Traverse and elevation is manual. Aiming is done in a similar way as with a mortar. Type 63 launchers have been fitted on a variety of vehicles. The effective range is 8.5km. Longer range rockets have been developed. All 12 rounds can be fired in 7 to 9 seconds. The Type 63 is mainly used against infantry positions. The Type 63 is towed by a light truck, which also carries the crew and additional ammunition. Due to its low weight the Type 63 can be towed manually over short distances. Many Type 63 launchers have been fitted on light trucks in order to increase the mobility even further.
The weapon fires electrically initiated 107mm rockets fitted with HE-Fragmentation warheads. The Type 63-2 ammunition introduced in 1975 is an 18.8kg rocket containing an 8.3kg TNT warhead, which can produce a 12.5m radius blast when detonated. The maximum firing range is 8.5km. The PLA has also developed an incendiary rocket fitted with a warhead containing White Phosphorous (WP) and Aluminium. Other types of rockets include HE anti-tank (HE-AT) and chaff dispensing round. In service Type-63 can fire HE, HE-Fragmentation warhead, HE-incendiary and Jamming rockets.
This rocket system is operated by a crew of 5. It takes around 2 minutes to prepare this artillery system for firing from travelling order. The Type 63 is reloaded manually by the crew. Reloading takes only 3 minutes. Type 63 is fitted with an optical sight for day light operations.

Specifications

Max range       : 9Km
Fire Power      : 12 Rockets in 6-9 Seconds
In Service        : Unknown numbers


Variants

Type 81: is an improved truck-mounted variant
Type 63-I: A pack model developed for use by airborne and mountain units weigh 281 kg in the firing position and can be dismantled into manpack loads. Type 63-I is 136 kg lighter than the basic model.
Type 85: Type 85 is a single-tube launcher, based on a tripod.
Haseb or Fadjr-1: Iranian version
Taka: Sudan version
RO 107: South African version
VTT-323: North Korean version
H-12:  is a Vietnamese version.
RL812/TLC: is an Egyptian version.
T-107: is a Turkish version.
Type 63 multiple rocket launcher of 130mm: Type 63 130mm MBRL has 19 tubes arranged in two lines of nine and ten tubes.

Picture
130 mm Type 63 multiple rocket launcher
PHZ-89 (Type-89)
​

The PHZ89 (also known as Type 89) is the 122mm, 40-tube self-propelled multiple rocket launcher (MRL) that entered the PLA service in 1990. It was developed in the mid 1980's to fulfill the need for a multiple rocket launcher that could keep up with main battle tanks in the field. This is an improved variant of the Type 81 MRL system. It was adopted by the PLA in 1989.
The PHZ89 is mounted on the Type 321 utility tracked chassis developed from the Type 83 152mm self-propelled gun-howitzer. At the rear of this vehicle a turret platform with standard 40 round 122mm rocket launcher is fitted. At the side of this platform there a small box that houses the gunner and anti-aircraft machinegun. In front of the launcher a box with second ammunition load is located, which significantly increases the reload speed. A second load of 40 missiles can be reloaded in only a few minutes.
The PLA issued a number of requirements for the improvement of the design, including automated launcher operation and reloading, the addition of a 12.7mm anti-aircraft machine gun (AAMG), reduced noise and collective anti-NBT system.
PZH89 fires 122mm spin stabilized rockets of the same pattern as used in the Soviet BM-21 Grad and a wide variety of warheads is available. The launcher holds 40 rockets that can be ripple fired in 20 seconds. The standard rockets have a range of 20 km and models with a range of 30 and 40 km have been developed. These rockets carry a high explosive (HE). A 12.7mm QJC88 heavy machine gun is mounted for self-defense. Firing accuracy is attained by a computerized fire-control system, which can receive target information automatically from the command vehicle, or by manual input. The fire-control computer then calculates the ballistic and adjusts according to the vehicle’s slope and gradient before launch.
The vehicle is powered by a WR-4B 520hp liquid-cooled diesel. The chassis has six unevenly spaced road wheels and three track support rollers. The system has a combat weight of 30t and a maximum road speed of 55km/h. The system is operated by a crew of five men, who are protected by limited armour protection and a centralised NBC-protection system.

Specifications
Max Range      : 40Km
Fire Power       : 40 Rockets in 20 Seconds
In Service        : ~100 (200-300 as per some other sources)
Picture

  
PHL-96

PHL-96 is visually similar to BM-30 missile. It is based on the Wanshan WS-2400 8 x 8 cross country truck. However, the PHL-03 and BM-30 do not share interchangeable parts, so they are distinct missiles despite their similar appearance. The Chinese vehicle utilizes a German-designed diesel engine, transmission and hydraulics, manufactured by Wanshan in China, following a technology transfer from ZF Friedrichshafen. The program actually begun in the late 1990s. The program went through major redesign changes when the BM-30 Smerch was purchased. Although dubbed by many Chinese as a guided self-propelled multiple rocket launching system (SPMRLS), the PHL96 is not strictly speaking a guided SPMRLS because, technically, none of rockets are guided - the guidance is actually achieved via the sub-munitions, such as the 9M55K1 cluster munition. Only a very limited number of the PHL96 entered Chinese service because its successor, the PHL03, entered service shortly after.
PHL-96 was used as a basis to develop Chinas own MLRS version with the designation PHL-03, which retained the original Russian configuration with 12 rocket tubes.
While the Chinese and Russian rockets are similar in dimensions, according to their Chinese manufacturers the Chinese rockets are different internally and incompatible and therefore cannot be substituted for their Russian counterparts.
 
Specifications
​

Max Range      : 150Km?
Fire Power       : Full Salvo in 40S?
CEP                  :?
In Service        : Very Few 

PHL-03(Type-03, AR-2)

The PHL03 is a highly digitized PHL96 with a computerized fire control system (FCS) incorporating GPS/GLONASS, similar to that of the Type 90A SPMRL, with a four-man crew (compared with three for the BM-30/PHL96), which entered service around 2004-2005.
The main role of this artillery rocket system is to engage remote strategic targets, such as airfields, command centers, support facilities, air defense batteries, and large concentrations of troops and so on.
The PHL03 launch vehicle is based on a 8X8 wheeled chassis, with twelve launch tubes mounted on it. The tubes are arranged as two blocks of four with a single row of four above. The launcher has a crew of four and is capable of single or salvo firing. A transloader based on the same wheeled chassis carries an additional 12 rockets. The transloader provides for mechanised loading of the launch vehicle, by means of a hydraulic crane mounted on the vehicle.
The PHL03 fires 300mm rocket powered by a solid propellant (possibly HTTB) rocket motor. A standard rocket weights around 800 kg and has a 280 kg warhead. Maximum range of fire is 70-130 km depending on the warhead type. Though some sources report that rockets of this system has a maximum range of 150 km. The rockets are unguided solid propellant artillery rockets with wrap around folding fins. Rockets are available with High Explosive Fragmentation (HE-FRAG), fuel-air explosive, and cluster warheads with anti-armor and anti-personnel submunitions. Cluster warheads may also carry self-targeting anti-tank munitions. A full salvo of this system could potentially cover an area of up to 67 hectares.
The PHL 03 is based on a Wanshan WS2400 special wheeled chassis with 8x8 configuration. This military vehicle has good cross-country mobility and can travel off-road.
 
The PHL03 is an unarmored system that is vulnerable to any kind of direct and indirect fire. Its long range allows it to engage enemy systems beyond their maximum range, operating in relative safety.
The system is beginning to be replaced by the more modular and newer PHL-16.
 
Specifications

Max Range      : 150kms
Fire Power       : Full salvo in 38S
CEP                 :< 30?
In Service        : 175
 
Variants
 
AR2: Export designation of the PHL03 in service with the Chinese army with identical configuration. It has been exported to Morocco.
 
Extended Range PHL-03: in October 2020 Chinese state-owned media has reported that the People’s Liberation Army Ground Force’s (PLAGF’s) Tibet Military District is deploying what it claims to be a new, longer-range, and more accurate rocket with modified PHL-03 multiple rocket launchers (MRLs). The new rocket, the range of which claims is 30 km greater than that of the standard rockets used by the system. Given that the unguided BRC4, BRE2 and the guided Fire Dragon 140A 300 mm rockets used by the 8×8 PHL-03 all have a maximum range of about 130 km, the information provided by CCTV suggests that the new guided rocket – the designation of which was not revealed – has a maximum range of about 160 km.
The exterior of the PHL-03 appears not to have undergone any major modifications but the system now features a “higher level of information and intelligence”: a possible indication that it has been fitted with an improved fire-control suite.


Picture

A-100​

A 100 was a Chinese attempt to create a powerful rocket system, similar to a Russian Smerch. In 1997 China received a small number of Soviet Smerch multiple launch artillery rocket systems. At the time the Smerch was the most powerful system of its type in the world. So eventually Chinese created an indigenous system, which was modeled after the Smerch. The A100 reportedly appeared in 2002.
In many respects it is similar to the Smerch - the A100 fires 300 mm rockets and is based on a heavy high mobility truck chassis. However manufacturers insist that it is completely different system. The A-100 rocket is fitted with a simple guidance system for greater accuracy. The A100 was trialed by the Chinese army; however a PHL-03 was selected instead, which was a close copy of the Smerch. The A100 was proposed for export customers. Its improved version has been exported to Pakistan and Tanzania. Pakistan procured a battalion of A100E systems (36 launchers). It was purchased in response to India's acquisition of the Russian 9A52-2T Smerch (variant of the original Smerch). The A-100 fires 300 mm solid propellant rockets, with a firing range of 40~100 km.
 
Variants
 
A100E/AR-1A: A100E is an improved version of the A100. It has been exported to Pakistan, and possibly, Tanzania. In 2019, Pakistan's inter service public relations released an official statement regarding the indigenously developed A-100 and its induction as part of its Multiple Launch Rocket System of the artillery corps.
 
AR-1: AR-1 is an improved version of A-100. AR-1 is an 8*8 series first appeared in 2009. This is actually the first model of the Chinese versions of the BM-30 SPMRL.
A200:  A200 is a further development of the A100
A300: A300 is a further development of the A200.

Picture
Picture

AR-1A (A-100E)
 
The AR1A is an improved version fitted a with re-arranged rocket tubes of the A-100 and the Russian Smerch system. FSUE Splav (Tula) took part in the development of the rocket projectile for this Chinese system.  AR1A was introduced during the late 1990s, but was not adopted by the Chinese army. The AR1A artillery rocket system was first demonstrated in 2009. It is a modular MLRS, based on a Russian Smerch technology. The AR1A is being proposed for export customers. Recently it was reported that Armenia ordered unspecified number of these artillery rocket systems.
AR1A 300 mm MRLS can execute fire missions normally by battalion or battery as its basic firing unit, yet it can also execute fire missions autonomously by single launcher with advanced meteorological survey systems, command & control system and support system, effective fire assault and neutralization of various ground targets can be implemented.
The AR-1 and AR1A are the same the difference is that the AR1 has 2 x 4 300mm vs the AR1A 2 x 5 300mm and few more changes like the entire launcher unit can be replaced in-the-field by an accompanying support vehicle. 

Specifications
​

Max Range      : 130Km
Fire Power       : 10 Rounds/60S
CEP                 : 30m?
In Service        : Not Inducted 

Picture

A-200

A200 is a further development of the A100. It carries a total of 8 rockets in 2 pods. These rockets have a range of up to 200 km. The arrangement of A200 is different from A100 in that each launching box consists of three rows of launching tubes, three on the top and bottom respectively, and two in the middle. A200 rockets also have additional forward control surfaces that were not present on A100 rockets. The A200 is an export name. Belarus obtained a number of these rocket systems. However these are based on indigenous 8x8 heavy high mobility chassis and are locally known as the Polonez. Chinese army showed no interest to the A200.
The rockets have a maximum range of 200 km. Minimum range is 50 km. Rockets have inertial guidance with satellite navigation update. CEP is around 30 meters; it adopts GNSS/INS integrated system for the whole course. It employs warhead-body separation, maneuvering flight and other high-tech. The launching vehicle that compatible with A100 can perform autonomous positioning and orientating as well as high speed maneuvering. The system adopts the rocket loading cubicle integrated hoisting type which could speed up the re-loading process. The A200 rockets carry warheads that weight around 100-150 kg. Three types of warheads are available.
This system is also capable of carrying and launching 2 containers with Chinese M20 short-range ballistic missiles. The M20 missile has a range of 280 km and can carry a 480 kg warhead. Also it is nuclear capable. This artillery system is operated by a crew of 3 to 5 men, depending on the vehicle it is based on. It can use Chinese Taian TA5450, Wanshan WS2400 or similar 8x8 heavy high mobility chassis, which has a payload capacity of around 20 t.
 
Specifications
​

Max range       : 200Km
CEP                 : 30m
Fire Power       : 8 rounds / 50S
In Service        : Not inducted 

Picture

A-300

The A-300 is a 300 mm, 10-tube multiple rocket launcher developed by Beijing-based China Academy of Launch Vehicle Technology (CALT, also known as 1st Space Academy) for the Chinese PLA ground forces. The A-300 is one of the latest Chinese artillery rocket systems. Actually the A300 is an export name. The A300 is a two-stage artillery rocket designed based on the current A200 hybrid rocket system. The new system has increased range of fire. It is being proposed for export customers. In 2015 it has been reported that Chinese army will purchase this system. The A300 is designed to attack important area targets well behind the enemy lines. Due to its range and powerful warhead the A300 might be one of the deadliest artillery rocket systems in the world.
The launcher vehicle carries 2 pods with four 300 mm rockets each. It is a derivative of Weishi Rockets WS-1 with simple cascade terminal inertial guidance. It has been reported that the A300 is a modular system, which can also use pods of A200 and possibly other calibers. The A300 has a range of 120-290km.Currently this Chinese artillery rocket system has the longest range in the world. The A300 rocket carries a 150 kg warhead. It is believed that several types of warheads are available. The rocket has a larger engine which can boost an unpowered second stage with vanes for lift and control fins directed by an inertial measuring unit-navigation satellite guidance system. CEP is about 30 to 45 meters. So these rockets are very accurate even at maximum range. It has been reported that these rockets maneuver in flight in order to overcome air defenses.
A-300 Launcher is capable of single or salvo firing. It takes 50 seconds to launch a full salvo of 8 rockets. It is claimed that each rocket can be targeted individually. So the A300 can hit up to 8 different targets simultaneously. This artillery system is operated by a crew of 5, including commander, driver and operators. Rockets can be launched directly from the cab, or remotely from the vehicle, by using a remote control unit.
Launcher of the A300 system is based on Taian TA5450 8x8 heavy high mobility vehicle. This vehicle has a fullt-time all wheel drive and is fitted with a central tyre inflation system. It has a good cross-country mobility and can operate off-road.
This artillery rocket system is well suited for shoot-and-scoot missions. From travelling it takes only a couple of minutes to prepare the launcher vehicle for launch. Once the rockets are fired vehicle can briefly redeploy in order to avoid counter-battery fire. Also it might be a hard nut for the enemy to intercept due to its extremely long range.
Each A300 launcher is supported by an associated reloading vehicle. It is based on the same 8x8 high mobility chassis, is fitted with a hydraulic crane and carries a full set of reload rockets. Reloading usually takes place away from the firing position in order to avoid counter-battery fire.
A battery of A300 launchers is also supported by command post vehicle, based on 6x6 high mobility chassis. However in case of emergency each launcher vehicle can operate autonomously.
 
Specifications
​

Max Range      : 290km
CEP                 : 30-45m
Rate of Fire     : 8 Rockets/ 50s
In Service        : Unknown

Picture


AR-3

In 2011 AR-3 MLRS was revealed. The AR-3 is similar to the AR1A, but it is even more powerful. It carries a total of 8 launch tubes with 370 mm guided rockets. These have a range of up to 220 km. The AR3 Multiple Launch Rocket System (MLRS) can fire both 370 mm and 300 mm rockets by using launching-transporting container system.
 
Based on an 8x8 chassis, it is able to fire guided and unguided rockets. Designed for deployment at battalion or battery level, the AR3 can also be operated as a stand-alone single launcher. Reaction time is 20 seconds at battalion level or 15 seconds at battery level. According to NORINCO, it features an advanced meteorological survey system, command-and-control system and support system, as well as a high degree of automation. In order to improve the accuracy, the system is equipped with AR3 computer fire control system, as well as ground-based navigation system. This allows the MLRS to take a position, open fire and leave the position much faster and therefore increase the chances of survival in a possible counter-battery fire. АR-3 has a circular error probable of less than 50 meters.
 
With guided rockets and simple controlled rockets, the AR3 MLRS features long range, high firing accuracy, great battlefield coverage, mass and violent fire-power, high lethality ammunition, as well as highly automatic operation, short fire reaction time, high mobility and high survivability. By accurately suppressing and eliminating enemy strong-point, area targets and concentrated targets with instantaneous and intensive fire-power, AR3 370 mm / 300 mm MLRS provides significant campaign and tactical values.
The AR3 MLRS can execute fire missions normally by battalion or battery as its basic firing unit, yet it can also execute fir missions autonomously by single launcher. With advanced meteorological survey system, command & control system and support system, effective fire assault and neutralization of various ground targets can be implemented.
AR-3, can even switch to the 750-millimeter Fire Dragon 480 tactical ballistic missile and TL-7B anti-ship missile, the report said.
AR3 vehicle accessories include: a weapons of mass destruction protection system, fire control system, night vision devices, GPS positioning system, air conditioning system and tire pressure regulation system. So far it received no production orders.
 
Specifications
Max Range     : 220Km
Fire Power      :  Full salvo in 60S
CEP                : 50m
In Service        : Not inducted
 
Variants
PHL-16(PCL-191)

Picture

PHL-16(Type PCL-191)
​

The PHL-16 is a truck-mounted multiple rocket launcher (MRL) system developed by the People's Republic of China. It is based on the AR-3 MRL developed by Norinco. The PHL-16 is one of the most capable rocket systems in the world. The main role of the PHL-16 is to engage remote strategic targets, such as airfields, command centers, support facilities, air defense batteries, concentrations of troops and vehicles and so on. The PHL-16 was unveiled during China's National Day parade in 2019. The PHL16 is in service with the Chinese army since around 2016.
 
Unlike the earlier PHL-03, which is loaded with a fixed type of ammunition, the new PHL-16 has two modularized launch cells, which can carry different types of ammunition. The PHL16 and AR3 launch long range artillery rockets that use a solid propellant and follow a ballistic arc. Each launch cell can carry either five 300 mm rockets or four 370 mm rockets. The system is capable of firing eight 370 mm rockets a distance of 350 km or two 750 mm ballistic missiles 500 km.  As far as the system uses pods with missiles, it can be configured to use rockets of different caliber. Some sources report that it is capable of launching tactical ballistic missiles and anti-ship missiles. The previous AR3 can also carry pods with 300 mm rockets, Fire Dragon 480 tactical ballistic missiles and TL-7B anti-ship missiles. Satellite guidance allows for a CEP of less than 30 m at maximum range.
 
 This rocket system is operated by a crew of 5. The rockets or missiles can be launched without leaving the cabin. Preparation for launch takes around 5 minutes. Rockets and missiles can be also launched remotely from the vehicle by using remote control unit. Once the rockets are launched the launcher vehicle can leave its firing position within 1 minute. Brief redeployment time allows avoiding counter battery fire.
 
 The vehicle is based on the 45 ton WS2400 8x8 special wheeled vehicle chassis. This high mobility vehicle has 8x8 configuration and can travel over difficult terrain. The same wheeled chassis is used for most recent Chinese large-caliber multiple launch rocket systems and various missile systems. Vehicle has good cross-country mobility and can travel over all kinds of rough terrain and unimproved surfaces. It can operate in various climatic conditions, ranging from -20°C to +55°C. The diesel engine provides a maximum road speed of 60 km/h. Operational range on roads is 650 km.
 
Vehicle has an armored cab which provides some degree of protection for the crew from small arms fire and artillery shell splinters. Launcher vehicles can operate in battery, battalion, or autonomously. A typical battery includes launcher vehicles, reloading vehicles, command post vehicle, meteorological survey vehicle and other associated support vehicles.
Each launcher vehicle is supported by a dedicated reloading vehicle. It is based on a similar 8x8 heavy high mobility chassis and is fitted with a crane. It carries 2 pods with reload pods. It takes around 20 minutes to replace empty pods. Reloading usually takes place remotely from firing position in order to avoid counter-battery fire.
While the PHL16 is an expensive system, it has the ability to strike targets that would otherwise require more expensive tactical missiles or air strikes.
 
Specifications
 
Max Range      : 350Km with Rockets, 500Km with Ballistic Missile
CEP                 : 30m
Rate of Fire     : Full salvo under 60S
In service         : Unknown (probably less than 100)

Picture
Picture

Type-81(PHL-81)

The Type 81 is a self-propelled 122 mm multiple rocket launcher (SPMRL.It is a variant of the Soviet BM-21 Grad. The Type 81 was the first in a family of Chinese self-propelled 122 mm rocket launchers.
The Type 81 features a 40 round 122mm rocket launcher that is directly copied from the BM-21 Grad design. The launcher is placed on the rear of the indigenous SX2150 heavy duty 6x6 truck. Of the 7 crew members four are seated in the cab and the other three on the resupply vehicle or on a folding bench between the cab and the launcher. In the firing position the windows are covered by metal blast shields. This artillery rocket system is reloaded manually.
 
The spin-stabilized rocket fired by the Type 81 may be armed with a high explosive warhead or a steel fragmentation warhead.  The launcher holds 40 rockets that can be ripple fired in 20 seconds. Additional rockets are carried on resupply vehicles and it takes 7 men 8 to 10 minutes to reload. The standard rockets have a range of 20 km and models with a range of 30 and 40 km have been developed, although it is unknown if the Type 81 can use them or if they are restricted to newer designs. Rockets can be launched from the inside of the driver's cab or remotely from the vehicle.
 
Specifications
Max range       : 30km
Fire Power       : 40roundsin 20S
CEP                 : 90m?
In Service        : 550 PHL 81+ PHL-90
 
Variants 
Type 81: PHL-81. The Type 81 mounts a 40-round launcher on an OQ261 Honyan 6X6 truck chassis.
 
Type 83
 
Type 89(PHZ-89)
 
Type 90(PHL-90)
 
Type 90A (PHL-90A)
 
Type 90B: Type 90B is an upgrade of the Type 90A. The 40-round launchers are mounted on a Beifang Benchi 2629 6×6 trucks. The system adds WZ551 reconnaissance vehicles, and the command vehicle has improved command and fire control systems.
 
PHL-11: PHL-11 is a wheeled multiple rocket launch system based on export-orientated SR-4. People's Liberation Army adopted SR-4 in 2011, the vehicle received designation PHL-11. It shares the same modular 122 mm rocket pod configuration on that of SR-4.
 
PHZ-11: PHZ-11 shares the same modular 122 mm rocket pod configuration on SR-4 and PHL-11; however the support platform is based on the tracked chassis of PLZ-05 and PGZ-09.

Export variants 

PR50: Part of the WS export series. The vehicle has fire power increased by 25% to 50 round from the original 40 rounds. Incorporate features of WS SPMRL series so that the operating cost and overall life cycle cost for both. Also incorporated is a feature originated in Type 90B, which is the adoption of rockets of different ranges, so PR50 has a wide range of 20 km to 40 km. The Chinese name for PR50 SPMRL is Sha Chen Bao (沙尘暴), meaning Sandstorm, and the system made its public debut in 2006 at the 6th China International Aviation & Aerospace Exhibition.
 
WS-22: WS-22 is a guided version of 122 mm PR50 SPMRL with simple cascade inertial terminal guidance, with standard range of 45 km.
 
SR-4: The SR-4 can trace its lineage to the Type 81, but featuring 50 tubes arranged into two pods mounted on a wheeled chassis. The range is 50 km. The weapon system is derived from the modular naval rocket launcher on the PLA Navy Chinese frigate Changsha (516) The wheeled chassis is based on Shaanxi SX2190KA.
 
SR-5: SR-5 MRL is a self-propelled MLS which first made its public debut in 2012 Eurosatory, similar to the HIMARS. SR-5 is a fully computerized and digitized system with modular design concept to enable both the 122 mm rocket series and 220 mm rocket series to be adopted on a single chassis, using the same fire control and support systems, hence greatly reduces the operational cost. The SR-5 has been exported to Algeria, Bahrain and Venezuela.
 
SR-7: The SR-7 is a scaled-down variant, with either one pod of twenty 122 mm rockets or six 220 mm rockets. The maximum range is 50 km for the 122 mm rocket and 70 km for the 220 mm rocket.

Picture

Type- 82
​

The Type 82 Artillery is a 30-tube 130 mm multiple rocket. It is replacing the 19 tube 130 mm multiple rocket launcher of the Type 70 (on an YW 531C) and Type 63 (on a 4X4 truck). The Type 82 multiple launch rocket system was developed by NORINCO in the early 1980s. It replaced the ageing Type 63 130 mm artillery rocket system in service with Chinese army. Both the Type 63 and Type 82 systems fire the same rockets.
In Type-82 30 tubes arranged in three lines of ten tubes. All the tubes are parallel to each other and mounted co-axially on a cradle. Ammunition used with the MBRL is in the form of Rocket which consists of one piece. Warhead is attached with rocket motor. A fixed amount of propellant is contained in the rocket motor. The rocket is stabilized with a slow spin.
 
Only a limited number of these rocket systems were built and it was replaced with more capable Type 81. Some of them are still in service with reserve forces.

Specifications

Max Range      : 10 Km
Fire Power       : Full salvo in 17S
CEP                  :?
In Service        : ~100 in reserve 

Picture

Type -83(WM-83)
​

Type-83 is an improved variant of Type 81. The Type 83 mounts a 24-round launcher on a 6x6 truck chassis.
The Type 83 mounted on a tracked vehicle chasis, has four tubes arranged in a single line. The modernised and upgraded WM-80 Multi-Barrel Rocket Launcher, mounted on the rear of a TA-550 8X8 cross-country truck chassis, has eight tubes arranged in two lines of four tubes. The WM-80 features a reload time of 5 to 8 minutes, and a digital ballistic computer which provides positioning and fire direction for an accuracy of less than 2% of the range to the target. The Type 83 273mm rocket is a fin stabilized high explosive rocket. The rocket is olive drab with black markings, and weighs 484 kilograms 
Norinco has updated the WM-80. The updated system was designated WM-120. Compared with the basic version, the new MLRS range was increased by 40 kilometers to 120 kilometers.

Specifications

Max range       : 80Km
Rate of Fire     : Full salvo in 30S?
CEP                 :?
In Service        : unknown

Variants
WM-80
WM-120
Picture

Type-89(PHZ-89)

This is an improved variant of the original Type 81 MRL system.  It was adopted by the PLA in 1989. The Type 89 mounts a type of 40-round box launcher on the armored tracked chassis of the Type 83 self-propelled gun. The rockets may be fired in 20 seconds. The launcher is mounted at the rear with a reload pack in front. The rocket launcher of the PHZ89 was developed from the Type 81. The PHZ89 is mounted on the Type 321 utility tracked chassis developed from the Type 83 152mm self-propelled gun-howitzer.
The PLA issued a number of requirements for the improvement of the design, including automated launcher operation and reloading, the addition of a 12.7mm anti-aircraft machine gun (AAMG), reduced noise and collective anti-NBT system. A prototype rolled out in February 1987. The PHZ-89 entered service within the PLA in 1999
Type 89 can fire 40 122mm rockets in 20 seconds. The launcher is at the back of the vehicle, and the reload pack at front. A similar configuration is featured in a previously undisclosed and un-designated 40-round system that was apparently seen in public for the first time at the October 1999 parade in Beijing celebrating the 50th anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic of China. This system is mounted on a variant of the Type 85 Armored Personnel Carrier, also known as YW 531H and the M-1967 APC, which is the 5 road wheel successor to the YW 531.
Ammunition used with the MBRL is in the form of a rocket which consists of one piece. Warhead is attached with rocket motor. A fixed amount of propellant is contained in the rocket motor. The rocket is stabilized with a slow spin.  Chinese 122mm rockets are available with ranges of 20 km, 30 km, 40 km and 50 km each of which can be combined with different types of warheads (18-22kg) including Fuel-Air-Explosive (FAE), High-Explosive (HE), High-Explosive Fragmentation (HE-frag) with 3,000 to 5,700 fragments.The vehicle has a crew of five-man and is powered by a diesel engine developing 520-hp and a top speed of 55 kilometers per hour. The maximum range is 450 kilometers.
Firing accuracy is attained by a computerised fire-control system which receives the information on its target (distance, location,) and the meteorological conditions (wind,) and thus calculates the ideal firing position. , which can receive target information automatically from the command vehicle, or by manual input. The fire-control computers then calculates the ballistic and adjust according to the vehicle’s slope and gradient before launch.
The PHZ89 122mm Multiple Rocket Launcher System can be reloaded by its automatic reloading system within 3 minutes. This reloading system was influenced by Czechoslovakian RM-70 MLRS. The Type 89 also can be reloaded manually.
 
Specifications

Max Range      : 50Km
Rate of Fire     : Full salvo (40) in 20s
CEP                 : >30m?
In Service        : ~300

Variant
​

SH-3

Picture

Type 90(PHL-90)
​

The Type 90 is the second-generation truck-mounted 122mm 40-tube multiple launch rocket system developed by NORINCO in the mid-1990s as a successor to the   Type 81 and Type 89 combat vehicles. The Type 90 has been promoted by NORINCO to the export market. It is currently in service with the People's Liberation Army of China and the Omani land forces
The Type 90 shares the 40-round launcher with PHZ-89. The biggest difference on the Type 90 is the reload pack carrying 40 spare rockets, which can reload the rocket launcher within 3 minutes after the first launch, providing additional firepower with quick turnarounds. The launcher is mounted on the improved North-Benz 2629 6X6 truck.
The Type 90 missiles could be fired with the Type 81 BM combat vehicle. The Type 90 is also supported by a large formation of ground equipment including a battery command truck, rocket reloading trucks, reconnaissance APC, meteorological radar, and maintenance vehicles. Greater firing accuracy is ensured by the use of a computerised fire-control system integrated with GPS on the improved Type 90B. The weapon system could deliver intensive fire-power over a distance of 40km within a very short period. The weapon was designed to engage large area targets such as armour formation, airport, weapon storages, etc. NORINCO has developed a range of warheads for different purposes.
The Type 90 fires 122mm fin-stabilized free rockets to a minimum range of 10~12km and a maximum range of 20~40km depending on the rocket type. The combination of spin- and fin-stabilization ensures closely grouped fire. The rocket can deliver High-Explosive (HE), High-Explosive Fragmentation (HE-FRAG), High-Explosive Incendiary (HEI), anti-tank/anti-personnel submunitions, and mind-laying warheads of 18.3~22kg at standard range, or 26~28kg at reduced range.
The electrically powered launcher has four rows of 10 tubes mounted above each other on a rotating cradle assembly. The launch tubes have an elevation range of 0° to 55° and azimuth range of -102° to +102°. The truck is equipped with two hydraulically operated stabilizers at rear which are lowered in preparation for the rocket launch.
The rocket launcher can be operated in manual, semi-automatic, or automatic modes. The electrical firing system fires the rockets in either single or in salvo with 0.5 seconds interval. The launcher can be operated inside the driver’s cab or remotely outside the vehicle. The reloading rack located in front of the launcher can load the launcher in under 3 minutes. The truck is equipped with a hydraulically operated foldable canvas cover, which covers the launcher and the reloading rack when the truck is in travelling mode.
The vehicle is fitted with slope and gradient sensors, launcher elevation and azimuth sensors, as well as GPS and computerized fire control system to ensure higher firing accuracy.
 
Specifications

Max Range      : 30Km
Fire Power       : 20S for Full salvo
CEP                 : ?
In Service        : 325 produced.

 Variants

Type-90A (PHL-90A): The upgraded version of Type-90
Type-90B: The improved Type 90B was first revealed in 2004.

Picture

Type-90A (PHL-90A)

The upgraded version of Type-90. Artillery unit of the Type 90A combat vehicle is mounted on the modified mounting chassis of the Tiema XC2200 6×6 truck. In fact, this is a Chinese copy of the German 8-t truck Mercedes-Benz 2026. The combat vehicle has similar characteristics as the Type 90, except for the length (9700 mm), height (3200 mm), ford depth (700 mm) and turning radius (11 m). Type-90A able to fire unguided rockets, new computerized fire control, command post can lay and control Type 90A launchers units by remote control.
 
Improvement of the Type-90 A include the following
  • Capability to launch all kinds of 122mm caliber unguided rockets at a maximum range of 40Km, together with a blast and ignition head.
  • Installation of new fire control system, including a GPS System
  • High level of automation for the operators
  • Provision of guidance and control for multiple combat vehicles from the command and control vehicle.
 
Type 90B
 
Type 90B is an upgrade of the Type 90A. The 122 mm Type 90B multiple launch rocket system is a mobile fire support system for the destruction of a variety of targets by means of multiple barrages of up to 40 rockets at a time. The Type 90B is able to be in combat position, to fire and leave its firing position in less than 7 minutes. The Chinese-made Type 90B 122mm MLRS (Multiple Launch Rocket System) is fully operational with the Peruvian army. In 2013, Peru has ordered 27 Type 90B MLRSs to China that was delivered in 2015.
 
The electrically powered launcher has four rows of 10 tubes of 122mm mounted above each other on a rotating cradle assembly at the rear of a 6x6 truck chassis. The launch tubes have an elevation range of 0° to 55° and azimuth range of -102° to +102°. A hydraulically operated collapsible awning is mounted over the rear deck for use as protection and camouflage. The truck is equipped with two hydraulically operated stabilisers at rear which are lowered in firing position. The electrical firing system fires the rockets either singly or in a salvo with 0.5 second between rounds. Firing is accomplished either inside the driver's cab or remotely outside the vehicle. The automatic reloading system consists of elevator, rack and feeder with three modes of control. 40 rockets can be loaded in less than 3 minutes. The launcher is controlled by the computer through man/machine interaction.
 
The Type 90B MLRS fires 122mm fin-stabilized rockets and use a composite solid propellant. The rockets can reach a range from 20 to 40 km depending on the rocket type. These rockets can be equipped with the following warhead types: standard High Explosive (HE), High-efficiency HE containing steel balls for greater fragmentation effect, High-efficiency HE Incendiary (HEI), Cargo containing anti-personnel/anti-tank sub-munitions, Mine containing anti-tank mines. The rockets can also be launched by other 122 mm multiple rocket systems.
 
Type 90B is a modern design, mounting the launcher on the North-Benz 2629 truck, a 6 x 6 configuration vehicle. The truck is fitted with a forward control type cab. The Type 90B features an automatic operating and laying system which is composed of a mini-computer, a launcher direction finder/display, longitudinal and transversal slope and gradient sensors, launcher assembly elevation and traverse position sensors, and a special vehicle-launcher power interface. Greater accuracy is ensured by the installation of a new computerized fire control system which includes a GPS (Global Positioning System) and a north-seeking gyro. A communications link and interface to the battalion command vehicle is provided. The truck can run at a maximum speed of 85 km/h with a maximum road range of 800 km.

A typical Type 90B battalion would consist of one battalion command vehicle based on a North-Benz 1929 (4 x 4) chassis, three reconnaissance vehicles based on a WM551A 6x6 wheeled armoured personnel carrier, one meteorological radar, one mechanical maintenance vehicle, one electronic maintenance vehicle and three batteries, each of which has one battery command vehicle, six rocket launchers and six rocket resupply vehicles.
 
The electric firing system fires the unguided rockets, either separately or in a salvo with 0.5 seconds between rounds. The system comprises an electrical ignition device, remote release device and ignition contact and cables. Triggering can be done either from the driver's cab or remotely outside the vehicle.
The fin stabilized rockets used are of the 122mm caliber extended range compound, they use solid propellant and full details thereof are given in a separate entry. These rockets can be launched by multiple 122mm rocket systems from other countries such as those made by countries like Egypt and Russia.  The automatic loading system consists of elevator, rack and feeder. The rocket loading can be done automatically, by button operation in the driver's cabin, or manually by external operations. The loading mechanism can be rotated 90 °. Automatic loading of the launcher takes less than 3 minutes. A rocket positioning system is monitored in the driver's cabin, the state of the weapons after loading or firing, after visualization of the firing camera.
 
Specifications

Max range       : 40Km
Rate of Fire     : Full salvo in 20S
CEP                 :?
In Service        : Unknown Numbers

Picture
Type-90B


PHL-11
 
PHL-11 is a wheeled multiple rocket launch system based on export-orientated SR-4. People's Liberation Army adopted SR-4 in 2011, the vehicle received designation PHL-11. It shares the same modular 122 mm rocket pod configuration on that of SR-4. In 2012 Thailand ordered 4 of these artillery rocket systems. These were delivered in 2013.
 
The main role of this artillery system is to engage area targets, such as concentration of troops and equipment, airfields, command posts, and other important targets.
Instead of a permanent package of guides, the design of the artillery unit includes replaceable transport and launching containers (TLC). Four rows of five tubular guides in each are configured as guides for each PIC. It fires 122 mm artillery rockets. These rockets were originally developed for the Soviet BM-21 Grad and are widely used around the world. Rockets with various warheads are available, including HE-FRAG, smoke, incendiary and illumination. Also there are cluster warheads with anti-tank or anti-personnel submunitions. Maximum range of fire with newly developed rockets is up to 50 km.
PHL-11 has a brief reaction and redeployment time. Similar artillery rocket systems are often used for shoot-and-scoot type attacks. Once all the rockets are launched the launcher vehicle leaves its firing position in order to avoid counter-battery fire.
The launcher is based on Shaanxi SX2190KA 6x6 heavy-duty military truck. This truck is in service with the Chinese army. Each launcher vehicle is escorted by associated reloading vehicle. It is based on Shaanxi 8x8 military truck and is fitted with a crane. It carries pods with reload rockets and reloads the launcher vehicles. It seems that in case of emergency the rocket pods can be reloaded manually by the crew. Reloading usually takes place remotely from firing position in order to avoid counter-battery fire.   Normally launcher vehicles operate in batteries, however each vehicle can also operate autonomously. Transport and charging machines are used to transport the transport and charging containers. The recharging time of the combat vehicle is about 10 minutes.
 
The combat vehicle's fire control system has been modernized. In particular, it is reported that it is possible to select the type of ammunition used by voice command. When firing, the side windows of the chassis cab can be covered with folding armor shields
Two versions of projectiles equipped with a gas-dynamic pulsed trajectory correction system unit are known. The version of the guided missile with aerodynamic rudders, presented at AirShow China 2014, is made according to the "duck" scheme.  To improve accuracy, the guided missile is supposedly equipped with a satellite navigation system.

Specifications
​

Max Range      : 50Km
Fire power       : Full Salvo in 20S
CEP                 : 30m?
In Service        : ~375


PHZ-11
 
PHZ-11 is a 122mm Multiple Launch Rocket System (MLRS) on tracked chassis. This is in service with the PLA, Western Theater Command. PHZ-11 shares the same modular 122 mm rocket pod configuration on PHL-11; however the support platform is based on the tracked chassis of PLZ-05 and PGZ-09.
 
The PHZ-11 could be operated by a crew of three including a driver, gunner, and commander, all of whom are seated in the fully enclosed cab at the front of the vehicle. This is protected against the firing of small arms and artillery shell fragments by aluminum armor. All the firing operations can be performed from inside of the crew cabin. The vehicle could be equipped with a land navigation system (LNS) and a computerized Fire-Control System (FCS), which allows for autonomous operation with target information being transmitted to the launcher from the battery command post.
The PHZ-11 is fitted with two pods of 20 launchers for 122mm rockets arranged in four rows of five tubes each mounted on a power operated turntable. After the rockets are fired, a dedicated reloading vehicle with a crane unloads the empty modules and places new ones directly on the mount. It can fire different types of unguided solid propellant 122 mm rockets including mine laying, fuel-air explosive, HE High Explosive, steel ball HE, and steel ball HE incendiary with a range from 15 km to 30 km.
The PHZ-11 needs only a few minutes to be ready to fire and carry out a fire mission and rapidly to come out of action. Once the 122 mm rockets have been fired the vehicle can rapidly move to another position to avoid counter-battery fire. The PZH-11 was developed based on a modular design offering the possibility to fire rockets of different calibers as the mounting points are common to rocket modules of different calibers including 220 mm and 300 mm.
​
Specifications
Max Range      : 30Km
Fire Power       : Full salvo in 20S?
CEP                 : 20-30m?
In Service        : ~100

Picture
PHZ-11

SY-300 – strategic MLRS

SY-300 is a development of WS-2/3, with SY standing for Shen Ying (meaning Divine Eagle), designed after the 4th Academy and the 9th Academy of China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation (CASC) were merged to form a new 4th Academy. It was first unveiled at the 2008 Zhuhai Airshow The SY-300 is described as a precision strike rocket system; canard guidance vanes can be seen near the nose of the rocket, and the missile is stated to have GPS/INS guidance
 
The main difference between the SY300 and its WS-2/3 predecessor is that for WS-2/3, the control section of the forward control surfaces and the warhead are integrated into a single unit, but they are separated in SY-300. This design difference enables the guidance system of SY300 to be rapidly changed in the field by soldiers, by simply replacing the guidance system with a dummy weight, when SY-300 needs to be used as an unguided rocket. Each vehicle can carry either six or twelve SY300 rockets.
These have a range of up to 130 km. The SY-300 rockets are accurate out to 200 meters using inertial guidance system, and out to 50 meters using inertial guidance system with Baidu satellite navigation system update. The rocket can carry High Explosive Fragmentation (HE-FRAG), cluster rockets with scatterable anti-tank or anti-personnel mines, and even chemical warheads.
SY-300 did not win the Chinese military's selection of a new generation of long-range rockets.

Picture
Picture


SY-400 – strategic MLRS

SY-400 is a further development of SY-300, that can carry either two short-range ballistic missiles BP-12A with range of 400 km or twelve 300 mm PHL-03 rockets. As a low cost alternative to more expensive ballistic missiles.
SY-400 first unveiled at the 2008 Zhuhai Airshow. The system is mainly intended for for export. Eight PHL-03 rockets are housed on a single launcher, four containers across and two deep or two ballistic missile on an 8 x 8 WS-2400 series. SY-400 Missiles are factory-fitted into these containers and can be stored for years and do not require additional maintenance. Missiles are launched vertically. The SY-400 can use different types of warheads such as HE, fragment, submunition and EMP payload. SY-400 TEL vehicle can switch between different caliber rockets, by carrying two 400km ranged BP-12A short ranged ballistic missiles, or 12 300mm PHL-03 heavy rockets.
The SY-400 is comparable to Russia’s Iskander-E SRBM. The Chinese People’s Liberation Army classifies the system as precision rocket artillery. SY-400 rocket uses mid body strakes, rear mounted fins and thrust vectoring to gain high maneuverability, just like a surface to air missile, to hit ground targets despite its high supersonic speed. The missile has a two way datalink between the missile and launch vehicle, and is guided by satellite and inertial navigation system. The missiles are fitted with GPS/INS guidance system. They are steered to the intended target in the initial flight phase by four control surfaces and stabilizing fins. Missile uses low lowering rate to extend the range. Multiple missiles can be aimed at different targets.
Each transport erector launch (TEL) vehicle can carry 8 SY-400 rockets, 10 TEL vehicles compose a battalion, along with fire control, scout and reloading vehicle. The multipurpose TELs can use the crane equipped reloading trucks to resupply quickly by winching in new rocket magazines.
 
Specifications
​

Max Range      : 400Km
CEP                 : 50M
Fire Power       : ?
In Service        : Unknown numbers 

Picture
Picture
Picture
Next part will cover Indian Artillery systems
0 Comments

India Vs China military Balance- Large Calibre artillery – Part-1 Chinese Howitzers

6/2/2021

0 Comments

 

Artillery generally refers to large-caliber weaponry that are operated by a crew, as opposed to small arms or weaponry carried and fired by individual troops. Such heavy artillery rocket systems are extremely effective against large area targets, such as concentration of troops or armored vehicles, artillery and air defense batteries, airfields, command posts, ammunition depots, support facilities and other important military targets.
Artillery types can be categorized in several ways, for example by type or size of weapon or ordnance, by role or by organizational arrangements.
Artillery is usually ranked as light, medium, or heavy. According to one classification Light refers to projectiles up to 105mm for close support of ground troops, medium at 106 – 155mm for bombardment, and heavy, with projectiles over 155mm for attacking rear installations.
 
Artillery is also classified according to the method of ground transportation, either towed or self-propelled. Towed artillery is mounted on carriages and is designed to be towed behind other vehicles. Self-propelled artillery is mounted on tracked vehicles, and can move between firing positions under its’ own power. Towed artillery is generally lighter than self-propelled, but obviously requires a separate vehicle to tow it. Self-propelled artillery can be quicker to reposition to a new firing position.
 
Types of artillery include
 
Guns:  Which fires at a high muzzle velocity through relatively long barrels and with a flat trajectory. Examples would be antiaircraft or antitank guns.
 
Mortars: Generally small tactical munitions fired from short tubes. Mortars are fired with a high trajectory and have a relatively short range.
 
Howitzers: Artillery weapons that have relatively short barrels, lower muzzle velocities, and more parabolic trajectories.
 
Multiple-launch rocket system:  capable of engaging surface targets by delivering primarily indirect fire, with a calibre of 75 millimetres and above.
​
In this article we are considering only Howitzers and Multiple Launch Rocket Systems.

Picture
PCL-09 during a live fire exercise in Tibet september-2018

Fundamentals of Artillery
 
There are some fundamental principles involved in operating artillery. The following are five basic requirements for achieving accurate artillery fire. The five basic requirements are:
 
Target Location and Size: Establishing the range from the artillery weapons to the target requires accurate and timely detection, identification, and location of ground targets. Determining the appropriate time and type of attack requires that the target size (radius or other dimensions), makeup (i.e., troops, vehicles, bunker, etc), and the direction and speed of movement be considered. 
 
Firing Unit Location: Accurate aiming to the target requires accurately knowing artillery firing unit locations. There are different ways to determine the firing unit location, such as Global Positioning System (GPS) or site surveys. In addition to determining an accurate location for the firing unit, each howitzer in the firing unit must also be precisely positioned to make sure each projectile goes exactly where it was intended. One term that is prevalent in almost all weapon firing discussions is a mill radian – usually referred to as a “mil.” A mil is a measure of angle. Using a circle of 360 degrees does not provide enough precision, therefore artillery computations assume a complete circle is broken into 6400 mils. Pointing a howitzer requires two angle commands (given in mils): azimuth (horizontal direction measured from north) and elevation (vertical angle measured from level). In a practical sense, one mil of elevation or azimuth works out to be a change of one meter at a range of 1000 meters.
 
Weapon and Ammunition Information: The actual performance of the weapon is measured by the weapon muzzle velocity (velocity with which the projectile leaves the muzzle of the tube) for a projectile-propellant combination. The firing battery can measure the achieved muzzle velocity of a weapon and correct it for nonstandard projectile weight and propellant temperature. A howitzer can fire different types of projectiles, depending upon the target, and each projectile can be fired with different propellant loads. The combinations can put different stresses on the artillery piece, which must be factored into the design, operation, and maintenance of the artillery system.
 
Meteorological Information: The effects of weather on the projectile in flight must be considered, and firing data must compensate for those effects. 
 
Computational Procedures: The computation of firing data must be accurate. Manual and automated techniques are designed to achieve accurate and timely delivery of fire.
 
If these five requirements are met, the firing battery will be able to deliver accurate and timely fires in support of the ground troops. If the five requirements for accurate predicted fire cannot be met, changes can be made to compensate for nonstandard conditions.
 
 
Chinese Artillery
 
China is a world leader in Artillery systems. Chinese artillery systems are world class and outperform all other systems in terms of range. China is one of the largest exporters of self-propelled artillery. We will give details about the Chinese artillery regiments and units near Indian border at the conclusion part. 


Chinese Howitzers
 
PL-54-1(Type 54-1) 
​

The NORINCO (China North Industries Corporation) 122 mm howitzer Type 54-1 is the Chinese version of the Russian 122 mm howitzer M1938 (M-30). It is virtually identical to the original apart from some small manufacturing expedients. its improved design Type 54-1  finalized in 1966. The 122 mm Type 54-1 howitzer is fitted with a Type 58 panoramic sight weighing 1.3 kg (with a magnification of ×3.7 and a 10° field of view) and a collimator sight Type 58 (with a 10° 40' field of view).
The Type 54-1 uses a variable nine-charge propellant system and can fire at least four types of projectile: HE, smoke, illuminating and incendiary. No details are available regarding the incendiary projectile and it is thought to be little used.
A leaflet shell containing 1.1 kg of leaflets is also used. A 122 mm cargo round with six layers of HEAT bomblets has been developed to the prototype stage. These HEAT bomblets are dispensed over the target area and are highly effective against the upper surfaces of tanks and other armoured vehicles, as well as soft skinned vehicles and troops in the open.
The upper part, mount and 122 mm weapon are also used in the NORINCO 122 mm Type 70 and Type 70-1 self-propelled artillery system that are based on a full-tracked chassis. These are only used by the People's Liberation Army (PLA). Production was completed many years ago and they were never exported.

Specifications
Max range       : 12Km
Rate of Fire     : 5-6 Rpm
In Service        : 700- PL-54-1 & 800-PL-54-D1 in reserve
​
Variants
PL-54-1 & PL-54-D1: improved variants of the PL-54.

Picture
M-30
Picture
PL-54

PL-66( Model 1955, D-20, Type-66)

The PL-66 is a 152 mm field howitzer. It is a license-produced version of the Soviet D-20 howitzer that was developed during the early 1950s. It is unknown if this howitzer is still in production. Though this artillery system is still widely used in China and was exported to some countries.
The PL-66 has 152 mm /L26 ordnance. This artillery system is capable of direct and indirect firing. It is compatible with all types of ammunition, developed for the Soviet D-20, including fragmentation, High-Explosive Fragmentation (HE-FRAG), High Explosive (HE), concrete-busting, and illumination rounds. China also developed a number of indigenous projectiles for this howitzer, including rocket-assisted projectiles. The Soviet D-20 was even capable of launching nuclear rounds, however it is unknown if China uses any. 
Maximum range of fire is 17.4 km with a standard HE-FRAG projectile and 22 km with indigenous rocket-assisted projectile. Range is further increased on the Type 66-1. The HE round penetrates 250 mm steel plate at a range of 3 km. The PL-66 is also capable of launching 152 mm laser-guided projectiles, based on Russian Krasnopol laser-guided projectile technology. China obtained this technology and production license from Russia in the late 1990s. This laser guided projectile has a range of 20-25 km and can engage armored targets, buildings, bunkers, field fortifications, warships, and other targets. These shells can track targets after they are fired, making them as accurate as missiles. Electromagnetic jamming shells and flare shells are also included in its arsenal. PL-66 can also fire artillery reconnaissance artillery which gives a unique advantage, which is much cheaper than drone, and it does not need to wait for the drone to reconnaissance. It can realize reconnaissance by relying on the artillery itself, so that it can preempt the enemy and quickly destroy the enemy position.
This artillery system is operated by a crew of 10 soldiers. In case of emergency it can be operated by a crew of 6, though with significantly reduced firing rate. Maximum rate of fire is 5-6 rounds per minute. It takes around 3 minutes to emplace this artillery piece from traveling order. It takes around 2-3 minutes to leave the firing position.
 
PL 66 has a two-cylinder recoil mechanism above the tube, and the gun tube is prominently stepped, with a semi-automatic, vertically-sliding, wedge breech block. The circular firing jack and caster wheels make it possible to rotate the whole gun swiftly through up to 360 degrees. It also has direct fire sights for both day and night and is capable of engaging armored targets with direct fire. The crew is protected by a steel shield. It can be towed by truck or tractor.
PLA has developed new tactics and equipment to let this old weapon shine even after 50 years of practical deployment. Fully manually operated, the 152 millimeter PL 66 howitzer is inexpensive compared to the modern Chinese 155 millimeter self-propelled howitzers, which has a similar caliber but is highly automated. PL-66 is fully manual; it is slower than the automatic ones, but it gives resistant to electromagnetic jamming. An advanced self-propelled howitzer often uses electronic systems to calculate trajectories, and the weapon cannot do much if these devices become jammed, the old howitzer's manual system is more reliable in these circumstances. The PLA plans to further revamp this old weaponry to make it more lethal in modern warfare.
The PL-66 was succeeded by a PLL-01 155 mm/L52 towed howitzer.
 
Specifications
Maximum rate of fire  : 5-6 rounds/Min
Maximum Range         : 17 – 25Km
In Service                    : ~ 500
 
Variants

Type 66:  Licensed version of the Soviet D-20
Type 66-1:  Improved version of the PL-66.
Type 83:  SPH with a modified ordnance of the PL-66 with an added semi-automatic loader and fume extractor. First introduced in the mid-1980s.
APU-66-152   :  Latest version of the PL-66, fitted with auxiliary power unit. This allows self-deploying over short distances. Also auxiliary power unit aids in emplacement and displacement. This artillery system was first publicly revealed in 2018.

A truck-mounted version of the PL-66. It uses the same light armored chassis with 6x6 configuration as the SH-2 and SH-5 artillery systems. This truck-mounted howitzer was first publicly revealed in 2018, alongside the APU-66-152.

Picture


PL-59 (Type-59)

The Type 59 is a Chinese copy of the Soviet M-46 130mm towed field gun with some minor modifications. The improved variant Type 59-I with a lighter combat weight has been in service with the PLA ground forces as a standard long-range indirect artillery weapon since 1970.
The gun received its design certificate in 1959 and was produced in limited numbers for the PLA in the 1960s. In 1970, the manufacturer introduced an improved variant known as Type 59-I. This version features a modified two-wheel carriage originally developed for the Type 60 122mm towed gun. The Type 59-I entered service with the PLA in the early 1970s.
A significant number of the Type 59-I is still in service with the PLA. The PLA is considering replacing the Type 59-I and a number of other artillery weapons (Type 60 122mm towed gun, Type 66 152mm towed gun-howitzer, and Type 83 152mm towed gun) with the more capable PLL01 155mm/45-calibre towed gun-howitzer to simplify the logistic supply.
A self-propelled version based on a full track chassis was developed but never entered batch production.
The Type 59 and Type 59-I fire high-explosive projectile capable of penetrating 250mm of armour set at 0 degree at a range of 1.5Km. The gun fires HE rounds at a rate of 7~8 rounds/min (8~10 rounds/min for Type 59-I), with a maximum range of 27km. The gun can also fire illuminating rounds with a maximum range of 25km.
NORINCO developed a range of new types of 130mm rounds for the Type 59-I in the 1980s/90s, including:
  • 30km-range Extended-Range HE
  • 37km-range Base Bleed HE
  • 37km-range Rocket Extended-Range HE
  • 32km-range Extended-Range Full-Bore HE (ERFB/HE)
  • 27.5km-range High-Explosive Incendiary
  • 25km-range blasting (with 10,000 steel balls and prefabricated fragments)
  • 25km-range antitank submunition (with 35 bullets)
  • 25km-range smoke round
 
Specifications
Range              : 25-37
Rate of fire      : 9 rounds/min
In Service        : ~234(PL-59-1)
 
Variants
 
PL-59-1: An improved version. Currently these systems are replacing with PCL-181

Picture
PL-59-1


PLZ-83 (Type 83)

The Type 83 self-propelled gun-howitzer was developed by NORINCO. The Type 83 is a modified copy of the Soviet 2S3 Akatsiya SPH. The first prototype was completed in 1980. Production of the Type 83 began in 1983 and ceased in 1990.The Type 83 is armed with a modified PL-66 152 mm towed gun-howitzer. The Type 83 was additionally fitted with a semi-automatic loader and fume extractor. This artillery system fires all types of ammunition developed for the PL-66 gun-howitzer, however it usually carries only HE-FRAG and smoke rounds. Maximum range of fire is 17.2 km with a standard HE-FRAG projectile and 22 km with indigenous rocket-assisted projectile. A total of 30 rounds are carried. Maximum rate of fire is 4 rounds per minute. Ammunition is loaded through rear or side hatches.
 
The Type 83 is assumed to be capable of firing 152 mm laser-guided projectiles. China obtained this technology and production license from Russia in the late 1990s. This laser-guided projectile has a range of up to 20 km. Eventually China developed its own laser-guided projectiles.
 
PLZ-83 replaced in service the ageing Type 70 130 mm artillery rocket systems. Type 83 replaced with more capable PLZ-05. PLZ-83 decommissioned and few units are in reserve.
 
Specifications
Range              : 16Km
Rate of Fire     : 8Rpm
In Service        : Decommissioned, PLZ-83A-200
 
Variants
Type-89: it is a multiple launch rocket system. It is based on the same tracked armored chassis. This artillery rocket system was revealed in 1999. It is speculated that this system entered service in the late 1990s and was not offered for export.  
PLZ-83A: an upgraded version with improved communications system and updated fire control system.
​
Armored engineering vehicle & Armored earthmover.

Picture
Type-83 firing


PLZ-89(Type-89, 2S1)

The Type 89 / PLZ-89 is a 122 mm self-propelled howitzer. PLZ-89 was first presented to the public during the 1999 statehood military parade. Type 89 self-propelled howitzers, was developed in the late 1980s. It was a Chinese attempt to develop an autochthonous SPH with similar capabilities as the Soviet 2S1 Gvosdika to replace the Type 85 and Type 70 122 mm SPH . Type 89 is currently in use by the Chinese Army and Marines .
Type 89 SPH is armed with a 122 mm / L32 howitzer. It is a variant of the towed type 86 (W-86), which in turn is a copy of the Soviet towed howitzer D-30. The pistol for PLZ-89 is mounted on a crawler chassis developed from a Type 77 amphibious armored personnel carrier. The PLZ-89 carries 40 bullets inside the turret and can fire on all types of 122 mm Chinese and Russian bullets. The pistol is equipped with a semi-automatic cartridge with a maximum firing rate of 6 ~ 8 rounds / min, and the precision of the fire is achieved by a digital fire control system and a roof electro-optical sight for day and night operations. PLZ-89 combat weight is 20 tons, crew of 5 people. Crew members are protected by collective anti-NBC systems and automatic fire extinguishing . The howitzer can swim with the help of certain floating devices. Its water propulsion speed of 6 km/h. The vehicle is powered by a 12V150L12 diesel engine, which develops 450 hp. 
​
In terms of handling, PLZ-89 equipped with a new hydraulic control unit, making driving more convenient, energy, steering machine can be freely shifted; hydraulic shift mechanism and synchronization allows shifting light and easy; pneumatic suspension makes driving more artillery smooth, track adjuster for quick and easy adjustment of shoe elastic.
​
Specifications

Max Range      : 21Km
Rate of Fire     : 6-8 Rpm
In Service        : ~500

Variants
 
SH-3: is an improved version of the Type 89, developed for export. It offers greater mobility, improved fire control system and delivers greater firepower than the Type 89.
PLZ-07: is a successor of the Type 89. It utilizes a similar 122 mm howitzer, but has a new tracked chassis. It has greater mobility, improved fire control system and delivers greater firepower than its predecessor.
PLZ-07B: Amphibious version of PLZ-07

Picture
Picture

PLL-01(W88, W890, Type-89, WA-021, WAC-21)
 
The PLL01 is a heavy gun-howitzer introduced in 1987. It was the first PLA artillery system to have adopted the Western-standard 155mm calibre instead of the Soviet/Russian standard 152mm calibre. The weapon was briefly displayed to the public during the 1999 military parade.
China obtained the Austrian 155 mm howitzer technology, alongside with technology of long-range ammunition. The PLL01 was based on the Austrian GHN-45, which itself was derived from the Canadian GC-45 howitzer designed by Dr Gerald Bull’s Space Research Corporation in the 1970s. The GC-45 combines a number of features to produce what is generally considered the best field artillery in the world. Its unique 155mm/45-calibre gun design has been adopted by a number of artillery systems around the world, including the famous South African G5 howitzer.
The PRC obtained the Austrian GHN-45 howitzer technology in the 1980s when it formed a temporary coalition with Western countries against the Soviet Union. The technology was used to develop the PRC’s own version of the 155 mm/45-calibre howitzers known as W88. The howitzer was promoted to the export market under the designation WA021/WAC-21, and later adopted by the PLA under the designation PLL01. The weapon was also sometimes referred to as the W89 or Type 89. The PLL01 design was also used on the PLZ45 self-propelled gun-howitzer system.
Only around 50-150 of these artillery systems were made. Eventually this howitzer evolved into a whole series of Chinese artillery systems.
PLL-01 uses Extended Range, Full Bore (EFRB) ammunition, which has a much longer range than typical howitzer ammunition, thanks to improved aerodynamics. The PLL-01 can also fire all standard NATO 155 mm ammunition. Though the maximum range with a standard M107 HE round is 24 km. Maximum range of fire with long-range ammunition is much greater. The EFRB ammunition has a range of 30 km. It is the same as rocket-assisted ammunition fired from a 155 mm/L39 weapon, except that the ERFB has no rocket booster. The EFRB-BB ammunition has a range of 39 km and again, this is not a rocket-assisted projectile. In 2004 NORINCO announced that it developed a 155 mm extended-range projectile with a maximum range of 50 km. This howitzer fires HE, HE-FRAG, illumination, smoke, white phosphorus, and cargo rounds. This artillery system is also capable of firing precision guided munitions. In the late 1990s China obtained a Russian Krasnopol laser-guided projectile technology and production license. Eventually China successfully developed its own laser-guided projectiles. These projectiles have a maximum range of 20-25 km.
 
The gun-howitzer is constructed using alloy steel. The muzzle velocity (using ERFB-BB projectile) is 903m/s. The PLL01 is able to deliver up to 4 rounds per minute under intense firing conditions and is able to provide a sustained rate of fire of 2 rounds per minute. The howitzer is capable of both direct (line of sight) and indirect (out of the line of sight) firing.
The PLL01 is fitted with a hydraulic power pack for operation of the load assist systems, for aiming and for opening/closing the carriage. When in travelling mode, the howitzer barrel is folded back 180 degree to reduce the total length of the howitzer.

Specifications
Max Range      : 50Km
Rate of Fire     : 2-4 Rpm
In Service        : ~36
 
Variants
 
AH-1: an improved version of the PLL-01. It has a more powerful auxiliary power unit, consisting of an air-cooled diesel engine, developing 110 hp. This howitzer has a maximum auto-propulsion speed of 20 km/h. reportedly; the AH-1 is in service with Ethiopia.
PLZ-45
AH-2:  52-caliber version of the AH-1. It has a longer range of fire.
SH-1: Chinese truck-mounted howitzer consisting 6x6 truck with an armored cab, carrying the ordnance of the AH-2 howitzer. It is modeled after a French CAESAR. This artillery system was developed for export. The SH-1 is operated by Myanmar, Pakistan.
PLZ-05: a self-propelled howitzer, which utilized a modified version of the AH-2 towed howitzer, based on a traced armored chassis. It mounts a 155 mm/L52 howitzer and has an automatic ammunition loading system.
FGT-203: A 203 mm towed howitzer. It uses the same carriage as the PLL-01. This artillery system was developed in cooperation with Space Research International of Belgium and was a Chinese version of the FGH-203. Prototypes were completed in 1994. This artillery system had a range of up to 50 km. However this 203 mm howitzer never reached mass production.
 
In 2001, a truck-mounted variant of the 155mm gun-howitzer system was introduced. The design did not enter production; with only a technical demonstrate sample produced.

Picture

PLZ-45(Type-88)
​

The PLZ-45 is a 155 mm self-propelled howitzer for the export market. It is based on Norinco's Type 89 (PLL-01) 155mm/45-calibre towed gun-howitzer.  The PLZ45 was developed as a replacement for the aging Type 83 howitzer. Eventually the Chinese armed forces settled on the PLZ-05, which is a further development of the PLZ-45.
The PLZ-45 did not enter service with the PLA primarily because their existing artillery was all based on Soviet-standard 152 mm ammunition. However, two major batches of PLZ-45s were sold to the Kuwaiti and to Saudi Arabia.
China may have around 10 PLZ-45 in its inventory
 
Variant
 
PLZ-52: Fitted with 152 mm caliber barrel

Picture

PLL-05 (Type 05)

The PLL-05 120mm self-propelled mortar-howitzer system is one of the wheeled APC-mounted light artillery systems fielded by the PLA. The artillery system was initially introduced in mid-2001 for the export market, but failed to attract any buyer. A modified variant was later adopted by the PLA under the designation PLL-05, and entered service with the 127th Light Mechanized Infantry Division of the 54th Group Army in the Jinan Military Region in early 2008.
The artillery system features a 120mm gun, which combines the features of the mortar and the howitzer. The artillery fires projectiles at both short-range, high-arcing ballistic trajectories (maximum 80°) and longer-range, less steep ballistic trajectories for indirect fire.
The PLL05’s main armament is a 120mm gun,, which has an elevation range of -4°~+80°, and an azimuth range of 360° (in contrast to the +/-35° of the 2S23). The artillery system has a maximum range of 8.8km when firing the howitzer projectile, and 7.1km when firing the mortar projectile. The artillery could also fire the rocket-assisted mortar projectile, which has a maximum range of 12.8km. PLL05 is equipped with a semi-automatic loader, which gives a rate of fire of 6~8 rounds/minute (howitzer projectile), 10 rounds/minute (mortar projectile), and 4~6 rounds/minute (HE-AT projectile). The turret is fitted with a cylinder-shape electro-optical device, which may allow the use of smart ammunitions like the Russian KBP Gran laser-guided mortar round. The vehicle carries 36 rounds inside the turret and hull.
Fire accuracy is attained by a fire-control system, which allows three aiming methods: automatic, semi-automatic, and manual. Secondary weapon includes a Type 85 12.7mm anti-aircraft machine gun mounted on the commander copula. There are two sets of smoke grenade launchers in group of three, with one fitted on each side of the turret. A crew of four (commander, driver, gunner, and loader) are protected inside the hull with collective NBC protection system.
The PLL05 uses a 6X6 wheeled chassis derived from the ZSL92/WZ551 armoured personnel carrier (APC). The combat weight is 16.5 tonnes, enabling the vehicle to be airlifted by a Y-8-sized transport aircraft. The vehicle is powered by a BF8L413F 4-stroke, 8-cylinder, turbo-charged, air-cooled diesel engine, which produces a standard power of 235kW (320hp) at 2,500rpm. The vehicle is capable of a maximum speed of 85km/h on paved road and 8km/h when afloat. Two propellers are fitted at the rear of the vehicle for swimming.

Specifications
Max range       : 13Km
Rate of Fire     : 6-8 Rpm
In Service        : ~450

Picture

PLZ-05 (Type 05)
 
China PLZ-05 self-propelled howitzer is a long-tube tracked self-propelled gun with a diameter of 155mm. It is one of the main artillery equipment developed by China. Two versions of the same 155 mm howitzer were initially developed, the PLZ-05 with a 54 caliber and the PLZ04 with a more standard 52 caliber. PLZ 04, has a slightly (4 percent) longer barrel than the PLZ 05.
The PLZ-05 was adopted by Chinese army in 2008 to replace the older Type 83 152 mm self-propelled howitzer. The gun was developed in the 1990s and developed from the PLZ-45 self-propelled howitzer. PLZ-05 is a modern artillery system with which China has reached the world's advanced level.
The PLZ-05 carries 30 rounds of 155mm ammo, with 24 ready to be used by the autoloader. Max rate of fire (for a few minutes) is ten rounds a minute. Max range of the howitzer is 50 kilometers (with rocket assisted shells). Normal shells are got about 39 kilometers and laser guided shells for 20 kilometers. All three of these systems use a lot of technology from the Russians. The maximum range was 53 km. Recently PLZ-05 is upgraded to fire guided rounds to a maximum range of 100KM
PLZ-05 self-propelled howitzer weighs 35 tons, from 5 person operation; the turret houses a fully automated loading system which is derived from the Russian 2S19 Msta. The crew of five consists of a commander, driver, gunner and two loaders.  The 155mm barrel is good for about 2,500 rounds.
PLZ-05 howitzer has some armor protection. The advanced crawler chassis can be used without preparation directly into the battle, and after the completion of the shooting, quickly evacuate the launch position to avoid the enemy's anti-artillery counter-battery fire.
PLZ-05 has a high fire response speed and advanced fire control command and operation automation level. It is the new type of informationized artillery with the largest caliber and the longest range in China. It has advanced fire control system, and is equipped with first-speed radar and a satellite positioning system, which can achieve single-shot operations and multiple shots at the same time. The performance indices of the PLZ05 155mm self-propelled howitzer have reached the international first-class level.
The type of artillery chassis used in Type 05 has been comprehensively improved. PLZ-05 adopts the advanced 540KW class ZZ8V-150HB series water-cooled diesel engine and CH700 series crawler-type integrated transmission. There are four smoke bomb launchers on each side of the front of the turret, and a direct sight of the gunner is mounted on the left side of the turret. In an emergency, the gun can be operated for direct aiming. The top of the turret is equipped with a digital artillery perimeter sight and a long-sighted night vision mirror. The addition of the captain's mirror is also a highlight of the 05-type artillery, effectively improving the command and observation ability of the artillery captain and the control of the battlefield environment.
Each of PLZ-05 howitzer battalion consists of three batteries; each battery is equipped with six howitzers each. In addition, each unit also has a maintenance and equipment - technical support company, and to improve the accuracy of conventional munitions for shooting fire control radar system.
PLZ-05 is compatible with all standard 155 mm rounds, including: ERFB/HE, ERFB-BB/HE, ERFB-BB/Cargo, ERFB/Smoke, ERFB/ILL, and ERFB/WP.

Specifications
Max Range: 100Km with (WS-35 Rocket)
Max Rate of fire:  10 Rpm
In service:  ~320

Variants

PLZ-05

PLZ-05A (PLZ-52): An export variant similar in appearance to the PLZ-45, but based on a slightly different hull. Having a gross vehicle weight of 43 tonnes, the PLZ-52 features a new power pack, which consists of a diesel engine developing 1,000 hp at 2,300 rpm coupled to a fully automatic transmission.

PLZ-04: Self-propelled howitzer with a 54 caliber barrel and apparently offered for export.


Picture
Picture

PLZ-52(PLZ-05A)
 
PLZ-52 is a new Chinese self-propelled howitzer. It is similar in appearance to the PLZ-45, however it packs a heavier punch. It was first unveiled in 2014. Currently it is among the most capable artillery systems in the world. However the PLZ-52 is aimed mainly at export customers, rather than Chinese army. The new PLZ-52 has a modified hull and turret. This artillery system is fitted with a 155 mm/L52 howitzer and uses a modular charge system. This howitzer is capable of firing a full range of Chinese 155 mm munitions. Range of a standard High-Explosive Fragmentation (HE-FRAG) projectile is around 30 km and around 40 km of extended-range projectile. Maximum range of fire is 53 km with rocket-assisted projectile. It has been reported that China developed a GPS-guided 155 mm projectile. It was claimed that this projectile has a whooping maximum range of 100 km and accuracy of 40 m.
 
The projectiles include killing explosives, flares, smoke bombs, submunitions, yellow phosphorus bombs, GS-1 end-sensitive bombs, GP-1, GP-6 laser-guided bombs. Among them, the GS-1 terminal sensitive bomb is equipped with 2-3 end-sensitive bombs, and the terminal-sensitive bomb is equipped with a search sensor, which can automatically search for attacking armor targets, and is a weapon for long-distance anti-armor. The GP-6 Laser Terminal Guided Projectile is the newest laser semi-active terminal guided projectile in China. It can attack fixed targets and moving targets with a speed of no more than 36 km/h, with a first hit probability of 90%.
This artillery system has an automatic ammunition and charge loading system. Maximum rate of fire is around 8 to 10 rounds per minute. The PLZ-52 is capable of Multiple Round Simultaneous Impact (MRSI) firing. It can launch up to 4 rounds that would hit the same target simultaneously. Secondary armament consists of a 12.7 mm machine gun, mounted on top of the roof. The PLZ-52 is operated by a crew of around 4 to 5 soldiers. Armor of the PLZ-52 protects the crew against small arms fire and artillery shell splinters. NBC protection and automatic fire suppression systems are fitted as standard.
This artillery system uses an armored tracked chassis, which is very similar to that of the PLZ-05. It is powered by a new diesel engine, developing 1 000 hp. Engine is located at the front of the hull. Vehicle is fitted with an automatic transmission system.
This self-propelled howitzer is supported by an associated ammunition resupply vehicle, which carries ammunition under armor on the battlefield. The resupply vehicle is based on the same tracked armored chassis and carries around 90 rounds of ammunition with associated charges though it has a slightly different design and ammunition delivery method, than resupply vehicles of PLZ-05 and PLZ-45 self-propelled howitzers. It resembles a South Korean K10 resupply vehicle of the K9 self-propelled howitzer. Automated ammunition delivery is around 8 rounds per minute.
A battery of PLZ-52 howitzers includes command post vehicle, forward observation vehicle, ammunition resupply vehicles, and maintenance vehicles. Also there are proposed some optional battery support vehicles, such as artillery locating and fire correction radar, meteorological radar and armored recovery vehicle.
 
Specifications
Max Range     : 53Km
Rate of Fire     : 8-10Rpm
In Service        : < 250

Picture
Picture

PL-96 (Type-96, D-30 / 2A18, Model 1963)


The PL-96 is a Chinese copy of the Soviet D-30 howitzer. It is also referred as the Type 96. It is a slightly improved version of the Type 86 howitzer.
This howitzer uses separate-loaded ammunition with projectiles and their charges. This howitzer fires High Explosive (HE), High Explosive Fragmentation (HE-FRAG), cargo, incendiary, smoke, illumination, and possibly other types of shells. The PCL-09 is compatible with all standard 122 mm ammunition of Russian D-30 howitzer. Maximum range of fire is 18 km using standard High Explosive (HE-FRAG) projectile, 21 km with extended-range projectile and 27 km with rocket assisted projectile. The PL-96 is also capable of firing 122 mm laser-guided projectiles. These are based on Russian Kitolov projectile technology.
 
This artillery system has a 3-leg mounting and is capable of 360° traverse. It is also capable of direct firing. It’s HE projectile penetrates up to 180 mm of steel armor. Also there are dedicated HEAT rounds that penetrate around 450-500 mm of steel armor. So this artillery system can defend against various approaching lightly armored vehicles.
The PL-96 is operated by a crew of 5. Maximum rate of fire is 6-8 rounds per minute.  This field howitzer is towed by a 6x6 truck. It is typically seen towed by Dongfeng EQ2102 or Shaanxi SX2150 trucks that also carry crew and ammunition. In travelling order this howitzer is towed by its muzzle. This howitzer can be rapidly emplaced or displaced. It takes only 1.5-2.5 minutes to prepare this artillery piece for firing from travelling order. Also it takes the same amount of time to leave the firing position.
  
Specifications
Max range       : 27Km
Rate of Fire     : 6-8rpm
In Service        : ~500

Variants
​

Type-89: A tracked 122 mm artillery system with the 122 mm ordnance. Type 89, also known as the PLZ89, was developed in late 1980s. Currently these are being replaced by the PLZ-07 and PLZ-07B self-propelled howitzers.
SH-2:  is another truck-mounted howitzer. It is based on a 6x6 light utility truck chassis and uses ordnance of the PL-96. This artillery system was first publicly revealed in 2007. It was aimed mainly at export customers. However it received no production orders.
PCL-09: is a truck-mounted howitzer. It is based on a Shaanxi 6x6 military truck and uses ordnance of the PL-96. This artillery system was adopted in around 2009 and is widely used by Chinese army.
PLL-09: is a self-propelled artillery system, which is based on a ZBL-09 Snow Leopard armored personnel carrier chassis with 8x8 configurations. This self-propelled howitzer is widely used by the China's army. A number of these systems are used by China's marines. It provides indirect fire support for rapid deployment brigades. The PLL-09 has good cross-country mobility and is capable of keeping pace with main battle tanks.
SH-4: is a recent truck-mounted artillery system, which utilizes modified ordnance of the PL-96 122 mm howitzer, based on a 4x4 military truck chassis with an armored cab.
 

Picture

PCL 09(CS/SH-1) 
​

The PCL-09 or CS/SH1 (Chinese export name) is a 122mm wheeled self-propelled howitzer designed and manufactured by Norinco. The PCL-09 is similar to the French Caesar 155 wheeled howitzer, and uses a wheeled 6×6 truck chassis with a Chinese-made 122mm howitzer PL-96 mounted at the rear part. It was developed in the 2000's as a cost-effective design to increase the mobility of existing units using the 122mm PL-96 towed howitzer. As such it replaces towed howitzers in use with infantry formations.  This vehicle is already in service with the Chinese armed forces.
The PCL-09 can fire at a maximum range of 22 km with a rate of fire of 8 rds/min and 27 km with rocket assisted projectile. The 122mm howitzer of the CS/SH1 can fire High Explosive Fragmentation (HE-FRAG), cargo, incendiary, smoke, illumination, and all standard 122 mm ammunition used by the Russian D-30 howitzer. It can be ready to fire in less than 90 seconds from traveling mode. PCL-09 has combat weight of less than 11.5 tons and can carry 24 rounds of ammunition, crew of 4 to 5 people, can achieve zero angles shooting, all guns height 2.95 m.
The PCL-09 is based on 6×6 Shaanxi truck chassis. A fully enclosed cab is mounted at the front of the vehicle and has individual seats for the crew of five. There are two doors on each side of the crew cabin and one hatch is available at the top right side. The PCL-09 uses a 6×6 chassis with one axle at the front and two axles at the rear. The vehicle can run at a maximum road speed of 85 km/h with a maximum cruising range of 600 km. The truck is equipped with a central tire inflation system to provide control over the air pressure in each tire as a way to improve performance on different terrain conditions.
A typical battery of PCL-09 consists of one 6 self-propelled howitzers and a battery command post. This artillery system comes with a semi-automatic loading system, which simplifies loading of the howitzer. There are ammunition boxes for projectiles and their charges.
The PCL-09 can launch its first round in less than one minute. A typical shoot-and-scoot mission of stopping, firing six rounds and transforming back to traveling mode can be completed within 3 minutes. Such result is a huge improvement over PL96 towed howitzers that are widely used by the China's army. Brief redeployment time allows avoiding counter-battery fire.
 
Specifications
Max Range      : 27Km
Rate of Fire     : 6-8 Rpm
In Service        : >350

Variants
CS/SH1: Export version of PCL-09.
 
PLL-09: A self-propelled howitzer based on ZBL-09 8x8 armored personnel carrier chassis. It was adopted alongside the PCL-09. The PLL-09 is more mobile due to its chassis. It is capable of keeping pace with main battle tanks. Also this artillery system is fully amphibious and can ford water obstacles afloat.

Picture

PLL-09/Type-09

PLL-09 is a 122 mm self-propelled howitzer which is in service with the Chinese Army. A version of this artillery system is also used by China's marines. The vehicle is based on a ZBL-09 8x8 armored personnel carrier chassis. It is armed with a version of the 122 mm PL96, or Type 96 howitzer. The PLL-09 is fitted with a semi-automatic loader. It has a maximum firing range of 18 km with standard HE-FRAG projectiles and 27 km with extended-range projectiles. The PLL-09 is also capable of firing 122 mm laser-guided projectiles. The PLL-09 provides indirect fire support for rapid deployment brigades. These Chinese brigades are similar in concept to the US Stryker brigades
PLL-09 SPH has good cross-country mobility and is capable of keeping pace with main battle tanks.PLL-09 artillery systems replaced the older PLZ-89. PLL-09 is fitted with a semi-automatic loader. The PLL-09 is fitted with computerized fire control system with digital ballistic computer. It is most likely to use digital battlefield management system. The PLL-09 SPH is powered by a Deutz BF6M1015C turbocharged diesel engine, developing 440 hp. It is a German engine, produced in China under license. Engine is located at the front. Vehicle is fitted with a tyre pressure regulation system for improved mobility over difficult terrain. This self-propelled howitzer is fully amphibious. On water it is propelled by two water jets.
 
Specifications
Max Range      : 27 km
Rate of Fire     : 6 Rpm
In Service        : ~ 350

Picture

PLZ-07(Type-07)

The PLZ-07 is 122 mm self-propelled artillery. It evolved from the SH3 that was aimed mainly at export customers. The PLZ-07 self-propelled howitzer was first unveiled to the public during the military parade celebrating 60th anniversary of the PLA on 1 October 2009. The PLZ-07 was developed to replace the older Type 89, Type 85 and Type 70/70-1 122 mm self-propelled artillery systems.
PLZ-07 self-propelled artillery chassis is developed from ZBD-04 infantry fighting vehicles. PLZ-07 is armed with a variant of the PL-96 122 mm/L32 howitzer that is of similar design as the Russian D-30 and a 12.7 mm machine gun as a secondary armament. The PLZ-07 is powered by 600 hp diesel engine.PLZ-07 has greater mobility, improved fire control system and delivers greater firepower than its predecessors. PLZ-07 is fitted with a semi-automatic loader. This artillery system is compatible with standard Chinese and Russian 122 mm ammunition. PLZ-07A artillery system is not amphibious; however it seems that it may be fitted with floatation kit in order to ford inland rivers and lakes
The gun has a maximum range of 18 km with normal ammunition, 22 km with base bleed and 27 km with rocket assisted rounds. Armor of the PLZ-07 provides protection against small arms fire and artillery shell splinters. NBC protection and automatic suppression systems are fitted as standard. This artillery system is operated by a crew of 5.
The PLZ-07 122 mm tracked self-propelled gun mounts a 122 mm gun armed turret on the PLZ-45 hull. The vehicle weighs 22.5 tons fully loaded and carries 40 rounds of ammunition. It is 6.66 m long, 3.28 m wide and 2.5 m high to the turret roof. It carries a crew of five and its 440 kW diesel engine gives it a top road speed of 65 km/h and a maximum road range of 500 km.
 
Specifications
Max firing Range        : 18-27 Km
Rate of Fire                 : 6-8 rpm
In Service                    : PLZ-07A~150, PLZ-07B~300
Variants
PLZ-07/PLZ-07A: Land based variant.
PLZ-07B: Amphibious variant with unique dedicated-designed amphibious chassis. China's Marine Corps using PLZ-07B artillery system has a boat-like hull for improved floatation and is fitted with a trim vane. Though it uses the same turret as the PLZ-07. On water this artillery system is propelled by two water jets. The PLZ-07B can be launched at sea from amphibious assault ships and swim over short distances to shore.
SH3 : SH3is a forerunner of the PLZ-07. It is a similar 122 mm self-propelled howitzer, which was developed mainly for export. It emerged as PLZ-07. 

Picture
Picture

PCL-161

The PCL-161 is a truck-mounted 122 mm self-propelled howitzer.  PCL-161 was first unveiled while doing exercises in Tibet Autonomous Region in October 2020.It is speculated to be a successor of the 122 mm truck mounted howitzer PCL-09. PCL-09 features various improvements over the PCL-09, including better firing accuracy, the ability to fire directly in the forward direction of the vehicle. PCL-161 122mm truck gun is the latest equipment of the mountain infantry brigade.
 
The howitzer has a range of 22 km with conventional ammunition and 30 km with rocket-assisted projectiles. Supposedly, it has ammo commonality with the Russian D-30 howitzers.
The PCL-161 features a semi-automatic loading system where the operator places the shell on the loading arm and the loading arm loads the round into the breech. Its fire control system featuring automatic calculation and gun-laying via the vehicle-mounted fire control computer.
 
The design of the truck is based on the CTM-133 military truck. During combat, two front vertical stabilizers are extended, as well as two rear stabilizers that dig into the ground in order to reduce recoil. Mobility of the new generation 4X4 military wheeled high-mobility off-road truck chassis is also significantly better than the previous PCL-09.
 
Specifications
Rate of Fire     : 8 rounds/minute
Max Range      : 22- 30Km
In Service        : Numbers unknown 

Picture
Picture

PCL-171 (CS-SH4)​
​
PCL-171 is a 122mm wheeled self-propelled howitzer. The basic layout of the PCL-171 truck gun is similar to that of the PCL-161. PCL-171 may still use the body of the Type-96 122mm howitzer. PCL-171 was commissioned with the troops in the second half of 2020.
PCL-171 has a semi-automatic loader assembly, which can greatly increase the rate of fire. It may be similar to the PCL-161. It is estimated that the PCL-171 is also equipped with an advanced fire control system, the Beidou satellite navigation and positioning system and the positioning and orientation system of the elevation measurement function, and the information equipment is connected to the fire control system. It can be provided by the information combat platform of the entire battlefield information network. As long as the soldier enters the attack coordinates, the artillery can automatically calculate the firing elements. The pitch and direction motors on the gun mount can calculate the electrical signals generated and transmitted by the terminal with the help of the attitude sensor. The downward-driven artillery can quickly complete the adjustment of the angle of fire and the direction of fire. After the gun enters the firing position, the assisting hoe and hydraulic jack touch the ground to firmly fix the gun. The gun mount and pitching machine are controlled by hydraulic systems. The ammunition loading is also semi-automatically loaded by a robotic arm, 122 mm
PCL-171 self-propelled howitzer, using "Warrior 3rd generation" CSK181 6×6 light armored vehicle as the chassis, "Dongfeng Cummins" ISDe 300 inline 6-cylinder water-cooled turbocharged diesel engine with a maximum output of 300 horsepower, with powerful high-mobility off-road capabilities With a maximum road speed of 120 km/h and a maximum endurance of 700 km, it is also one of the most advanced light armored vehicles in the world.
PCL-171 gun is designed to be very compact, with barrel, gun mount, hoe... etc. After the large part is folded, the volume of the whole cannon is small, and the small body is more conducive to concealment in a small space and better road passing performance. It can drive at high speed on the lowest grade earth and stone roads at high altitudes. The howitzer has a maximum firing range of 18- 22 km with conventional ammunition and up to 27 - 40 km with extended range ammunition. . There are 2 rows of 6 ammunition on the right side. The frame and 2 rows of 7 rounds can carry 28 rounds of 122mm rounds, a total of 6 × 28 = 168 rounds of rounds for a company of 6 cannons, enough for a large-scale continuous firepower support.
The PCL171 gun weighs less than 5 tons. Chinese medium transport aircraft can carry 4 vehicles. Two aircraft can transport one artillery company to a distance of 1,000 kilometers. The transport 20 strategic transport aircraft has a load weight of 60 tons, and one vehicle can be transported in one sortie. , And it is the light weight of the artillery that greatly improves the mobility of the troops.
 
Each combat unit consists of 6 PCL-171 guns, command vehicles, reconnaissance vehicles, ammunition supply vehicles and other equipment. Some of the other vehicles are based on Dongfeng Mengshi CTL181A 4×4 armoured vehicles, of at least two variants. The command vehicle has mounted communications equipment. The reconnaissance vehicle is configured with counter-battery radar, fitted with a radar antenna and an opto-electronic sight mounted on top of a folding and elevating mast.
 
Specifications
Max Range      : 40Km
Rate of fire      : unknown
In Service        :  ~100?
 


Picture
Picture

PCL-181(SH-15)
 
The PCL-181 is a truck-mounted 155 mm self-propelled howitzer . It was developed as more mobile replacement of older towed artillery pieces. The PCL-181 currently delivered to the PLA Army artillery troops will be mainly used to replace the active PL-66 152-mm towed gun-howitzers and a small part of the remaining Type 59-1 130-mm towed cannons. PCL-181 is based on an older SH-1.
 
The PCL-181 is equipped with the world-leading automatic fire control system (AFCS). Following the input of the target azimuth data, the vehicle-mounted fire control computer can automatically settle the shooting elements and automatically adjust the azimuth and height of the artillery
 
The PCL-181 has a full combat weight of 25 tons, only about half compared with the PLZ-05. In addition, with a smaller overall size, the PCL-181 has no worries about "overrun"(the overall height exceeds 3.6 meters or overall width exceeds the train cabin) when transported by rail, and can get through almost all railway sections to reach a freight station nearest to the destination.
Besides, the PCL-181 weighs only 25 tons, which is just within the cargo capacity of China's Y-9 tactical transport aircraft. Each Y-9 tactical transport aircraft can carry one PCL-181, and as long as there are a sufficient number of transport aircraft groups, the rapid deployment of the organically assigned artillery troops as a whole within nearly a thousand kilometers can be realized. This will undoubtedly greatly improve the rapid reaction capability of the PLA Army.

The PCL-181 vehicle-mounted howitzer is equipped with the military high-mobility truck chassis (Shaanxi 6x6 truck chassis), which make it good at long-distance mobility on road. It was reported that the service members of an Army brigade under the Eastern Theater Command just drove the PCL-181 to their camp after unloading at the freight station.
 
The 155mm howitzer is mounted the rear. In the firing position two large hydraulic jacks are lowered. Shells and charges are stored on the sides of the truck. A semi-automatic loading mechanism feeds the shell into the breech. The PCL181 has a 155mm 52-caliber howitzer that fires a Chinese range of NATO standard shells. The semi-automatic loader allows for a rate of fire of 4 to 6 rpm. The howitzer has a maximum firing range of 40 km with conventional ammunition and up to 72 km with extended range ammunition and can carry 27 rounds of ammunition. The armored cab protects against small arms fire and shell splinters. Three crew members load the howitzer in the open while the driver and commander remain in the cab
The export model is known as SH-15.  In 2019 Pakistan ordered 236 of these artillery systems
​
Specifications
Max Range      : 72Km
Rate of Fire     : 4-6 Rpm
In Service        : ~100?

Picture
Picture
Picture

AH4
 
AH4 is a 155 mm/39 caliber Lightweight Gun-howitzer developed by NORINCO. AH4 is considered to be the direct equivalent of the American gun M777. This artillery system was designed to be as lightweight as possible for maximum mobility and air transportability. Many parts of this howitzer were designed to serve multiple functions in order to reduce weight. Development of AH-4 completed in July 2016.  Due to its light weight AH4 can air lifted to desire positions makes it extremely useful in mountain warfare.

NORINCO states that the AH4 has a combat weight of 4,500 kg, including its hydro-pneumatic suspension that enables the weapon to be deployed in firing position within three minutes and returned to its towed position in two minutes. The AH4's elevation and traverse limits are almost identical to the M777 at -3 to 72° and 22.5° respectively. Gun tube is 39 times the diameter, because the use of ramming machine gun in the intensive fire, the initial rate of fire is up to 5 rounds per minute, with continuous shooting at 2 rounds per minute. This artillery system is operated by a crew of 8. In case of emergency it can be operated by a crew of 5, though with significantly reduced rate of fire.
AH-4 has a 155 mm/L39 tube. It can use a wide array of ammunition, including High Explosive (HE), High Explosive Fragmentation (HE-FRAG), smoke, incendiary, cluster, mine -scattering and other specialized projectiles. AH4 is also capable of firing NORINCOs expanded family of 155 mm precision-guided munitions (PGMs). These include the latest 155 mm laser-guided projectile (LGP) GP6, which has minimum range of 6 Km and maximum range of 25 km with a first round hit probability of 90% and is capable of engaging stationary and moving targets. The GP6 is claimed to be more resistant to jamming than the GP1 (earlier version of LGP), while its multiple laser coding technology enables co-operative multi-target engagement. The GP1 and GP6 are also referred to as the GP155 and GP155A respectively. Norinco also markets the GP155B, which is guided by a global navigation satellite system (GNSS). With rocket-assisted projectile AH4 can fire up to 40 km. AH-4 howitzer is compatible with any NATO-standard 155 mm projectiles. This feature hugely expands the variety of ammunition it uses.
 
Specifications
Max Range of Fire      : 20-40Km
Rate of Fire         : 2-4 RPM
In Service                    : Unknown

Variants
 
SH-11: SH-11is a self-propelled artillery system, based on an 8x8 armored personnel carrier. It uses modified 155 mm /L39 ordnance of the AH-4. This artillery system was developed mainly for export. It was first publicly revealed in 2018.
 
AHS-4: a three-ton variant that is designed for mountain warfare.

Picture


SH-1

The SH-1 is a 155mm self-propelled howitzer developed by China North Industries Group Corporation (NORINCO). SH-1 started as an export project with Pakistan and Burma.  The artillery system has been in development since 2002, it was first revealed during the 2007. It was modeled after a French CASEAR.
SH1 has advantages such as high mobility, large fire-power, fast hit capability, modular design, good cost-effectiveness, etc. SHI has a combat weight of about 22 tonnes and is normally operated by a crew of five who are seated in the armour protected four door cab towards the front of the chassis to the rear of the diesel powerpack. Mounted on the cab roof is a 12.7 mm machine gun for local and air defence purposes.
The SH-1 self-propelled artillery system is fitted with an ordnance of an AH-2 155 mm/L52 howitzer, which can fire a range of ammunitions developed by NORINCO, including: Extended-Range, Full-Bore, Rocket-Assisted, High-Explosive (ERFB-RA/HE) and Extended-Range Full-Bore, Base-Bleed, High-Explosive (ERFB-BB/HE). When using the ERFB-BB/HE round, the howitzer can reach a maximum range of 53km. The howitzer can also fire the 155mm semi-active laser-guided projectile developed by NORINCO based on the Russian Instrument Design Bureau (KBP) 152mm Krasnopol projectile. In addition, the howitzer is able to use the standard NATO 155mm ammunitions. The vehicle carries 20 rounds onboard. Secondary weapon includes a 12.7mm QJC88 anti-aircraft machine gun mounted on the roof of the driving cab.
The artillery system is mounted on a 6X6 wheeled chassis with a forward engine and an armour-protected driving cab. The vehicle can climb a 1.2m-high vertical obstacle, and has a maximum road speed of 90km/h. The vehicle is equipped with two hydraulically operated stabilizers which are lowered in preparation for the firing. The howitzer barrel is electric-operated, with an elevation of 0~70 degrees. The artillery system has a combat weight of 22 tonnes, and is operated by a crew of five.
The SH1 is equipped with a computerized fire-control system, with a muzzle velocity sensor which feed the data directly to the fire-control computer. The artillery system is equipped with navigation, positioning, targeting, and communications systems, all of which adopt the modular design for easy maintenance and upgrade. The onboard communication system enables the artillery system to be connected into the C4ISR network of an artillery company or battalion for information sharing and automated command and control.
Pakistan acquired a total of 90 SH-1 truck-mounted howitzers. Deliveries were completed between 2012 and 2013.

Specifications
Max Range      : 53Km
Rate of Fire     : 6-8 Rpm
In Service        : Not applicable

Variants
SH-1A:  is an improved version, based on a new 6x6 vehicle.
PCL-181/ SH-15: is a similar howitzer, based on 6x6 truck. It was first publicly revealed in 2018, though first images of this artillery system appeared little earlier.

Picture
Picture

​SH-2


The SH2 122mm self-propelled howitzer is the second 6x6 truck-mounted artillery system developed by NORINCO. The artillery system was first revealed during the 2007. The SH2 was developed mainly for the export market, but it cannot be ruled out that the artillery system may also be adopted by the PLA in its airborne force and Marine Corps.
The main armament of the SH2 artillery system is a 122mm howitzer possible developed from the PL96 122mm towed cannon towed howitzer design. Like the PL96/D-30, the SH2 has a recoil-recuperator mechanism mounted above the gun barrel. The electric-operated howitzer has an elevation range of 0~70° and an azimuth range of +/- 30°. The howitzer has a rate of fire of 6~8 rounds/min. There are 24 rounds carried onboard the vehicle.
The howitzer has a maximum firing range of 22km when using the NORINCO Extended-Range, Full-Bore, Hollow-Base (ERFB-HB) round, or 27km when using the NORINCO Extended-Range, Full-Bore, Rocket-Assisted (ERFB-RA) round. The howitzer can also fire the Russian D-30 122mm ammunitions. NORINCO has been producing the 152/155mm laser-guided projectile based on the Russian Instrument Design Bureau (KBP) 152mm Krasnopol projectile design under license, but it is not known whether NORINCO has also obtained the license to produce the KBP Kitolov 122mm laser-guided projectile.
The artillery is mounted on a 6X6 wheeled chassis developed from a 4x4 HMMWV-like utility vehicle, with a maximum road speed of over 90km/h and a maximum range of 600km. The vehicle is capable of climbing 60% gradient and has a turning radius of less than 13m. The artillery system is operated by a crew of 4~5 people, and have a combat weight of 11.5 tonnes. The system can transform between travelling and combat mode within 45~50 seconds. A typical mission of transforming from travelling mode to combat mode, firing six rounds, and transforming back to the travelling mode can be completed with 2 minutes.
The vehicle is equipped with two hydraulically operated stabilizers which are lowered in preparation for the firing. The artillery crew is seated inside an armour-protected driving cab. The vehicle is fitted with a central-inflating system, and can reach a maximum road speed of 90km/h. The artillery system can be airlifted by a large transport aircraft such as IL-76 or Y-8.
The SH2 is also equipped with a computerized fire-control system, including GPS navigation and positioning, targeting, and communications systems, all of which adopt the modular design for easy maintenance and upgrade. The artillery is used within a C4ISR network at company or battalion level. The artillery system is operated by a crew of 4~5 people

Specifications
Max Range     : 27 Km
Rate of Fire     : 6-8 Rpm
In service        : unknown
 
Variants
 
SH-5: is a similar artillery system, based on the same 6x6 chassis. Though it is fitted with a lighter 105 mm howitzer.
There is also a 152 mm version, based on the same 6x6 chassis. It mounts modified ordnance of the PL-66 gun-howitzer. It was first publicly revealed in 2018.

Picture
Picture
SH-3(WMZ-322)

SH-3 artillery system is an improved version of the Type 89. Its industrial designation is WMZ322. This artillery system was offered for export customers. The only known customer of the SH-3 is Rwanda. This country acquired 6 units in 2007. SH-3 is in the service of the Chinese army.  It is armed with a variant of the PL-96 122 mm/L32 howitzer. Maximum range of fire is 18 km with standard HE projectile, 22 km with extended-range and 27 km with rocket assisted projectile. This artillery system is also capable of firing 122 mm laser-guided projectiles. 
Secondary armament consists of a roof mounted 12.7 mm machine gun. The SH-3 is fitted with improved fire control system.
Armor of the SH-3 provides protection against small arms fire and artillery shell splinters. NBC protection and automatic suppression systems are fitted as standard.
This artillery system is operated by a crew of 5.
The SH-3 uses a new chassis, which is based on the Type 89 chassis, but has numerous improvements. It is powered by a BF8M1015CP turbocharged diesel engine, developing 590 hp. It is based on a German-made Deutz engine. Due to the new chassis the SH-3 has greater mobility than the previous Type 89.
Standard equipment of SH3 includes a infrared night vision device, a meteorological sensor, a NBC protection, an automatic fire-extinguishing system and a GPS navigation system. WMZ322 is also equipped with an automatic fire control system that includes a digital ballistic computer, an optical sight for day and night vision and a laser range finder installed at the top of the turret.

Specifications
Max Range: 27Km
Rate of Fire: 6-8 Rpm
In Service: ~50

Variants
PLZ-07: is a version of the SH-3.

Picture
Picture
SH-5

SH5 is a further development of the SH2 which is armed with a 105 mm howitzer. SH-5 105mm self-propelled Artillery System is installed on a 6X6 truck chassis and similar to French GIAT CAESAR self-propelled howitzer. SH-5 is developed for exporting.
The SH5 is armed with 105 mm/37-calibre ordnance. The 105 mm gun is mounted on a turntable fitted to a flatbed just behind the crew compartment. This has elevation from zero degrees to plus 70 degrees with traverse being 30 degrees left and right. The maximum range depends on projectile/charge combination but NORINCO has released the following range figures for this 105 mm system: A total of 40 × 105 mm projectiles at carried in the ammunition containers located at the rear of the chassis. During firing, two stabilizers are lowered at the rear of the vehicle.
The armor crew compartment is mounted just behind the engine. The crew cabin is protected again small arms firing and shell splinters. The front of the crew compartment is fitted two large bulletproof windows to the front with two forward opening doors down either side. Each of these doors has a large bulletproof window in the upper part. All the windows of the vehicle provide the same level of protection as the crew armor cabin.
The SH5 is based on a 6 × 6 cross-country chassis that is a new design that is also used for the SH2 122 mm (6 × 6) self-propelled artillery system. The vehicle's high-road speed reaches 100km/h and range can reach over 800 km. The engine is mounted at the front of the vehicle.
SH5 is fitted with a computerized fire-control system, including GPS navigation and positioning, targeting, and communications systems, all of which adopt the modular design for easy maintenance and upgrade. The artillery is used within a C4ISR network at company or battalion level. The SH5 is fitted with a central-inflating system. A spare wheel is mounted at the rear of the vehicle. The SH-5 is also is equipped with two hydraulically operated stabilizers mounted at the rear of the vehicle which are lowered in preparation for the firing. A spare wheel is mounted at the rear of chassis.

Specifications
​

Max Range      : 18Km?
Rate of Fire     : 8 Rpm?
In Service        : unknown

Picture

SH-11

SH-11 is a new 155mm 8x8 wheeled self-propelled howitzer which unveiled during Air Show China 2018. This system is intended mainly for export.  This artillery system is based on the VN1 8x8 armored vehicle fitted with a turret mounted at the rear top of the hull which is armed with one 155 mm/L39 howitzer.
The SH-11 uses modified ordnance of the AH-4 lightweight field howitzer. Fume extractor was added.It has a maximum firing range of 25 km with standard projectiles and 40 km with rocket-assisted projectiles. The SH-11 can also use precision-guided munitions, such as GP155 laser-guided projectiles (Chinese copy of the Krasnopol), GP155B GPS-guide projectiles (Chinese copy of the M982 Excalibur), GP155G, also known for export as GS1, smart anti-armor projectiles (Chinese copy of the Bonus).

SH11 howitzer is fitted with a fully automatic loading system offering fast firing and manoeuvring while the autonomous system integrates seamlessly into the networked and centralized command and control system.
The SH11 has a crew of three including driver, commander and gunner. The roof of the turret seems to be equipped with latest generation of optics that includes a new panoramic sight. The turret has a traverse of 360°.
The hull and the turret provide protection against firing of small arms and artillery shell splinters. It has a combat weight of 36,000 kg.  
 
Specifications
Max Range      : 40Km
Rate of Fire     : ??
In Service        : unknown

Picture
SH-11
Picture
SH-15(PCL-181)
Picture
SH-2 rocket trajectories

Next Part Chinese Multiple Rocket Launch Sysytems

0 Comments

HAL Combat Air Teaming System

5/18/2021

3 Comments

 

As the use of unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) in military operations has increased, so too have their capabilities. One recently developed capability is the ability to operate in conjunction with traditional manned aircraft through a process called manned-unmanned teaming (MUM-T), allowing manned aviators to benefit from the unique capabilities of UAS.

UAV's have been carrying out all the missions solo but with the development of Artificial Intelligence (AI), machine learning and deep learning they can carry out missions autonomously without any control from the ground. This gives them an opportunity to execute teaming. They can be small as they do not have a pilot inside. But when they are small the sensors are small and the range becomes smaller. Therefore, they need a manned aircraft to aid them in firing long range weapons. For the past one year the HAL has been working on how to develop teaming which is based on AI.
​
It is in this dimension where  disproportionate gains  are being achieved by the skillful amalgamation of the intelligence, grit, determination, tolerance for ambiguity, instant decision making capability and more of the combat pilot with the tremendous range, reach, endurance and the weapon carrying capability of the so called “dull, dirty and the dangerous” UAS.  The rise of Integrated Air Defense Systems (IADS) is leading to more complex and challenging operational environments to the air forces. Teaming of manned combat aircraft with unmanned systems is one way of challenging advanced IADS like Chinese IADS, whilst bringing the additional benefit of reducing the risk to the pilots. So future is MUM-T

Picture

Combat Air Teaming System
 
Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) is developing a Manned-Unmanned System called Combat Air Teaming System (CATS), a deep penetration attack system that enables a fighter pilot to remain safely within the country’s borders, while being able to deploy UAS or swarms of drones deep into enemy territory to destroy targets.
 
HAL had quietly initiated the CATS project in 2017 and also tested the project in Pokhran in Rajasthan for the Indian Air Force, senior officers of which were said to be impressed by watching the tests. The preliminary design work has been completed. Work is now being done to define the requirements for a future cockpit for the type capable of handling the workload. As part of CATS, future variants of the Tejas Mk-1A will act as a ‘Mothership for Air teaming eXploitation’ (MAX) and will be modified with additional command and control interfaces for this purpose. The ‘mothership’ will take around 15 months to get ready to be made compatible with CATS.  By 2024-25 HAL will be able to develop the CATS. HAL started detailed design work on the separate components that comprise the CATS system. The CATS project is part of a larger dream project by HAL to develop the advanced technologies of the future.
There are three reasons for developing CATS: India’s relatively limited military resources, the desire to create advanced future-class combat equipment and a tactical preference to use more unmanned assets for attacks on hostile areas. The central objective was to enhance teamwork.

CATS is a system of systems, it is an umbrella system which have a mother ship based on the LCA platform. The two-seater Tejas Mk1 Trainer as ‘Mothership for Air teaming eXploitation’ (MAX) will have a pilot in front and a weapon system operator in the rear. Weapon system operator of Tejas MAX will control the UAS/swarms drones associated with each LCA.  The CATS will link a network of advanced autonomous drones to a fighter aircraft which will subsequently use the drones for air-to-air, air-to-sea and air-to-ground combat. Tejas MAX mother ship is currently using as a test-bed for testing new technologies developed as part of CATS. 

A different system based on CATS technology for Jaguar aircraft known as Jaguar MAX customized for jaguar aircraft also under development. Currently The LCA Tejas or the Jaguar Darin III will be the choice as "mother ships”. The CATS concept can be transported into any other aircrafts of IAF including cargo and helicopters.
CATS comprises three components that can be separately or simultaneously deployed –CATS Warrior (Teaming drone), CATS Hunter (air-launched cruise missile) and Alpha-S (glider drone). All three are controlled by the pilot from the mothership via a secure data links, and equipped with electro-optical and infrared sensors. Much of the work is being done by HAL, which is also partnering with Indian start-ups to deliver the programme. Scale models are expected to begin testing in the near future. Since the Tejas lacks an operational datalink, HAL is looking to integrate an indigenous datalink that is being tested on the Hawk-I.
​
All the drones in the CATS family can work autonomously if the data link with GCS/mother ship lost.   They have the intelligence where the other assets would be in the tactical scenario therefore they will do something sensible or execute the attack.

All the assets in the CATS family have conformal Omni-directional UHF antennas in the top and bottom of their airframe, using these data links they are connected with each other all the time. They would be in communication with each other and with mother ship. The mother ship will be in communication with other mother ships and with the air force data link to get the data from AWACS, these data passes down to the warriors in lead. 
The primary user of the CATS family is IAF. HAL is also developing Army & navy variants. These variants will have different mission’s profiles and weapons package. Army & navy prefer smaller versions with Vertical Takeoff and Landing (VTOL) or any other kind of launching mechanism. Army/Navy versions will be lighter, it would have smaller engines. There would be a warrior 0.5, 0.33, 0.25 versions (size) HAL can develop these smaller versions in a matter of months; these smaller versions are already under building. The army variant will be controlled by Mobile ground controllers.

HAL is not only working with IAF but also with Army & Navy to make the system operational as early as possible. Project management teams from, Air force, Army, Navy & HAL is working together to make It reality and HAL has enough money to complete the project. 

Picture
Picture
Picture

CATS Warrior (Loyal Wingman)
 
CATS Warrior is an autonomous unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) which is intended to operate alongside/ahead of the LCA mother ship as a loyal wingman. CATS Warrior is the first loyal wingman showcased, at least in mockup form, with air-to-air missiles. Warrior can take off and land autonomously. The Warrior is primarily envisioned for Indian Air Force use and a similar, smaller, version will be designed for the Indian Navy. It could be used both as a forward-deployed scout for regular aircraft as well as for directly engaging enemy targets. 
CATS Warrior can take off on its own from the ground and target enemy locations. The Warrior is being armed with air-to-air and air-to-ground missiles, which would be used to hit targets on the ground or in the air. CATS Warrior has a combat radius of 350km, after completing the mission CATS Warrior will return to base. If required, the CATS Warrior can sacrifice itself to crashing into the target in long-range combat missions; it can go up to 700km and hit a target like a kamikaze drone.

Multiple Warriors will be commanded by a single Tejas. Currently Tejas mothership can control maximum four warrior loyal wingman drones. The idea is to maximize the effectiveness of every mission while reducing the potential of losing the lives of precious pilots since they would be accompanied by the drones which would protect them.
The Warrior, is designed as a stealth platform, being small It has inherently less  surface area, the airframe is built using composite radar absorbent structures allows the UAV to operate in stealth mode. Warrior airframe is shaped for stealth, nose cone, serpentine air intake on top of the airframe; weapon bays, conformal data link antennas etc are some of the stealth features. Weapons bay doors, radome etc are zigzagged to scatter the radar waves away from the radar source. Exhaust nozzle is specifically designed for defeat high frequency radars which target the drones from behind. The corrugated nozzle of warrior also helps to reduce the IR signature. These stealth features would allow it to evade being picked up by radar, which makes its detection challenging for contemporary systems.
The Warrior is equipped with an electro-optic/infrared (EO/IR) payload, active electronically scanned array (AESA) radar, inertial navigational unit, and electronic warfare suite for intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) and combat operations. Warrior will serve as a ‘sensor amplifier’ for the LCA, flying out ahead of the manned aircraft and using its sensors to feed information back to LCA. All the electronics and other sensors/equipments will acquire from various DRDO/HAL labs. Sources of electronics are already identified these systems are already in use with various aircrafts.

CATS Warrior provided with two internal side weapons bay each can carry one Smart Anti-Airfield Weapon (SAAW) precision-guided weapon as its payload. Current version of CATS Warrior can carry two ASRAAM (NGCCM) close combat missile externally, future variants will be able to carry long range beyond visual range air to air missiles. The Warrior can also carry and release the Alpha-S, swarming drone. Each warrior can carry up to 6 Alpha-S each carrying about 5-8kg of explosives, and can target multiple enemy locations simultaneously on being released. Warrior can also carry fuel tanks external. Weapon and fuel payload is mission adaptable. 
 
The CATS Warrior is powered by modified PTAE-7 engine. Upgraded PTAE-7 engine is fitted with FADEC, better compressor, better turbine blades, longer life, better methods of maintenance and got a wider bandwidth of operation. Currently warrior is not fitted with afterburner but HAL is already tested PTAE-7 engine with afterburner module. Adding jet pipe for afterburner increases the overall weight of the drone. For the future variants HAL may use under development HTFE-25 engine.

Other similar loyal wingman drones are supposed to be modular, their components, such as detection or payload delivery systems, being mission-adaptable. The modularity of the CATS Warrior was not mentioned by HAL, and the existence of the multi-purpose Hunter is partially compensating for its lack.
​
CATS Warrior drone system should be ready for first flight by 2024-25 and the mothership integration a year or two latter.

​Specifications
  • Max takeoff weight- 1300Kg
  • Cruise Speed- 0.9 mach
  • Combat radius - 350 km
  • Engine- turbofan engines
  • Payload- 500Kg
  • Endurance- 80 min


Picture
Picture

CATS Hunter (Recoverable Cruise Missile)

The CATS Hunter is being conceived as an air-launched recoverable and reusable low-observable, AI powered cruise missile.  CATS Hunter has the capability of deep penetration strikes. Hunter probably be the first multi-purpose weapons carriage system in the world.

CATS Hunter can carry 250 kg different types of warhead in its internal bomb bay. It will have a range of 200-300 kilometers in one way. In non recoverable missions the missile acts as an Air-launched cruise missile with a range of 500-600km (need confirmation).

Hunter will be equipped with a new generation navigation system, Global Positioning System, Terrain Relative Navigation, Image-Based Navigation, Automatic Target Acquisition, and will be equipped with an Imaging Infrared Seeker/ RF seeker. Hunter will use single up-rated PTAE-7 engine.
CATS Hunter will have 600+ kg weights. It will be powered by an upgraded PTAE-7 turbojet engine.  CATS Hunter could be integrated with Tejas Mk1A, Mirage-2000, and Su-30MKI fighter fleet initially and later on LCA Mk2, TEDBF and AMCA.

Once the mothership reaches a battle area the CATS Hunter will be released from the aircraft and can do air to ground and air to sea attacks. After finishing the mission the pilot can command the hunter to go back to the base in some cases pilot can command to do a suicidal attack on the target. Hunter can also autonomously come back to the base. To aid the landing hunter has two parachutes. When the hunter reaches near the base after completing the mission one parachute which is fitted between air intakes opens and the hunter descend towards the landing point, just before impacting   another parachute opens and with a slow rate of descend it touches the ground, the ground crew can collect the system. Once recovered Hunter can be refueled and rearmed for another mission in a short time period.  It can reprogram with fresh sets of data such as satellite images, co-ordinates etc of its new target. With such a capability hunter can work even in intense electronic warfare/ jamming environment without requiring mid-flight updates. CATS Hunter also can work autonomously without the aid of mother ship. If CATS Hunter failed to find its target it will find another target from its threat library or abort the attack and come back to the base.

CATS Hunter can also do Intelligence Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR) missions, Electronic Warfare missions etc. For ISR mission’s hunter will use surveillance sensors, jamming sensors. During ISR missions its bomb payload is supplanted by fuel it can stay airborne for a long time to carry out jamming, reconnaissance and post-action filming of strike zones .After the mission (any mission) it come back to the base and the data available can extract for evaluation & for future use. During the mission using data links hunter can communicate with Ground Control Stations and can pass data real time.  One Tejas can carry maximum 5 hunters.
 
Specifications
  • Range- 100 km
  • Weight- 600+ kg
  • Warhead- 250 kg

Picture
Picture

CATS ALFA (Air Launch Flexible Asset)
​

CATS ALFA is a carrier for ALFA-S Swarming drones. The ALFA-S drones are packed inside CATS ALFA carrier.  This is a glide pod, LCA can carry maximum 5 CATS ALFA glide pod. The first ALFA-S drone prototypes are likely to be deployed from Hawk Advanced Jet Trainers.

In a mission CATS ALFA carrier drops from the aircraft and can glide 50 to 100 kilometers (need confirmation) into the enemy territory and once it reaches the mission zone, The glide pod opens up by command from pilot/ autonomously and swarm drones comes out and do the mission . The same drone can execute multiple missions or different drones can be designed for different missions. Each CATS ALPHA pod can carry 4 ALFA-S swarming drone in a foldable wing configuration. ALFA-S swarming drones have two folding wings and are between 1 and 2 meters long. After detaching from the carrier pod ALFA-S can further glide into 100-150km, total range of CATS ALPHA / ALFA-S combination is somewhere 150-250 Km depends on the altitude of mother ship and other environmental conditions.

Each Alpha-S weighs around 25 kg and can carry a payload of 5-8 kgs. A single Alpha-S can target several enemy locations through artificial intelligence and machine-learning technology which allows the ALFA-S to discriminate between possible targets. When deployed, the drones fly in formation at speeds of 100 kmph.
The drones in the swarm of Alpha-S are networked via electronic data links, and equipped with electro-optical and infrared sensors. Using their infrared and electro-optical sensors; they detect targets such as surface-to-air missile units, enemy radars and aircraft on the ground. Each drone is designed to be smart enough to 'learn' about what it detects before targets are assigned to individual drones. Each drone then carries out a suicide attack - hitting the target using the high-explosive warhead carried onboard.

Each swarm could have dozens of individual drones. If detected, some of the drones would be shot down, but the sheer numbers of the swarm would overwhelm enemy defenses and ensure a high probability of mission success. According o brochures ALFA-S can be used for ISR missions fitted with EO/IR and ELINT sensors.
 
Specifications
  • Range- 100 km (glider), 100km (drone)
  • Weight- 25 kg (drone)
  • Warhead- 5-8 kg
  • Service ceiling – 6Km
  • Endurance – 1.5h
  • Speed – 100+ km/h

Picture
Picture

CATS Infinity
 
As part of CATS, HAL is also developing a high-altitude pseudo satellite system CATS Infinity that can fly at about 70,000ft continuously for 2-3 months, to maintain surveillance on the ground below. This is a futuristic concept which no other country has yet developed. It will be a solar powered system. HAL is developing this jointly with a startup.
CATS Infinity will act as a data link relay station between various assets of the CATS family. It will be equipped with advanced sensors such as synthetic aperture radar and other surveillance equipment's.
​
CATS Infinity can cover larger areas with less interference. They could also help ease data transfer when used as an intermediate conduit between a satellite and UAVs. Infinity would help to coordinate attack missions of CATS, and also helps in providing Battle Damage Assessment (BDA) via live video feeds and images to determine if the mission was successful and to plan the next course of action.

All research and development of the aircraft was done in-house, which is being validated by aerospace major Boeing. The first flight of High Altitude Pseudo Satellite was scheduled for 2019 but delayed. 

Picture

ACID (Air Combat Intelligence Development)
 
To support the Manned and UnManned Teaming operations (MUM-T), an advance artificial intelligence (AI) based combat algorithm is being developed under a program called Air Combat Intelligence Development (ACID). Developed by The IAF and Bengaluru-based start- up New Space Research & Tech ACID utilizes deep reinforcement learning (DRL) to increase the efficiency of the algorithm based manned unmanned teaming implementation towards future ops.

Picture

Jaguar max

The glimpses of HALs manned unmanned team system was first broke cover in aero India 2019 as Jaguar max. CATS Hunter, a SCALP-like cruise missile, as is the CATS ALFA-S switchblade swarm drone was displayed at Aero India 2019 as a teaming system with a Jaguar weapons upgrade package by HAL. HAL displayed new avionics, a cockpit, and a model of the heavily armed upgraded Jaguar ground-attack aircraft.

The Jaguar MAX primarily features an EL/M-2052 active electronically scanned array (AESA) radar from Elta, an AESA-based wide-band jammer, a combined interrogator transponder, a flight management system, a configurable cockpit with a larger area display, a voice command system, a helmet-mounted display, an L-band datalink for long-range missions, a GAGAN/GPS/GLONASS-aided INS (with IRNSS optional), a software defined V/UHF radio, and modernized engines (optional).

The aircraft can be configured with a Radar Targeting Pod (2 seat-variant)/Laser Pod/Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) Pod/Electro-Optical (EO) Pod to meet various mission requirements.
​
The Jaguar MAX is envisioned to carry and launch various next-generation air-launched weapons, including a gliding heavy-weight new-generation precision-guided monition; five sensor-based, multi-warhead, anti-tank smart bombs; a new-generation laser-guided bomb; 16 gliding, lightweight smart anti-airfield weapons; a sea skimming anti-ship missile; two new-generation short-range air-to-air missiles; four next-generation beyond visual-range air-to-air missiles; five advanced medium-range cruise missiles; and 12 swarming unmanned air vehicles.

Picture
Picture
Picture




​
Picture
CATS ALFA carrier prototypes are likely to be deployed from Hawk Advanced Jet Trainers
Picture
Picture
Proposed cockpit of jaguar MAX
Picture
Proposed cockpit of jaguar MAX
Picture
Front cockpit of Tejas MAX
Picture
Rear (WSO) cockpit of Tejas MAX
Picture
CATS Warrior
Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture
NGCCM/ASRAAM & SAAW
Picture
Picture
PTAE-7 Engine
3 Comments

NETRA AEW&C India’s eyes in the sky

5/11/2021

0 Comments

 

​What is AEW&C?

AEW&C system is a potent force multiplier, providing surveillance, tracking, identification and classification of the Airborne/Sea surface targets. The information from multiple sensors are collated, associated and fused to provide a cogent and comprehensive air situation picture on configurable consoles. Further capabilities include threat assessment and enabling the interception of the hostile targets through guidance of own interceptor.
Picture
Introduction
​

The development of an indigenous Airborne Early Warning and Control System (AEW&C) was taken up by DRDO & IAF in 2004. Development of indigenous AEW&C system as a mission mode programme commenced with appropriating Centre for Airborne Systems (CABS), Bengaluru, as the nodal agency. The development was taken up based on operational requirements evolved jointly by a team of DRDO and IAF.  The platform for the development was specified by the IAF as EMB-145 executive jet manufactured by M/s Embraer of Brazil. After the sanction of the programme, IAF revised the operational requirements in tune with their emerging war fighting scenario. The revised operational requirement necessitated building of an AEW&C system on a small aircraft with all the systems and functionalities similar to that of the bigger AWACS being procured by IAF.  DRDO took up the challenge and has made the systems a reality.   The AEW&C aircraft is a derivative of Embraer ERJ-145 extensively modified and customized to house the indigenous mission systems developed in India. The complete integration of the mission system and its flight evaluation has been carried out in India. One of the main features of the aircraft is that it is the Embraer executive jet aircraft to have air to air refueling.
 
The system was envisaged to have full net centric capability through multiple LOS and Satellite Communication Data links, on-board Mission Computer, which enables the operator to carry out the information fusion, mission control, and reconfigurable operator consoles for the operator to interact with the system and exploit the system capabilities in tune with the operational environment. 
Picture

The AEW&C system is a system of systems having primary radar (PR), secondary surveillance radar (SSR), electronic support measure, communication support measure (CSM), ‘C’- Band Data Link (CBDL), ‘Ku’- Band SATCOM data link (KBDL), V/UHF communication link working in the microwave region. These subsystems are mounted onboard an EMB 145 aircraft, the Indian AEW&C system is versatile in choice of the sub-systems and its capabilities.

Equipment's

  • Active Electronically Scanned Array for Primary Radar (PR)
  • Fully indigenous, electronically scanned antenna based MK-XII(S) and mode 4 capable Identification Friend or Foe (IFF) System.
  • Electronic Support Measure (ESM) and Communication Support Measure (CSM) for detection of hostile air defenses
  • Satcom & line of sight Voice and Data Communication System
  • Self-protection Suite (SPS) consisting of UV-based Missile Approach Warning Sensor (MAWS) and Radar Warning Receiver (RWR).
  • Mission Communication System for Air-to-Air, Air-to-Ground V/UHF voice
  • Satellite-based Non Line-of-Sight Communication and Data Link.
  • C band Line-of-Sight Communication and Data Link.
  • V/UHF voice only communications system
  • Five Operator Workstation and Five rest crew seats, Reconfigurable Operator Work Stations.
  • Extendable Endurance with In-Flight refueling (IFR)
  • Dedicated APU's for Mission Avionics
  • Fuel Efficient Regional Jet aircraft platform
  • Tactical Battle Management Software
  • Mission Computer
 
All the above systems are electrically and functionally integrated through a high speed LAN and complete suite of tactical software fully developed in house.  This software provides functionalities such as multi sensor tracking and data fusion, multi target tracking, identification and classification, system control and monitoring interception and battle management functions, all of which are developed in house. A comprehensive Human Machine Interface again developed in house, projects the real-time air situation picture, into five reconfigurable consoles, in a manner required by the individual operators. In addition to the airborne complement, five major ground systems supporting all aspects of planning, training, maintenance, and integration with IAF Command and Control Centre also have been developed fully indigenously.
These are:
  • Mission Planning and Analysis Station (MIPAS), which enables multiple operators to plan their mission on AEW&C simultaneously. Additionally a laptop-based mobile MIPAS also have been configured and provided.
  • Ground Exploitation Station, receives the information from the aircraft and communicates the information to the IAF Command and Control Centre.
  • Operator Training Station, which enables up to 8 operators to be trained simultaneously on all aspects of operation of the AEW&C.
  • Automated Test Equipment, which enables first level of maintenance through automated test process.
  • Mission Software Support Facility, a software repository to maintain the software versions through life of AEW&C.
 
All of these are backed by a regular post development support project taken by CABS to enable operational and maintenance support to the IAF for a period of three years.  The AEW&C system has undergone extensive flight evaluation flying close to 1500 hrs (700+ sorties). These include flying at Bengaluru, evaluation campaigns at various IAF bases such as Jamnagar, Bhatinda, Jodhpur, Gwalior, Agra, Chabua to state a few. Evaluation of the system also includes evaluation through conduct of Large Fleet Engagement exercise (more than 25 of them) to evaluate the complete performance capabilities of the AEW&C command, control, battle management, etc. The AEW&C system is being integrated with the IAF’s Command and Control System.
 
Specifications
​

Range: 250-300km
Aircraft range: 3700km
Service ceiling: 3700ft
Maximum speed: Mach 0.8

Picture

Sensor arrangement
​

In AEW&C, the real estate available on board the aircraft is limited and hence antennae are to be kept in close proximity to each other. On the exterior of the AEW&C aircraft, there are 89 antennae and sensors located in a cramped condition. In addition, aircraft body being metallic, the individual antenna radiation pattern gets distorted due to ‘body effect’. Hence, prior knowledge of the individual antenna radiation pattern alone cannot help while selecting suitable locations on the exterior of the aircraft for various antennae. Moreover, aircraft safety being of the highest priority, the ideal location requirement from antenna radiation pattern point of view has to take a back seat. The first step toward location identification is to predict the antenna radiation pattern with ‘body effects’. For this, one has to resort to any of the computational electro-magnetic methods. Commercial tools such as E-Mind have been used for this. This exercise is recitative and time consuming. Depending upon the number of locations tried for each antenna, one generates voluminous data.
In general the antenna location process went through the following steps:
  • No location on the control surfaces.
  • No location that affects air flow over the control surfaces.
  • No location that blocks the air in-take.
  • No location that leads debris into the engine during bird strike
  • No location that interferes with aircraft controls.
  • No location that does not have structure to support the antenna
  • No location that burns the other mission system front- end
  • Preferably locations not affecting the cooling for other mission systems
  • Preferably locations not affecting field of view of other mission systems
  • Preferably locations not affecting the performance of other systems.
 
The location of the SATCOM radome adjusted forward to allow sufficient air for the active antenna array unit located in the rear under all ‘angle-of-attack’ conditions. Similarly, the AAAU itself was moved forward to avoid damage from a possible broken engine blade leading to a flight hazard. Additional fins had to be added to stabilize the aircraft under ‘side-slip’ conditions as there was a blockage of air to the control surface. 

Picture
Block diagram of working of AEW&C system

Active electronically scanned array radar
​

Active Antenna Array Unit (AAAU) is a major as well as critical component of the AEW&C system and has been indigenously developed state-of-the-art technology.       AAAU is an active electronically scanned array (AESA)-based radar having more than 1,000 elements producing several tens of kilo watts of power. The AAAU is mounted on dorsal side of the aircraft fuselage using four pylons. Being an external structure of an aircraft with the dimensions of 8.2m X 0.9m X 0.5m, it qualified stringent airworthiness requirements. AAAU structure is designed for aerodynamic loads, inertia loads and aero-elastic requirements. The mechanical design of AAAU is designed considering easy accessibility for various electronic components (LRUs) inside the AAAU. The fool proof design of AAAU caters for antenna structure, thermal, microwave electronics & digital electronics. Wind tunnel tests and CFD studies were conducted for the AAAU to optimize the aerodynamic shape of front and rear hood and to estimate the internal and external aerodynamic loads. Structural tests such as Modal Analysis Test (MAT), Static Strength Test (SST) and Ground Vibration Test (GVT) were conducted and validated with Finite Element Analysis.
 
Internal design is made to optimize the cable routing, for accommodation of front end electronics of primary & secondary surveillance radars and cooling of them. This design, using ram air for cooling the electronics inside the AAAU, drastically reduces the burden on the cooling system virtually to one third and consequently the power that is required for cooling is also reduced. The front hood and antenna panels were structurally optimized, tested and certified for bird impact requirements specified in Federal Aviation Regulation (FAR– 25). 

Picture
Picture
AEW&C Active Electronic Array Antenna
Picture
AAAU in PNFM facility.

​The radar offers multifunction, multi-mode capability with highly agile beam steering and electronic beam stabilization by the array. Radiating interface, the major subsystem of the PR Active Electronically Scanned Array (AESA), is first of its kind. To obtain higher sensitivity, the AAAU is designed with high power transmit capability and also achieved ultra-low side lobe level in the receive mode.  The AAAU array has been developed with amalgamation of analog and digital electronics, microwave & electrical technologies. Its sophisticated electrical power distribution system comprises enough safety measures. The performance of the array is maintained by in-situ calibration system.
 
Critical building block that supports all functional requirements of the radar and serves as heart of the AAAU system are TRMMs. The TRMM’s also have RF and digital manifolds to accommodate the size and weight due to its unique design. The unique design of integrated antenna aperture for both primary and secondary surveillance system along with cladded radome has reduced the weight and volume constraints. This uniqueness has also helped in bringing out the microwave losses thus making it a win-win from both structural and electronics aspects. With the aid of several stages of RF distributer and combiner networks single RF signal input is fed to all elements of planar array. The received signals from all elements are combined by TR modules and stages of RF combiners.  To achieve the command & control of installed LRU’s of AAAU system a controller has been devised with required hardware and software. The unit accepts the control and commands information from central unit/IFF SP/MSC through specific interfaces and distributes the same to AAAU LRU’s.  

Picture
AAAU Exploded view
Picture
Lightning test

​​The bottom portion of the AAAU contains the Multi-output power supplies (MOPS) that require more cooling than the TR modules that are placed in the middle. The internal airflow for each of the 160 Transmit-receive multi-modules (TRMM) should be not less than 15 CFM even under blockage conditions due to the presence of SATCOM radome under all pitch- and yaw-conditions. To assess the required quantum of airflow, wind tunnel tests were carried out apart from CFD analysis. The system has about 2 km length of RF cables in the air passage.
Safety against bird strikes is another vital requirement for AAAU being a large airborne antenna system. This calls for selection of proper material and structural design for the AAAU. The criteria are such that after the bird strike, there should not be a cause for any flight-safety concern. The debris from a damaged antenna beyond a certain size, for example, should not be able to enter the engine. The carbon composite front hood with aluminum mesh and the aluminum slotted array are designed for such a criterion. Apart from transient analysis, actual test is also conducted with frozen bird of 4-pound weight.
Another special requirement for the airborne antenna is that it has to pass the lightning test for both direct and indirect effects. After zonal analysis, the lightning attachment points are identified and provided with paths for lightning to pass through without causing any structural damage. The indirect effects can be equally damaging like direct effects on items like the TRMM with sensitive electronics. The lightning must be discharged as much as possible by limiting the current flow in the skin. The waveguide slot array is best suited for this environment. Similarly, the SATCOM radome in the lightning prone zone has button/strip type lightning conductors to retard the lightning effect.
Being external to the fuselage, the cross section of the AAAU perpendicular to the aircraft flight path should be minimal to have low additional drag. Hence, a low drag design was done by suitably designing the antenna panels as integral structural parts of the AAAU and eliminating the need for an additional protective radome. This has not only reduced the drag but also the total weight of the AAAU. After analysis, four antenna panels were joined to form a lager single panel to enhance torsional rigidity. FEM analysis was carried out on and found to be meeting the FAR-25 requirements.
The most critical technology element for the radar is the Transmit-receive multi-module (TRMM). Design of the TRMM was carried out in the microwave lab and evaluated in detail. The most difficult part of the design was thermal management of the components in the TRMM without giving rise to hot spots by usage of ram-air-cooling. 
Picture
RF cables in the AAAU.
Picture
AAAU in Rail Track Rocket Sled facility

​Secondary Surveillance Radar
 
Secondary Surveillance Radar (SSR) is another important sensor in AEW&C system used for detecting targets, identification as a friend or foe while working in tandem with Primary Radar (PR). This information is very vital in the wartime and is also useful to form database during peace time surveillance.
 
SSR system also called Identification Friend or Foe (IFF) system in military terminology comprises of an interrogator fitted with the main radar system on airborne platform and a transponder fitted on target aircraft. It operates as per the recommendations of the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) and STANAG 4193. The interrogator transmits pulsed signal in a particular mode of interrogation in a specified direction. Aircraft fitted with compatible transponder receives the interrogation signal and replies back in the form of another coded signal to the interrogator for processing and identification. The reply provides additional target details such as height, range and azimuth, and target status like communication failure, emergency and hijack. Mode 4 is an encrypted mode of operation that enhances its capability to be secured, jam resistant and resistant to spoofing. Operation in Mode S (level 2) gives capability of selective addressing and data link capability, which are very critical in dense air traffic.
 
Based on the requirements of the user and platform constraint, the high power airborne IFF MK XII(S) interrogator has been developed for the AEW&C programme with a range of more than 375 km using modular approach. It comprises of Electronically Scanned Antenna Array (ESAA), solid-state transmitter, dual channel monopulse receiver and signal processor. All the LRUs of IFF system have been qualified as per the MIL STD 810E/461E/704D and certified for airworthiness by DGAQA/CEMILAC, and has been thoroughly tested in System Test & Integration Rig.  More than 700 user evaluations were carried out by AFPT and ASTE including Large Fleet Engagement (LFE) sorties at various places in India. Formal ATP has been carried out by the IAF task team. Two IFF systems with adequate spare have been inducted into the IAF.

Picture
​Secondary Surveillance Radar components
Picture

Operator Work Station
 
The face of the AEW&C system through which the operators interact with the Mission Systems onboard is the Operator Work Station (OWS). CABS OWS developed in-house to provide the operator a real-time display of the integrated tactical air situation picture on a powerful and ergonomically designed HMI, which enables the operators gain a better situational awareness of the region under surveillance. There are rugged and lightweight five front facing airborne qualified operator consoles onboard. Each OWS receives tracks, plots and emitter data from radar, IFF, ESM & CSM systems via the Mission System Controller (MSC) and provides an Air Situation Picture (ASP) to the operator. The OWS has a lightweight map engine capable of rendering both vector maps and raster maps. It supports multiple projection and coordinate systems and allows the operator to select the map layers such as coast lines, roads, and towns of his choice. The data received through the sensors are presented to the operator in different formats like symbols, textual windows, histograms, spectrum display, waterfall display etc, aiding in operations. An operator deals with complex and large amounts of data and OWS provides better data organization, processing and distribution of actionable information, improving efficiency and reducing the reaction time.
 
The OWS provides capability of initiating interception of a hostile target, reception of the interceptor guidance solutions and commands from the MSC, facility for manual correlation of radar track data with ESM/CSM emitter data. It provides operational control facilities to all the AEW&C systems through keyboard and mouse. Emergency/Warning indications are provided via onscreen messages & audio beeps.
 
 The OWS receives the health information periodically from all sub-systems, via MSC and provides a comprehensive health status display of the systems onboard. Capability to view and monitor different areas of surveillance are provided through multiple Picture-in-Picture windows. Various tools help de-clutter the workspace and manage more electronic data. The five airborne qualified operator consoles comprise a 24” rugged LCD display integrated with a chassis housing multiple Intel-based Single Board Computer (SBC). The OWS has an audio interface through a control panel that enables the operator to access all the communication channels with press of a button while simultaneously operating the display along with headset and integrated speaker.  A foldable desk with a keyboard & mouse, knob-tilting arrangement for the monitor, reading area with transparent glass, light for reading during low visibility, pedal control with PTT switch are some other features of the consoles.  The operator consoles are designed as per the MIL-STD1472F ergonomics. The design also considered, in consultation with the Indian Institute of Aviation Medicine, the ergonomics of operators. The seats are adjustable according to the height and can be tilted. A two level adjustable foot rest facilitates operators with different heights to carry out operations.  Each of the five operator consoles are software reconfigurable to work in one of the six modes according to the role of the operator who is operating on it. The 6 modes of operation are: Air Situation Picture (ASP) / Command & Control (C2) i.e., ASP/ C2; ASP/C2 + CSM; ASP/C2 + ESM; Global Air Situation Picture (GASP) Reconstruction & Playback; Image & Voice Playback(IVPB) and Onboard Training mode.
 
Facility is available to the operator to switch modes as per operational requirements. This allows the operator to view the information according to his requirement. The ESM and CSM operators have been provided GUIs that provide more information on their respective sensors in the ESM and CSM mode. The data along with audio and video of each OWS is recorded and stored for analysis and playback. The GASP mode provides a reconstruction of the entire mission and allows the operator to interact with the display. The IVPB mode provides an audio video replay of the mission. The operators can playback at various speeds, pause and bookmark various entities of interest. The two different playback modes provide the operator with unique and enhanced tools to analyze data post mission. It helps them to further fine-tune their strategy and to suggest further improvements to system. The requirement to meet the audio video recording of the mission is catered to by a recording unit. The Onboard Training Mode provides the operators facility to designate instructor and trainee consoles for providing training onboard during the mission. Along with the onboard training mode, several training sessions have been provided by the CABS team to the command and control operators to train them on the system.  OWS has been inducted in two AEW&C systems, at 200 Sqn of the IAF. Close to 1,000 hours of development flight testing had been carried out. Air Force has also carried out extensive evaluation of the system under realistic operational conditions and through simulated exercises at various bases including large-fleet engagement exercises.

Picture
AEW&C Cockpit
Picture
AEW&C Control Room
Picture
OPERATOR WORKSTATION

​SATCOM Radome for AEW&C

 
Satellite Communication (SATCOM) is one of the sub-systems of AEW&C system and is mounted on the top of fuselage of EMB145I aircraft. A radome protects the antenna from environmental effects in addition to transmit and receive electromagnetic radiations. This radome has been designed and developed by CABS and manufactured by a private partner. Radome meets MIL-R-7705B specifications. Electro-magnetic (EM) design of the radomes meets Ku band (for SATCOM) frequency 10.7 to 14.5 GHz radiation requirements. The radome is designed to withstand aerodynamic loads with minimum deflection under critical aerodynamic loading conditions. It is qualified for lightning protection as per MIL-STD-1757A and also meets bird strike requirements as per FAR 25.571 (e) (1).
 
The size of SATCOM radome is 2702 mm x 703 mm x 563mm which is, as of now, one of largest GFRP radomes developed indigenously. The weight of the radome is about 20 kg. The radome has an EM transparent region having sandwich structure, and the interfacing area (to the metal base on the aircraft) made of monolithic structure. Aluminium alloy AA6061T6 strips are bonded in a specific pattern on the radome surface for lightning protection. Radome is also protected with special radome paint.
Picture
Satcom radome
Picture
satcom

GROUND COMPLEMENTS OF AEW&C
​

System Test Integration Rig
 
AEW&C System being a System of Systems poses greater challenges in integration.  The integration gets challenging when these systems have to work in tandem to form an integrated system.  The complexity increases when the same is to function in an airborne environment where there are constraints in terms of volume, power, cooling etc. The System Test and Integration (STIR) facility ensures a smooth integration and necessary clearances from the stakeholders before being put on the aircraft to reduce both the time and costly flight testing of the systems. This facility is equipped with simulators for checking the system for mechanical, electrical, digital, RF and software integration and providing an integrated environment for tandem working of the system. The Rig also facilitates in terms of carrying out the behavior of the systems under various scenarios that the mission is likely to encounter and caters for the stress testing of the system– especially when testing against 500 to 1000 targets, handling and ascertaining the lag in the systems for real time performances. The systems can be tested against the environments that are encountered in the operational situation ensuring the performances without subjecting resources in the forward areas for testing of the system.
 
Mission Planning and Analysis Station
 
The Mission Planning and Analysis Station (MIPAS) is a critical ground based system which supports pre-and post-mission activities of the AEW&C. The main task of MIPAS, at the pre-mission phase, is to prepare the Mission Parameter Data (MPD) Library to be uploaded to the AEW&C system. The uploaded MPD library serves as the technical and operational online database during the mission. The pre-mission phase outcome, which is the MPD library (a single MPD is for a specific, single mission sortie), consists of Pre Flight Messages (PFM) files and Tactical Mission Data (TMD) files. Each MPD consists of PFM for the subsystems, which include Radar, IFF, Mission Data Processor (MDP), CSM Communication Support Measures (CSM), Electronic Support Measures (ESM), Self-Protection Suite (SPS), Intercept Control Processor (ICP), Mission Recording and Playback (MRP), Operator Work Station (OWS), and Communication PFMs (V/UHF, C Band and SATCOM). TMD consists of Tactical Data Item (TDI),
Weather Data, Mission Order, Mode Code Table, TYCO (Type and Configuration) and GRT (General Rule Table). Tactical Data Item include Fixed Points (like Airbases, Navigation aids, Radar sites, Surface to Air Missiles sites etc), Areas (like Defended areas, Danger zones, Flight corridors etc), and Flight Plans of known aircraft. The PFM and TMD files are needed for the initialization and operation of the airborne mission systems in a specific mission scenario. In a mission sortie, AEW&C generates and records various sensor data (like ESM, CSM), voice, video, RT calls, and navigation data. All these recorded data are required to be decoded and analyzed to improve the performance in future missions. For each sortie these recorded data and video recordings of each operator consoles are very huge. These voluminous data needs to be analyzed in short time.  During post-mission, MIPAS supports data download, playback, analysis and report generation based on the downloaded data from the AEW&C. Facility to feed simulated data is also available. 

Picture

Ground Exploitation Station
​

The Ground Exploitation Station is a transportable field deployable system, which can receive the information from AEW&C system both through a LOS and Satellite Data Links. The GES can be located in remote locations, thereby enabling the availability of the air situation picture around them in real time.
The Ground Exploitation Station (GES) acts as an interface between the AEW&C and the IACCS. The real-time Recognizable Air Situation Picture (RASP) generated onboard AEW&C is transmitted to the GES, which is, interfaced with the IACCS through an interface unit for dissemination of tactical information to the decision makers on the ground. Similarly, the command from the IACCS to the AEW & C is routed through GES.  GES enables the officers to see, live, the sensor data collected by the onboard AEW&C sensors. All this visualization happens on ground (in GES)/Mission Control Room (in IACCS room).  The Communication between AEW&C and GES can happen in one of the three modes: CBDL Data link; Ku Band Data link; and V/UHF communication system. The communication between GES and IACCS happens through Ethernet link. Once the sensors data is on IACCS network, it provides seamless availability of the information at any place across India.  GES, being a modular design, is easy for transportation and deployment.  Multiple GES can be operational at the same time and the live sensor data can be monitored at different geographical locations.   It comprises of mission system such as, Mission System Controller (MSC), Mission Communication System (MCS), C Band & Ku Band Data Link system and Operator Work Stations (OWS). All these systems are powered through a Diesel Generator (DG) system. As an entity it comprises of the following   shelter / trailer based units, namely GES shelter, DG shelter, trailer mounted CBDL outdoor units, trailer mounted KBDL units and 18m VUHF antenna masts.  GES facility has been established at CABS as well as at Air Force Station Bhatinda, Air Force station Jodhpur and Air Force Station Ambala. The main components of GES are as follows:
 
GES Operator shelter: - houses all the indoor LRUs of mission system. It has been designed to accommodate four racks (for fitment of LRUs, UPS and batteries) two operator work station consoles, one CCTV console and power distribution panel. Racks are fitted with various mission system LRUs like system controller, base band units, tracking receivers, antenna control unit, radios, high power amplifiers, VAIU etc.
 
C Band Data Link Trailer: - is fitted with a 1.8 meter dish antenna; with two feed (Main feed & Acquisition Aid Antenna). The antenna is fitted on a scissors lift; the scissors lift aids in the operation of the antenna at an elevated level. The CBDL trailer also houses a drive control unit, a RF system; a dehydrator and a scissors lift motor.
 
Ku Band Data link trailer: - is fitted with a 2.4 meter dish antenna; with its offset feed. The KBDL trailer houses a RF system consisting of Block Up Converter (BUC), Low Noise Block Down Converter (LNBC), and Electronic Compass. Four hydraulic jacks are provided for the trailers, which aids in meeting pointing accuracy of ground KBDL antenna towards satellite. VUHF Masts two 18 meter masts are fitted near the shelter. VUHF antennas are fitted on top of these two masts, which help in attaining maximum range for communication.  These are pneumatic masts which can be erected using air compressors.

Picture
AEW&C Ground Exploitation Station-Operator Shelter
Picture
Components of Ground Exploitation Station

Operator Training Station
 
Operator Training Station (OTS) is a ground-based system for training the operators in a realistic, simulated environment for providing tactical training, command & control and battle management by simulating the behavior of different airborne sensors under dynamically varying scenarios. It aids in providing hands on training to fighter controllers and judging the operational competence of the squadrons. It not only trains the operators in simulated scenarios comprising of Computer Generated Forces (CGF) but also by recreating previous mission sortie’s recorded large scale integrated exercise scenarios and thus providing exponential benefits. The facility enables enormous cost saving of training in flights of high value asset mission platforms such as AEW&C, thereby conserving precious flying missions. This facility has been extensively used by the Fighter controllers/ Mission Operators for training under different battlefield scenarios on ground. The OTS has capability to train either five Mission operators with five instructors controlling each one of them or one Instructor, training nine mission operators simultaneously. It also has capability of simulated pilot sitting on IOS controlling its own simulated entities. OTS basically comprises of the Instructor Operator Station (IOS), Trainee Operator Station (TOS) and Server Rack

​Automated Test Equipment
 
The maintenance philosophy of the AEW&C system is maintenance at three levels, namely, I (Intermediate), O (Operational) and D (Depot). ‘O’ level maintenance tasks are performed at the operational base mostly in-situ for all the systems.  CABS has designed & developed Automated Test Equipment for testing of Mission System LRUs towards I level maintenance of AEW&C.   The purpose of the ATE is to provide the simulating input to the LRUs and measuring the response based on which decision can be made, whether LRU can be declared as OK or not. The testing of the faulty LRUs off loaded from the Mission System is also done in ATE. It also carries out tests on spare LRUs to the required level of confidence prior to mounting into the Mission System.  The ATE comprises modular and standard commercially-off-the-shelf test equipment interconnected through PXI/PXIe/GPIB bus and also through a fully managed Ethernet Switch. Excitation and measurement is done by the test equipment in the ATE through ITA. The ATE software is built on industry standard platform- NI LabVIEW and NI Test Stand. NI Test Stand is ready-to-run test management software that is designed to develop automated test and validation. In addition, test sequences that integrate code modules written in any test programming language can also be developed. Sequences also specify execution flow, reporting, database logging, and connectivity to other enterprise systems.


Picture
Principal elements of the Airborne Radar Test Bed

​Mission Software Support Facility
 
The Mission Software Support Facility (MSSF) is one of the Ground Segment of AEW&C & is used to provide software maintenance and configuration management of the AEW&C system.  The AEW&C system software is maintained at CSCI (Computer Software Configuration Item) level in the MSSF facility. The MSSF is used as a secure and centralized repository to store the software work-products of AEW&C sub-systems.  The advantage of such repository is to make available all the software for AEW&C at a single place over the life time of the system. A Software Configuration Management server is used to store the software work products. 

Picture
Picture


​PLM Implementation for AEW&C
 
PLM as conceptualized for the AEW&C programme has been implemented as a new way to think about product information towards execution of DRDO programmes within the time & cost constraints meeting all the user specified requirements. The design, development, integration & certification of the AEW&C system involves several partners geographically distributed. A need was felt to pull together interrelated and interdependent information and disparate applications into coherent processes and consolidate all the AEW&C Programme information & processes into a common system. It was felt necessary to provide a collaborative environment through deployment of state-of-the-art technologies both in hardware & software for managing the complex AEW&C Programme environment thereby enabling project teams to use tools, processes & methods that are unified under a heterogeneous environment. The PLM solution proposed was about taking a ‘Systems Approach’ with respect to the information generated to support faster & more informed decision-making throughout the programme lifecycle. The system so implemented have the ability to capture data in a holistic manner with respect to the technology, processes and people across the organization as well as the work-centres working for the AEW&C development. The software enabled an organized process for creation, updating, storage backup, archival, access control and retrieval of all data related with the AEW&C product & programme/ project. It also ensured the management and control of configuration for design data as well as to control the flow of work within and across work groups & workcentres in respect of product/project data of the organization. It enabled in controlling processes and ensuring regulatory compliances. The document management and control functionalities built in to support all documentations of the organization including various types of design data such as drawings, 3D models, analysis, software outputs, in-house software, text documents etc. Data validation procedures ensured consistency & correctness of data.  Thus, the PLM solution provided a complete enterprise solution for all its present and future endeavors in the development of the AEW&C Programme.

Picture


Netra 2.0
​

With the induction of the indigenous AEW&C into the Indian Air Force, DRDO move forward to the next generation system development for the Services, for which preliminary technology initiatives are already well underway.
In Netra 2.0 project Defense Research Development Organization (DRDO) will develop six Airborne Early Warning and Control System (AWACS) aircraft for the Indian Air Force. Six airbus 320 will be acquired from, Air India, for the project. To modify the aircrafts for mounting sensors and AESA radar DRDO will send the aircraft to its European manufacturer. Netra 2.0 will be a scaled-up variant of the Netra Mk1 AEW&C.
​
Netra Mk2 will use GaN based TRMs, and will have more than twice the range of Netra Mk1. A320 is a bigger platform than ERJ 145, so that DRDO can use bigger radar  packed with more transmit receive modules(TRM). A320s bigger engines will meet additional power requirement of the new radar.

According to CABS all six Netra Mk2 will be handed over to IAF within 2028. Netra Mk2 will cover more than 240° what mk1 capable of, Netra mk2 will cover 300° (according to some reports similar to mk1 ie; 240). The radar configuration will be similar to Netra Mk1, Two active antenna array unit (AAAU) assembled back-to-back and mounted on top of the fuselage.  Netra Mk2 can also detect low observable platforms from long distances. Netra Mk2 can perform better in intense EW environment. Netra Mk2 may have synthetic aperture radar for Maritime and Ground Surveillance. The Maritime surveillance Radar will make mk2 capable of Detecting targets at sea and make it swing-role capable AEW&C. 



Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture
MK2 model at aero India 2021
Picture

A330 based 360 degree AEW&C

In 2015, the Indian MoD cleared an Rs 5113 crore program to build an Airbus A330 based AWACS system. While work on the dorsal radome has made progress at the DRDO’s Centre for Airborne Systems (CABS) in Bengaluru, a contract for the aircraft platforms has remained elusive five years after the DRDO was cleared to begin procurement procedures. The plan was to convert the aircraft and deliver them to the forces by 2024-25.
​
It is not clear if Netra 2.0 supplants earlier plans by the DRDO to deliver an Airbus A330 based AWACS system, though the two systems are significantly different in capability and scope. A330 based AEW&C planned to provide 360-degree coverage deep inside the enemy territory during missions. The new AWACS would be equipped with advanced sensors and avionics, making them much superior surveillance platforms in the air.

Picture
Picture
AWACS Dome
Picture
Picture
Possible Radar Antenna of NETRA MK2
Picture
Possible Radar Antenna of NETRA MK2
MORE PICTUERS 
Picture
AAAu technologies.
Picture
AEW&C spectral coverage.
Picture
AEW&C systems on Emb-145 aircraft
Picture
Bird-proofing front hood of AAAU.
Picture
Wind tunnel test.
Picture
DRDO-designed S-band TRMM
Picture
Picture
TRMM
Picture
Picture
Mission Computer
Picture
Picture
Identification Friend or Foe (IFF) MK XII (S) with Mode 4 Capability
Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture
Astra Microwave-assembled TRMMs
Picture
Astra Microwave-assembled TRMMs
Picture
Netra Aerial Refueling
0 Comments

ISRO X-ray Polarimeter Satellite (XPOSAT)

4/23/2021

0 Comments

 

​​XPoSat is a dedicated Indian polarimetry mission to study various dynamics of astronomical sources in extreme conditions. It works in medium energy band and long duration spectroscopic observation in soft energy X-ray band. The mission will help to understand the emission mechanism from a variety of X-ray sources. 
Picture
The spacecraft will carry two scientific payloads in a low earth orbit with preference for a low inclination orbit. The primary payload POLIX (Polarimeter Instrument in X-rays) will measure the polarimetry parameters (degree and angle of polarization) of astronomical sources in medium X-ray energy of 8-30 keV photons. The XSPECT (X-ray Spectroscopy and Timing) payload will give spectroscopic information of soft X-rays in the energy range of 0.8-15 keV.
 
The spacecraft is planned to be launched in 2021 but due to Chinese Wuhan virus pandemic the launch may get delayed. XPOSAT will provide a service time of at least five years. The observatory will be placed in a circular low Earth orbit of 500 to 700 km.
Picture
Deployed View of XpoSAT
Introduction

Since the birth of X-ray astronomy in early 1960s, there has been tremendous improvement in the sensitivity of the X-ray astronomical observations. As a result, three of the four dimensions of X-ray astronomy viz. photometry, imaging and spectroscopy are very well developed and fully mature subjects. However, the fourth dimension, namely polarimetry, so far has been almost untouched observationally. There has been only one measurement of polarization in X-ray astronomy, which was carried out for Crab nebula about 30 years ago. The OSO-8 satellite carrying an X-ray polarimeter was launched by NASA in 1976 which measured ~19% polarization at 2.6 keV and 5.2 keV for the Crab nebula. The only other polarimeter ever launched onboard satellite Arial-5 and few earlier rocket and balloon-borne experiments did not result in successful measurement. The main reason for the lack of X-ray polarization measurements so far is their extremely photon hungry nature that severely limits the sensitivity of the instruments. This coupled with the limitations of the measurement techniques resulted in almost three decade void in X-ray polarization measurements. 
 
Polarization is a very important property of radiation from astrophysical sources. It carries unique information regarding the emission mechanism, physical conditions as well as emission geometry at the origin. Polarization measurements in X-rays can provide unique opportunity to study the behavior of matter and radiation under extreme magnetic fields and extreme gravitational fields. Unfortunately, over past two decades, when X-ray astronomy witnessed multiple order of magnitude improvement in temporal, spatial and spectral sensitivities, there is no (or very little) progress in the field of polarization measurements of astrophysical X-rays.
Recently, a proposal has been submitted to Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO) for a dedicated small satellite based experiment to carry out X-ray polarization measurement, which aims to provide the first X-ray polarization measurements since 1976.
 
The X-ray polarization measurements are very important because they provide two independent parameters i.e. degree and angle of polarization to constrain the physical model for the X-ray source. Such measurements can provide unique opportunity to study the behavior of matter and radiation under extreme magnetic and gravitational fields. Prime targets for X-ray polarimetric observations are neutron stars (isolated neutron stars as well as neutron stars in binary systems) where the X-ray polarization measurements can provide direct information of the intensity and geometry of the magnetic field.
 
Polarimetric observations of accreting Galactic Black Hole systems are also very interesting because they provide unique opportunity to test some of the predictions of general relativity which are inaccessible by any other means. Another set of interesting targets for polarization observations are the cosmic acceleration sites such as supernovae remnants and jets in Active Galactic Nuclei (AGN) or micro-quasars. Polarization observations of these sites will provide direct information about the geometry of the shocked sites as well as the structure and intensity of magnetic fields therein. 
 
The importance of X-ray polarimetric observations was realized for long time. There have been many reports on theoretical prediction of X-ray polarization from various types of X-ray sources even during early years of X-ray astronomy. Particularly in recent times, requirement of X-ray polarimetric observations has been strongly realized, mainly because, in various classes of X-ray sources, even the best spectroscopic or photometric observations cannot remove the degeneracy in the theoretical models. As a result, several groups worldwide have been attempting experiments which can provide the meaningful Xray polarimetric observations.
 
X-ray polarization measurements can give valuable insights about
 
  • The strength and the distribution of magnetic field in the sources
  • Geometric anisotropies in the sources
  • Their alignment with respect to the line of sight
  • The nature of the accelerator responsible for energizing the electrons taking part in radiation and scattering. 
Picture
Configuration of POLIX

POLIX
​
The X-ray polarimeter (POLIX) is a scientific payload currently being built at Raman Research Institute to detect polarized X-rays from celestial sources. It is the only Thomson X-ray polarimeter currently being built worldwide and has an energy range of 5-30 keV. The instrument is designed, developed and tested at the Raman Research Institute
POLIX is poised to be the first dedicated X-ray polarimeter mission in the world and to open a new window in high energy astrophysics by measuring X-ray polarization in about 50 bright X-ray sources, ahead of the NASA and ESA space mission proposals for launching X-ray polarimeters. The primary payload POLIX (Polarimeter Instrument in X-rays) will measure the polarimetry parameters (degree and angle of polarization) of astronomical sources in the medium X-ray energy of 5-30 keV photons.
POLIX is a Thomson X-ray polarimeter for. The instrument consists of a collimator, a scatterer and a set proportional counters to detect the scattered X-rays. This instrument will provide unprecedented opportunity to measure X-ray polarisation in the medium energy range in a large number of sources of different classes with a minimum detectable linear polarisation degree of 2-3%. The prime objects for observation with this instrument are the X-ray bright accretion powered neutron stars, accreting black holes in different spectral states, rotation powered pulsars, magnetars, and active galactic nuclei. This instrument will be a bridge between the soft X-ray polarimeters and the Compton polarimeters.

Picture
POLIX mechanical configuration including electronic package
Picture

Principle of operation
 
The instrument is based on anisotropic Thomson scattering of X-ray photons. X-rays from the source are made to undergo Thomson scattering and the intensity distribution of the scattered photons is measured as a function of azimuthal angle.  Polarised X-rays will produce an azimuthal modulation in the count rate as opposed to uniform azimuthal distribution of count rate for unpolarised X-rays. 

Picture
Structure of POLIX Detector

Instrument Configuration
 
The mechanical configuration of the polarimeter consists of X-ray detectors, placed on all sides of a scattering element. X-rays from cosmic sources are allowed to fall on this scatterer through a collimator which restricts the field of view of the instrument. The total configuration will be rotated about the viewing axis.
 
In order to compensate for inaccuracy in satellite pointing and to attain constant effective area, a collimator with a flat topped response is required. To minimize the effect of photoelectric absorption of photons in the scattering element, a low atomic mass scatterer (lithium/beryllium) is preferred.
 
POLIX consists of four independent detectors, each with its own front end and processing electronics. Localization of the X-ray photon in the detectors is carried out by the method of charge division in a set of resistive anode wires connected in series. The analog electronics of POLIX include high voltage generation and control for operation of the detectors, amplification of the charge pulses, threshold comparisons and digitization of the housekeeping parameters.
 
Electronics Engineering Group of RRI has carried out the design and development of both the analog and digital electronics systems for this instrument, meeting stringent requirements of a typical space mission. EEG has developed in-house a complete electronics system for (i) detector operation, (ii) pulse processing and digitization, (iii) on-board data handling, (iv) housekeeping, and (v) control
 
The digital electronics consists of anti-coincidence logic, digitation of the pulse amplitudes, data generation in multiple modes and combining of data from the four detectors.RRI- EEG has successfully developed a digital signal processing system for POLIX which is more complex than schemes used in other space experiments based on proportional counters. The telecommand and telemetry interface of the POLIX payload with the satellite bus is developed jointly with the Space Astronomy Group of ISRO.
 
The POLIX detectors are designed  and fabricated in collaboration with the MES and are wired and assembled in EEG. Each detector has about 400 wires of 25 and 50 micron diameters precisely wired and soldered onto a frame. EEG has developed expertise over several years, of making it reliable so that the large number of wires sustains satellite launch vibration and thermal cycling in space for several years

Picture
Collimator
Picture
Close-up view of Collimator


Rationale for choosing polarimeter design based on Thomson scattering
 
There are three basic techniques for measuring linear polarization of the X-ray photons, namely
Bragg reflection, Thomson scattering and photo-electron imaging. Bragg reflection is one of the oldest and clean techniques to measure polarization of X-rays. Both the X-ray polarimeters flown to space so far (onboard Arial-5 and OSO-8) were of this type. However, the major drawback of this technique is that it works only at discrete energies. This results in very low sensitivity. Photo-electron tracking is the latest technique for measuring polarization of X-rays. Very high resolution position sensitive X-ray detector required to image the photo-electron tracks (a few hundred microns in a gaseous medium) are becoming available only recently and have not been used so far in any space experiment. The main disadvantage of this technique, particularly in the context of the present ISRO announcement of opportunity is that they have very small collecting area. Therefore these detectors must be used with the X-ray focusing optics. This combination might provide the best sensitivity for X-ray polarization measurement. However, it requires a full fledge X-ray astronomy mission which is out of scope for the present opportunity. Therefore, adopted a pragmatic approach to limit the sensitivity goal and use the well established technique of X-ray polarization measurement based on Thomson scattering.
 
Though the most sensitive polarisation measurement devices are based on photoelectron track imaging, they require to be coupled with high throughput X-ray mirrors due to a small detector size. They also cover a softer energy range. The proposed scattering experiment is based on the well established technique of X-ray polarisation measurement using Thomson scattering which has moderate sensitivity over a relatively large bandwidth suited in the energy band of our interest. The experiment configuration consists of a central low Z (Lithium, Lithium Hydride or Beryllium) scatterer surrounded by xenon filled X-ray proportional counters as X-ray detectors which collects the scattered X-ray photons. The instrument is rotated along the viewing axis leading to the measurement of the the azimuthal distribution of the scattered X-ray photons which gives information on polarisation. The sensitivity of this experiment is dependent on a) collecting area b) scattering and detection efficiency c) detector background and d) modulation factor of the instrument.

Picture
jig for calibration of collimator of the x-ray polarimeter

Progress of POLIX during the years
​

2018
 
  • POLIX design report has been prepared and Preliminary Design Review (PDR) of POLIX was conducted successfully in ISRO in December 2017.
  • Finite element model and finite element analysis of POLIX payload have been carried out.
  • Several action items from the payload PDR have been completed.
  • An X-ray beam-line for calibration of the collimator has been installed and tested.
  • Collimator calibration has been initiated.
  • Significant progress made in design of the payload telecommand-telemetry electronics.
  • Significant progress made in identifying and procurement of components for flight electronics of POLIX.
  • Several wire frames have been fabricated for the Flight Model (FM) and wiring work for remaining units is ongoing.
  • Environmental (thermal and vacuum) tests have been carried out on one high voltage unit.
  • Space qualified electronics housing has been fabricated.
  • Design and development of a ground checkout system is in progress.
  • Software development for POLIX data reduction and analysis has been initiated.

Picture
Picture
Detector of Polix

2019
​

During 2018-19, significant progress has been made in making the Qualification Model of POLIX and fabrication of some of the Flight Model components of POLIX has been initiated. The MOU between RRI and ISRO for POLIX was revised and second phase of funding for POLIX was released to initiate the Flight Model of POLIX.
 
  • Preliminary Design Review (PDR) of the XPoSat Satellite including the POLIX payload was conducted successfully in ISRO in September 2018.
  • Design of all flight electronics cards has been completed.
  • Space qualified layout, layout review, and fabrication of the same have been initiated.
  • The mechanical design of POLIX has been revised with input from the preliminary design review.
  • Finite element modeling and analysis of the revised mechanical design of  POLIX have been completed and reviewed.
  • Fabrication of the FM mechanical elements of POLIX is in progress.
  • Preliminary collimator calibration has been carried out for angular response and off-axis response.
  • Ground checkout system for POLIX has been developed.
  • Significant progress has been made in software development for POLIX data reduction and analysis.

Picture
Engineering Model of POLIX detector at lab
Picture
POLIX detector system
Picture
POLIX detector undergoing vibration test on mechanical shaker

2020
​

During 2019-20, significant progress has been made towards completion of the Qualification Model (QM) and Flight Model (FM) of POLIX.
 
  • Fabrication of the QM baseplate, scatterer and shield was completed
  • Fabrication of the FM detector components, collimator, baseplate and most of the shield were completed.
  • The QM, including two working detector modules and all other mechanical components were assembled and subjected to vibration at qualification level. Following the vibration tests, some reworks of QM and FM detectors have been taken up.
  • The wiring work for four FM detectors has been carried out. Some further modifications are ongoing.
  • PCB design, space qualified layout, layout review, have been completed for all 14 types of PCBs of POLIX. Laboratory models of all 14 types have been made, populated, and tested with commercial components.
  • A total of 69 PCBs are being fabricated for QM and FM of POLIX.
  • All QM and FM PCBs for front end electronics, total 30 in number, have been fabricated and tested successfully.
  • Interface of the ground checkout system for POLIX has been tested with the PCBs.
  • Significant progress has been made in software development for POLIX data reduction and analysis.

Picture
POLIX payload detector inner view
Picture
Processing electronics of XPOSAT

XSPECT (X-ray Spectroscopy and Timing)
 
The XSPECT (X-ray Spectroscopy and Timing) payload will give spectroscopic information of soft X-rays. X-ray Polarimeter Satellite mission carrying Polarimetry in X-rays (POLIX) and X-ray Spectroscopy and Timing (XSPECT) experiments with their viewing angles aligned with each other. In the aftermath of India's first multi-wavelength astronomy mission, a small payload (XSPECT) is proposed to address complementary timing and spectroscopy at low-energy X-rays.
 
XSPECT provide unique opportunity to observe astrophysical sources for long durations to study their spectral and temporal variability in 0.8 to 15 keV X-ray band. The energy resolution of <200 eV @ 5.9keV and at -20°C and timing resolution of ~ 2 msec is planned.
 
The proposed detector achieves modest effective area without the use of focusing optics using the new large area Swept Charge Devices (SCDs; CCD-236) which are a variant of X-ray CCDs. SCDs permit fast readouts (10-100 kHz) and moderately good spectral resolution at the cost of a position sensitivity. These devices are unique in requiring very benign cooling requirement (uses only passive cooling) unlike traditional X-ray CCDs. XSPECT with a passive collimator of 1 deg × 1 deg field-of-view, is ideally suited to pursue soft x-ray timing studies, complementary to what LAXPC does at high energies on ASTROSAT while simultaneously providing good resolution spectrum in the 1-20 keV band. Key science objectives include understanding long-term behavior of x-ray sources through correlation of timing characteristics with spectral state changes and emission line variations. Alongside x-ray polarimeter, this can provide a near-complete system to address photon energy, timing and polarization simultaneously.
 
The instrument is under development and expected to be delivered in 2021.

Picture
X-ray SPECtroscopy and Timing (XSPECT) Payload
Picture
POLIX Specifications
Picture
Picture
Satellite Requirement
Picture
Proportional counter detector wiring
Picture
A fully wired wireframe
Picture
Pre-engineering model of POLIX signal processing electronics
Picture
The rotary stage with the detectors mounted for testing
Picture
POLIX Electronics
0 Comments

India Vs China Military balance – Air Defense- Part 4 Indian Radar Systems

4/15/2021

0 Comments

 

INDRA 1

The Indian Doppler Radar (INDRA) 2D radars were developed by India’s DRDO for the Army and Air Force. The INDRA-I is mobile surveillance radar for low level target detection. INDRA meets Air Defence requirements of the Air Force. It is transportable by Rail, Road and Air. The radar is housed in two wheeled vehicles.
Indra is operating in it can deploy for point and area defense or as gap filler for the air defense, especially against aircraft threat at very low altitudes. Indra uses a mechanically scanning doubly curved reflector antenna. It has high gain with fairly low sidelobes. The radiating element is a corrugated horn which supports dual polarization. The radar has an integrated Friend or Foe in the main antenna.
 
Indra 1 is a classical keyed on/off pulsed radar and is distributed on only two trucks. Indra II uses pulse compression and is distributed on three trucks. It is connected to an air defense network using computer systems via satellite, fiber optics and microwave links. INDRA is transportable by rail, road and air.
 
DRDO, along with private sector Indian industry, has developed upgrade packages for the existing Indra-1 (GRL-600). At least 30 INDRA 1 upgraded. All these radars can now function as 3-D solid-state digital radars.
Picture

INDRA 2

It is a variant of INDRA radar for ground controlled interception of targets. INDRA II is L Band low-flying detection radar that caters to the vital gap filling role in an air defense environment. It is a transportable and self-contained system with easy mobility and deployment features. The system consists mainly of an Antenna, Transmitter cabin and Display cabin mounted on three separate vehicles. The radar uses pulse compression for detection of low flying aircraft in heavy ground clutter with high range resolution and ECCM capabilities.
The system consists mainly of an Antenna, Transmitter cabin and Display cabin mounted on three separate vehicles. The radar uses pulse compression for detection of low flying aircraft in heavy ground clutter with high range resolution and ECCM capabilities. The radar has been produced by Bharat Electronics Limited and is used by Indian Air Force and Army. Seven INDRA-IIs have been ordered by the Indian Air Force.
 
Features
  • Fully coherent system
  • Frequency agility
  • Pulse compression
  • Advanced signal processing
  • Track while scan for 2-D tracking
  • Capability to handle 200 tracks
  • Association of primary and secondary targets
  • Full tracking capabilities for maneuvering targets
  • Multicolor PPI Raster Scan Display, presenting both MTI and Synthetic Video
  • Automatic target data transmission to a digital modem/networking of radars
  • Integral IFF
  • Ease of transportation and fast deployment
  • Deployment time of about 60 minutes
 
 
System characteristics
 
  •  Range up to 90 km (for small sized fighter aircraft)
  •  Height coverage 35m to 3000m subject to Radar horizon
  •  Probability of detection: 90% (Single scan)
  •  Probability of false alarm: 10E-6
  •  Track While Scan (TWS) for 2D tracking
  •  Capability to handle 200 tracks
  •  Association of primary and secondary targets
  •  Automatic target data transmission to a digital modem/networking of radars
  •  Deployment time of about 60 minutes
DRDO, along with private sector Indian industry, has developed upgrade packages for the Indra-2 (GRL-610) of the Indian Army. All these radars can now function as 3-D solid-state digital radars. At least seven INDRA 2 upgraded. 

Picture

Reporter Radar
 
This is an early warning, alerting and cueing system, including weapon control functions. It is specially designed to be highly mobile and easily transportable, by air as well as on the ground. This radar minimizes mutual interference of tasks of both air defenders and friendly air space users. The command and control capabilities of the RADAR in combination with an effective ground based air Defense provide maximum operational effectiveness with a safe, efficient and flexible use of the airspace.
Reporter radars are used as early warning system for Air Defense systems such as ZSU-23, L70 etc. Atulya Fire-Control-Radar will replace the Reporter radars.
 
Features
  • All weather day and night capability
  • 40 km range
  • Multiple target handling and engagement capability
  • Local threat evaluation and engagement calculations assist the commander's decision making process, and give effective local fire distribution.
  • Easy to operate, and hence low manning requirements and stress reduction under severe conditions
  • Highly mobile system, to be used in all kinds of terrain, with short into and out of action times (deployment/redeployment)
  • Clutter suppression
  • High resolution, which gives excellent target discrimination and allows accurate tracking

Picture

High Power Radar: THD-1955

India operates more than six High power THD 1955 3D long range surveillance Radars, can track targets nearly 1000 Kilometers, for stable and controlled watch IAF down powered the Radar to track targets upto some 400 kilometers. This radar, originally of French design, has been licence-built in India for a number of years. The radar has comprehensive ECM/ECCM capabilities and has no real detection altitude limitation. They are using E/F Band, though somewhat elderly, still has sterling performance characteristics. THD 1955 uses the S band for communication for faster refresh and data Transfer. The THD-1955 has a peak operating power of up to 20MW, though its normal operating power is usually 2MW.
The Indian Air Force has undertaken to upgrade these radars with digital signal processing and clutter removal techniques. The ADGES communication system is also being updated by the digitalization of the analogue links and back-up satellite and fibre-optic communications. It also upgraded for improved survivability in dense EMP and Electronic Jamming. The upgrades were done by French firm Thales.
​
THD 1955 are replaced / replacing by Medium Power Radars. 

Picture

Flycatcher radar
 
Flycatcher is weapon control radar for air defense fire control system for tanks, guns and missiles. It consists of two radars providing the acquisition and tracking element.
The search antenna is of slotted waveguide type with a length of 1.5 m. It is deployed co-axially with the parabolic dish antenna in the Flycatcher system. The tracking radar antenna is situated center/front turret while the search radar antenna is mounted rear/top turret. Both antennas uses its own receiver. The transmitter of the search radar is operating in I-Band and uses a magnetron. In some versions this one transmitter provides also the tracking radar. In other versions the tracking radar uses its own transmitter operating in K-Band.TV tracking is an integral part of the Flycatcher system. This camera uses an optical zoom of 30 - 300 mm. Flycatcher has a range of 20Km.
 
The Indian Defence Ministry floated a global RFP for the purchase of 66 Successor of Flycatcher and USFM radars in April 2008. In 2017 India inked the Rs 4,577 crore deal with Israeli Aerospace Industries for 66 fire control radars, with maintenance transfer of technology. This 3-D surveillance and tracking radars are intended to replace the aging Flycatcher radar systems present with the Army’s Air Defence Corps. However, the delivery was delayed because the Indian Ministry of Defense continued to pursue an even cheaper option for the program. As per tender norms, IAI will discharge 30 percent of the contract value as offsets to Indian companies.

Most probably it was ELM-2026B which India selected to replace flycatcher. ELM 2026B is a highly accurate 3D Tactical Air Defense Radar that detects and tracks airborne targets, including: low RCS drones and UAVs, helicopters and fighter aircraft. The radar operates in X-Band and employs solid-state Active Electronically Scanning Array (AESA) technology. The radar is dual mode providing air surveillance and tracking with precise range, azimuth and elevation angles for anti-aircraft guns fire control. The radar employs multi-beam elevation coverage through Digital Beam Forming (DBF) and 360° azimuth coverage by antenna rotation.

This radar is most probably part of ADFCR (See ADFCR & ELM 2026 B Section)
​
India produced 120 flycatcher radar under license. 

Picture

Super Fledermaus FCR
​

The Super Fledermaus, is a pulse-radar fire control system which comprises a towed trailer, a Doppler radar in the E / F-band with a range of 15 kilometers and a pulse Doppler Rader in the J band, again with a 15 kilometer range. India used Super Fledermaus radar, in 35mm air defence batteries and designed to detect low-flying objects, such as unmanned air vehicles (UAVs). The digital system contains a built-in simulator as well as a signal jammer. The radar was acquired in the early 1980s and produced by BEL under license from the radar's designer, Ericsson Radar Electronics of Sweden. Upgraded by BEL in 2001(USFM-Upgraded Super Fledermaus), the Super Fledermaus now features highly capable tracking radar with significant capability against difficult, low-flying targets such as cruise missiles. The upgraded radar has a range of 56 miles (90 km) and is fitted with a new digital fire control computer.
These systems were replaced /Replacing by Atulya Air Defense Fire Control Radar.

Picture

ADTCR

ADTCR is the Army version of the Indian Air Force’s (IAF) Ashwini LLTR. It is a S band fully distributed active phased array radar mounted on a 8x8 HMV and is meant to be used for volumetric surveillance, detection, tracking and friend/foe identification of aerial targets of different types, and transmission of prioritized target data to multiple command posts/ weapon systems. It has fully automated surveillance and tracking capability. The radar is capable of detecting very small targets and low flying targets. The system employs Active Phased Array Technology with Digital Beam Forming, distributed Digital Receivers and IFF Mark XII.

The Radar System, power and cooling systems, operator shelter, communication equipment etc is configured on 2 8x8 High Mobility Vehicles. The Radar can be deployed in plain lands, deserts and in the mountain regions for the purpose of tactical early warning for Ground based Weapon Systems. High altitude deployment at up to 4500m. It is road, rail and air transportable.
​
Range              : 90 km (1 m2)
Altitude            : 10 km
No of tracks     : 100

Picture

ADFCR (Atulya)

Air Defense Fire Control Radar (ADFCR) in conjunction with Anti Aircraft Artillery forms a Ground Based Air Defense system whose main purpose is effective point defense against air threats at short and very short ranges during day and night under all weather conditions and in the presence of heavy enemy jamming (ECM).

The system comprises of

1. X-Band Active Array Antenna based 3D Search Radar
2. Ka Band Tracking Radar
3. Electro Optical Sensors for passive 2D tracking and LRF for Radar independent ranging

All the above and including the Gun Control Unit, Power Generator, and a suitably equipped Commander's cabin is mounted on a single High Mobility Vehicle.
X band search radar Detection range 40 km for 1 m2 target, 20 km for 0.1 m2 targets, Altitude 30 m to 10 km. Ka band track radar Detection range 20 km for 1m2 targets, 10 km for 0.1 m2 targets. EO system: TV/TI camera 12/10 km for fighters/helicopters, LRF 12 km.
The system is capable of controlling more than two AAA guns simultaneously. Operational altitude 10000 feet.
The ADFCR is able to transmit data to MANPADs in a range of 8km over line and radio. The entire system is mounted on a single trailer in a modular configuration with its own captive power supply. The system can self-sustain for up to 8 hours. A NBC air-conditioned shelter is provided for the personnel as well as electronics.

Key features:
  • Surveillance and tracking of aerial & sea targets
  • Passive Tracking by EO system & LRF
  • Trailer mounted and hauled by a prime mover
  • Retractable Antenna for transportation
  • Threat Evaluation & Weapon Assignment
  • Computing control and firing from two guns
  • Automatic levelling arrangement with accuracy better than spatial angle of ± 0.5º
  • Gun Simulator & Target simulator for both Surveillance & Track Radar for operator training
  • Transmit 3D target data to remote firing posts (>8 km) over line and radio
  • Provision to accept & compensate MET & muzzle velocity data
  • Recording of 4 hours of time tagged computer activities
  • North finder with GPS

Picture

3D Surveillance Radar – Rohini
 
Rohini is state-of-art radar designed to effectively play the role of medium range surveillance radar. It is mounted on a mobile platform. The radar operates in S-band. It can track targets up to a range more than 180 km and is capable of detecting low-altitude targets, and also supersonic aircraft flying at over Mach 3 speed, even under hostile EW operational environment.
The radar scans the air space 360° in azimuth and 30° in elevation up to 18 km height. Rohini uses a passive phased-array antenna providing seven stacked pencil beams to discern the height of the target accurately. It consists of 32 rows of each 48 radiating elements distributed in four segments. On top of the primary radar antenna there is a Mode-S compatible IFF antenna. It is capable of handling multiple targets simultaneously and also precisely calculate the height at which projectiles are flying
The radar features digital receiver, programmable signal processor providing high resolution, accuracy, response and information availability. The radar is packaged on two high mobility TATRA vehicles to meet operational and battlefield mobility requirements, one for the antenna and radar electronic (Radar Sensor Vehicle, RSV), one for a shelter containing the operator consoles (Data Center Vehicle, DCV) and supported by an auxiliary mobile power unit (125 kVA), it enables the Rohini to be easily transported to the battlefront. The radar can be deployed and decamped in less than 30 minutes.
The radar employs an array of Electronic Counter Counter Measure (ECCM) features including frequency agility and jammer analysis. A Secondary Surveillance Radar, IFF, is integrated with the primary radar Rohini, which distinguishes friendly and hostile aircraft.
 
During the course of development and trials of the ‘Rohini’, the IAF had placed two supply orders (in March 2006 and July 2009, respectively) with BEL for the manufacture and supply of 37 ‘Rohini’ 3-D CARs, while the Army has since ordered 14. About 100 Rohini radars are expected to be built, with around 20 radars being manufactured every year.
 
Features
  • 3D State of the art medium Range Surveillance Radar.
  • TWS of airborne Targets upto 150 Kms.
  • ECCM features - side-lobe blanking, frequency agility and jammer analysis.
  • Integrated IFF Mk XI with extractor & co-mounted antenna.
  • Configured as three mobile units mounted on three vehicles.
  • Fully automated and controlled from Radar Console with user friendly GUI.
  • Dedicated on-line BITE facility.
  • Data remoting of Tracks and plots over LAN to remote stations.
  • Data remoting of Digital data Link to remote data center.
  • Range-180Km
  • Clutter/ Weather/ECM video maps
  • Jamming analysis & Presentation
  • Cross Country Mobility
  • High altitude deployability
  • Transportable by Road, Rail and air
  • Can be deployed and decamped in less than 30Min
 
Variants

Naval Variant              : Revathy
Air force Variant         : Rohini
3D CAR                        : Akash Missile System

Picture

3D Tactical Control Radar (Indian Army)
 
The 3D Tactical Control Radar is state-of-art medium range Surveillance & Tracking radar designed to effectively play the role of medium range surveillance radar mounted on a mobile platform. The radar operates in S-band
3D TCR is stand-alone and can operate in all weather conditions. 3D TCR can detect and identify various aerial targets, and can transmit pertinent data to Target Data Receiver. The Radar is capable of Track While Scan of airborne targets up to 90Kms, with advanced technologies like digital receiver, programmable signal processor providing high resolution, accuracy, response and information availability.

Features
  • 3D State of the art medium Range Surveillance and Tracking Radar.
  • TWS of airborne Targets up to 90 Kms.
  • ECCM features - Side-lobe blanking, Frequency agility and Jammer analysis.
  • Integrated IFF Mk XI with extractor & co-mounted antenna.
  • Configured in two TATRA vehicles one for radar and second for power source.
  • Fully automated and controlled from Radar Console with user friendly GUI.
  • Dedicated and exhaustive on-line BITE facility.
  • Facility for training controllers, operators & technical crew.
  • Facility for automatic transmission of data to Target Data Receiver (co-located with weapon system) up to a distance of 20 Km from radar using optical line, wire line and secure VHF radio set.
  • Data remoting of Tracks and plots over LAN to external networks - up to 500 m.
  • Facility for Remote control and diagnostic testing of the system from a distance of 100 meters.
  • Range – 120Km

Picture

EL/M-2084 MPR (Arudhra)
 
IAF had imported EL/M-2084 MPR from Israel which is also known as Arudhra.  ELM-2084 is ground-based mobile 3D AESA multi-mission radar (MMR). ELM 2084 featuring an advanced 3D Active Electronically Steered Array (AESA) for Air Defense (AD) and Artillery Weapon Location (WLR) missions.
In the AD mode, the radar detects and classifies all types of airborne targets and generates a real-time Air Situation Picture (ASP). The WLR mode detects incoming mortars, artillery shells, and missiles and informs hostile weapon firing location as well as real-time calculation of impact point and friendly fire ranging. In addition, the Fire Control Radar (FCR) functionality enables control via uplink to anti-missile interception systems and Surface-to-Air (SAM) missile systems.

ELM 2084 is mobile allows it can be transported quickly based on possible infiltration area's, such as Deep valley's blind zones,etc. India uses the Israeli made EL/M 2084 Multi mode radar, which is medium, powered which works as Surveillance but can Guide the Interceptor missiles to the detected Threat. 2084 can work with surface to air missiles like SpyDer , MR-SAM and Barak 8, can guide those missile if it detects and identified it's a Hostile threat. It can also be assigned to eliminate Ballistic missile too. ELM 2084 and Indian made Arudhra MPR replacing the older TRS-2215 and PSM-33 radars. These radars are more difficult to detect, jam or target with anti-radiation missiles.
 
Detection range of up to 500 Km for Air Surveillance purposes or up to 100 km for Weapon Location purposes
Azimuth coverage of 120° or rotating 360° for Air Surveillance purposes or 120° for Weapon Location purposes
Elevation coverage of up to 50° & 100 kft for Air Surveillance purposes or up to 50° for Weapon Location purposes
High accuracy 3D measurement for Air Surveillance purposes or 0.3% CEP for Weapon Location purposes
Target capacity of up to 1100 targets for Air Surveillance purposes or 200 targets/min for Weapon Location purposes

Features
  • 3D Multi-beam Operation by Active Electronically Steered Array (AESA)
  • Dual Operation Modes, WLR and Air Defence
  • Scalable to several sizes/configurations
  • High Mobility and Fast Deployment
  • Air Transportable (by C-130)
  • Remote Operation
  • Integrated Network Operations
  • Advanced ECCM Capabilities
  • Advanced Emitters Signal Processing
  • Graceful Degradation and Very High Availability
 
Performance
  • Detection of Mortars, Cannons, Rockets and Missiles
  • Hostile Weapon Location
  • Calculation of Impact Points
  • Friendly Fire Ranging
  • Detection and Classification of all types of airborne targets
  • Fast update rate for tracking of maneuvering targets
  • Generation of Real-Time Air Situation Picture
  • Controling of Anti-Missile Interception Systems
  • Controlling of Air Traffic control according to ICAO standards
 
ELM-2248 MF-STAR: - is believed to be a variant of ELM 2084(need confirmation), made up of four MMR modules mounted around a pyramid shaped mast. The radar provides full 360º coverage for air surveillance, hostile weapons locating and fire guidance capabilities for naval platforms. The ELM-2248 is in service in the Israeli and Indian navies. The ELM-2248 is the fire control radar for the Barak 8 system.

​
Picture
Picture
Picture

Medium Power Radar – Arudhra( Anirudha?)

Arudhra, is a state-of-the-art radar, with 4D rotating phased array radar. It can automatically detect and track targets ranging from fighter aircrafts to ballistic missiles to slow moving targets. It can either be stable & stare or be rotated for 360° coverage. In rotation mode, the antenna rotates at 7.5 / 15 rpm with surveillance coverage of 360° in azimuth and 30° in elevation. In staring mode of operation the antenna stares in specified azimuth with surveillance coverage of ±60° in azimuth and 30° in elevation.
 
The system has an instrumented range of 400 Km and is able to detect 2sqm RCS targets as far as 300 Km in range with the altitude coverage from 100 meters to 30 Kms. Arudhra will Replace the existing radars like PSM-33 radars, P-40 and TRS-2215 radars, which had completed their service life of 20 years.
 
For More visit: - http://fullafterburner.weebly.com/next-gen-weapons/drdobel-arudhra-medium-power-radar-the-sacred-wave

Picture

DRDO HIGH POWER RADAR (HPR) (Under Development)

The HPR is Active Aperture Phased Array radar based on solid state Transrecieve Modules. It will have 4 large fixed radar panels and one rotating IFF antenna. Additionally necessary SATCOM and communication antennas will be installed to enable network centric operations.

The Active Phased Array technology allows electronic scanning in azimuth as well as elevation. These radars have non-rotating design with planar arrays and provide 360 degree coverage without the requirement of mechanical rotation. There is seamless transition of tracks from one planar array to another planar array.
The HPR is able to detect targets of 2m2 RCS at a distance of more than 450 km. The radar will classify targets automatically and it has organic ECCM features. It is able to resolve targets in four dimensions (4D) namely Range, Azimuth, Height and Doppler Velocity.

The radar is equipped with ICAO & STANAG 4193 compliant IFF (interrogator friend or foe) system with provisions to operate independent of primary radar. The radar will be installed and integrated at high altitudes deployment sites. It is capable of being sited up to an altitude of 3000m Above Mean Sea Level. It can withstand severe environment conditions and will also be integrated to the IACCS Network of IAF.

Sanction was given for initial 12 HPR radars in order to develop the same for providing long range, medium and high altitude cover while detecting and tracking low and high speed airborne targets. The radars will have the capability to scan 360 degrees without mechanical rotation of antenna and will operate on 24X7 basis with minimal maintenance requirements.

These HPR radar site's will also have associated self defense systems both passive and active in order to combat threats from PGMs, LGBs, cruise missiles etc

Picture

Low Level Light Weight Radars - LLLWR)

These are gap fillers which provide coverage in difficult terrains where MPR might get masked.

Bharani MK-1 LLWR             
  
2D LLWR is a light weight battery powered compact sensor which provides 2D surveillance in mountainous terrain against hostile aerial targets like UAVs, RPVs, Helicopters and fixed wing aircraft flying at low and medium altitudes.
 
It will act as an early warner to air defense weapon systems employed to provide protection to vulnerable areas or vulnerable points. The radar detects and tracks short-range with a high probability of detection. The radar has an integrated IFF that can detect confirm, classify and attain IFF status on every target in the battle space under surveillance. The radar has an integral GPS and it supports display tracks over tactical map overlay.
 
Bharani can track up to 100 airborne targets. Bharanis meant to be used in conjunction with VSHORADS/MANPADS. Bharani are man-portable & can also be broken down into components for transportation by Yaks. Bharani can even be mounted on ATVs if needed.

Features
  • L-Band 2D Surveillance of aerial targets flying at low and medium altitudes.
  • Automatic detection and tracking of: Fixed wing aircrafts, Helicopter &UAVs
  • Range-50Km
  • Easy transportation by men, light vehicles and under-slung by helicopter.
  • Detection of hovering Helicopters.
  • Target designation and distribution to Weapon Sites and Command Centre.
  • Integrated IFF.
  • Highly modular for quick setup.
  • Remote operation and radar display through the Commander's Display Unit (CDU).
  • Separation of CDU from sensor head: 750 m.
 
Variants

Army variant
Air force Variant

Picture

Bharani MK2
​

Bharani Mk.2 was envisaged as a 3-D surveillance radar with better low-altitude target detection capability and improved operational and performance characteristics. In April 2013 the Board of Directors of BEL approved a proposal to develop one prototype of Bharani Mk.2 having features similar to the IAF’s S-band Aslesha LLLWR, the Probable Date of Completion of design and development was October 2014. However, progress in the project was delayed due to finalization of the design by the LRDE and subsequently conducting the Preliminary Design Review with the end-user and BEL. In September 2016 LRDE designated design agency, had proposed Bharani Mk.2 using semi-active phased-array technology in L-band. Current status of MK2 is unknown

Picture

Aslesha Radar

Low Level Light-Weight Radar (LLLWR) is an S-Band, 3D, light weight, battery powered and compact sensor which provides 3D surveillance. This radar is with multiple beams and electronic scanning capability in elevation and can be rapidly deployed in various terrains like mountain tops, deserts and even high rise buildings in urban areas to help carryout aerial surveillance at low and medium altitudes. The radar would provide for detection and tracking of all kinds of hostile aerial targets like fighter aircrafts, UAVs and helicopters. Aslesha, which weighs 250kg, uses low-probability-of-intercept frequencies to look out for terrain-hugging tactical UAVs over mountainous terrain out to 50km.
 
This radar detects and tracks heterogeneous air targets including helicopters, fighters and UAVs at low & medium altitudes. This semi-distributed active aperture radar uses advanced VLSI and high-speed digital technologies like high efficiency TRMs, DDS, digital receiver and programmable signal processor to provide 3D air space awareness with high accuracy, resolution and reliability. Aslesha are man-portable & can also be broken down into components for transportation by Yaks. Aslesha can even be mounted on ATVs if needed.
 
Features
  • Range- 50Km
  • Full 3D technology using multi Beam technology
  • Integrated IFF & Side lobe blanking
  • Easy transportation by men, light vehicles and under-slung by helicopter.
  • Remote operation and display through command and display unit.
  • S-Band 3D Surveillance of aerial targets flying at low and medium altitudes.
  • Automatic detection and tracking of:  fighter aircraft, helicopters, slow moving micro light aircrafts and UAVs
  • Detection of hovering Helicopters.
  • Low power consumption and mechanical ruggedness to operate in extreme climatic conditions.
  • Based on semi active array antenna using the state of art Transmit/ Receive Module (TRM) technology.
  • Highly modular for quick setup.
  • Robust EMI/EMC design and good testability/ maintainability features
  • Separation of CDU from sensor head: 750 m.

Picture

​Aslesha MK2
 
Aslesha MK2 is an upgraded version of Aslesha Mk1. We believe development of Aslesha MK2 was completed. Most probably this radar has AESA technology.  Details of this radar are not publically available. 

Picture

EL/M-2026B

India Acquired 36 EL/M 2026B LLLWR from Israel.  ELTA-supplied 15 EL/M-2026B X-band LLLWRs, balance 21 being acquired through indigenous development by the LRDE.
ELM-2026B is designed for detection and tracking of airborne targets, including a wide variety of low RCS and low flying targets such as fighter aircraft, ultra-lights and UAVs. It employs fifth generation of 3D Tactical Air Defense Radars featuring a lightweight transportable, X-Band, pulse-Doppler solid-state electronically scanned array. The radar also employs multi-beam elevation coverage through Digital Beam Forming (DBF) and 360° azimuth coverage by antenna rotation, providing accurate target measurements of velocity, range, azimuth and elevation angles target detection and tracking and support of surface-to-air missile weapon systems.
The ELM-2026B can be deployed as a local Air Defense system providing early warning and target track to surface-to-air weapon systems. Installation of the radar can be either fixed on the ground or tower, or transportable on a vehicle.

Specifications

Instrumental detection range: 25 km
Detection range (fighter aircraft): 15 km
Detected target velocity: 0 - 600 m/sec
Update Rate: 2 sec (30 rpm)
Range accuracy: 30 m
Azimuth accuracy: 0.3°
Elevation accuracy: 0.5°
Elevation coverage: 60°
Azimuth coverage: 360°
No. of tracked targets: 100 by TWS
Resolution:
  • Range: 60 m
  • Azimuth: 3.6°
  • Elevation: 7°
Frequency: X Band
Weight (antenna + pedestal): 75 kg (approx.)
Power consumption: 500 W (approx.)
Operating voltage: 28 Vdc (nominal)
 
Features  
  • Track While Scan of more than 100targets
  • 3D radar with azimuth coverage of 360°
  • Operated locally or by remote Command and Control system 
  • Standalone operation or integrated with additional Air-Defense radars
  • Integrated with IFF (option)
  • Ethernet LAN communication (wire or wireless)
  • High reliability-full solid-state design
  • Extensive ECCM capabilities
  • Digital Beam Forming (DBF)
  • Digital Pulse Compression
  • Digital Receivers
  • Embedded GPS 
  • Extensive BITE
  • Low power consumption

Picture

​GS-100 LLTRs

Indian Air Force (IAF) ordered 19 GS-100 Radars from Thales. Six of the 19 radars built at its Limours facility, southwest of Paris, the remaining 13 units Built by BEL in India. GS 100 (Ground Smarter 100) is operating in S-Band, mobile, modular and multifunctional sensor designed to track complex target manoeuvres at very low altitudes. It can be used as gap filler in very difficult terrain.
 
Each low level transportable radar system comprises the GS 100 radar, operational and communications shelters, an energy subsystem, mobility subsystem and quarters for personnel. The radars gave the Indian military the capability to spy up to 60 km into enemy airspace and are ideal for detecting intrusions over mountainous terrain.  It offers operational performance out to 180 km.
​
GS 100 radar is using Gallium Nitride based T/R modules. Gallium Nitride based T/R modules are smaller, lighter and consume less power compared to the alternatives.
Picture

LLTR Ashwini

The Indian Air Force (IAF) Ashwini is a Low Level Transportable Radar (LLTR) is a 4D, active array technology, multifunctional radar being developed to pinpoint with outstanding accuracy for highly maneuverable targets. It can work even under hostile EW operational environments.
Ashwini LLTR is capable of automatic detection and tracking of aerial targets ranging from fighter aircrafts to slow moving targets. In addition to the range, azimuth and height, the new radar provides the velocity vector of the incoming target (4D). The system has an instrumented range of 200 Km and is able to detect 2sqm RCS targets as far as 200 Km, 0.2sqm RCS targets as far as 50Km in range with the altitude coverage from 30 meters to 15Kms. The radar operates either in Staring or Rotation Mode. In rotation mode, the antenna rotates at 7.5 / 15 rpm with surveillance coverage of 360o in azimuth and 40o in elevation. In staring mode of operation the antenna stares in specified azimuth with surveillance coverage of ±60o in azimuth and 40o in elevation. The Radar is based on solid state active aperture phased array with Digital Beam Forming and has electronic scanning capability in both azimuth and elevation. The coverage is attained using wide transmit beam and multiple receive beams in both azimuth and elevation.
The following are the technologies established as part of ASHWINI radar and it has spin-off for all future similar class of radar projects of LRDE.
​
  • Rotating Active Phased Array
  • Time synchronization of multiple receivers
  • 2D Digital Beam-forming
  • DBF based active array calibration
  • Multi-Beam processing
  • Critical real-time software and firmware
  • Mechanical Packaging (Engineering, Thermal, etc.,) 

Picture

ST-68 'Tin Shield'
 
The ST-68/U is known by NATO as the Tin Shield radar and has a maximum range of some 217 miles (350km). It is optimised for the detection of low-flying aircraft and cruise missiles employing electronic countermeasures (ECM).
This radar station is a true 3 D-radar with a frequency scanning array. The ST-68 'Tin Shield' Radar equips mobile 'TRU's or Transportable Radar Units in the Indian Air Force. The ST-68/U has a maximum range of some 350 km with a peak power output of 1.23MW, operating in the S/E/F bands. it can be deployed or stowed in one hour, or two with the mast. The design uses a large paraboloid cylindrical section primary reflector and a linear element array deployed on a pair of booms to provide electronic beam steering in elevation from -20 to +30 degrees, the antenna can perform a full 360 degree sweep in 5 to 10 seconds. With a transmitter peak power rating cited between 1.23 MegaWatts and 350 kiloWatts, the manufacturer claims the ability to detect a 0.1 square metre RCS target at 300 ft above ground level out to 46 Km, and at medium to high altitudes to 175Km. Clutter rejection is claimed to exceed 48 dB, and the system can track 100 targets. An IFF system is integrated in the radar.

Some of these radars are upgraded but details not Known.
Picture

P-40 Radar (MI)
One Signal Unit of the IAF still operates the 1963 vintage P-40(MI) Radar. This is tracked vehicle mounted 3D radar used for interception.
 
TRS-2215D

TRS 2215D is E/F-Band air defence 3-D radars, employing electronic phase scanning in elevation. The primary radar antenna is a direct radiation array of stacked linear subarrays fed by two vertical distributors used to form the sum and the elevation difference channels. Each linear subarray contains elementary sources radiating a circularly polarised wave. The two waveguides low monopulse operation to perform the height-finding function. Digital electronic phase shift networks inserted between the elementary feeds and the corresponding directive couplers control the pointing of the beams. The transmitter is an amplifying chain transmitter using a crossed field amplifier as its final tube. It permits the use of the pulse compression technique and that of pulse-to-pulse frequency agility. TRS 2215D has a Range of 510km.
 
PSM-33 MK2

India has been producing the French-designed TRS-2215D 3-D surveillance radar under license for a number of years and has derived from that indigenously built radar - PSM-33 Mk 2. The TRS-2215D and PSM-33 Mk.2 have surveillance ranges of up to 510km with a peak power output of 660-700kW operating in the E/F bands and possess a very significant ECCM capability.
Arudhra medium-power radar (MPR) replacing/replaced ageing TRS-2215 and PSM-33 radars on the inventory of IAF. 

Picture
PSM 33

Passive Radar
 
BEL in joint venture with Thales France developed and successfully demonstrated. Indian Air force installed these radars (Details and Numbers not Known). In addition to the Indian Air Force, the company is pursuing opportunities with prospective customers such as Cabinet Secretariat National Technical Research Organization etc.
 
Passive Radar uses transmitters of opportunity from commercial broadcasting to detect and track aerial targets in real time, as this radar technology does not emit any electromagnetic transmission hence completely undetectable. This is FM based Passive radar.
 
Features
 
  • Instant 360 degree detection capacity, 60 degree elevation coverage.
  • Particularly efficient for detection of small targets, at low altitude and low speed
  • Able to deliver an alert in case of drone/UAV intrusion in a protected area.
  • Using opportunity illuminators provided by FM and DVB-T transmitters.
  • Fusion of signal detections from FM & DVB-T transmitters.
  • Enhanced coverage and tracking performance through radar stations networking.
  • Modular deployment: capacity to be deployed in standalone mode or integrated in a wide system, fixed or transportable solution.
  • Green radar safe for people and for the environment.
 
Key Features 
 
  • Silent radar (No transmission)
  • All weather 24/7 radar
  • VHF/UHF digital radar
  • Instantaneous 360° coverage - 60° elevation coverage
  • High data renewal rate enabling short reaction time and fast track acquisition
  • Automatic real time tracking
  • Efficient Doppler processing
  • Anti-stealth (multi-static, low frequencies)
  • Interoperability with command and control systems through Asterix protocol

Picture
Picture

Long Range Radars

India developed and deployed several long range radars. Information about these radars almost nill.

Sword Fish Radar (LRTR)
​

Swordfish is an Indian Long range tracking radar specifically developed to counter ballistic missile threat. It is a part of India’s ballistic missile program.
Swordfish is a derivative of the Israeli Green Pine long range radar. However, it differs from the Israeli system as it employs Indian Transmit Receive modules; signal processing, computers and power supplies. It is also more powerful than the base Green Pine system and was developed to meet India’s specific BMD needs. India had acquired and deployed two Green Pine radars around July 2002 and another one in August 2005.
 
Swordfish is a Target acquisition and fire control radar for the BMD system which is able to track and detect missile launches 600-800 km from its radar site. It was installed near Indian borders.

Picture
GreenPine Radar

LRTR-2

LRTR-2 is an upgraded variant of LRTR and its come under the aegis of IAF. Long Range Tracking Radar can detect 0.1 m RCS targets at 1500 Km. A typical warhead of Chinese DF 17 has an RCS of 0.6m2(Calculated using Software’s) that means LRTR can easily detect and can intercept any Chinese SRBM , MRBM warheads.
At least two LRTR-2 Radar systems have successfully been tested in real-world conditions where LRTR has initiated successful auto launches of Interceptor missiles towards its target. The land is been identified in the Eastern sector for the Radar deployment as well so Ballistic Missile Defense can extend coverage to both sides for possible coordinated and simultaneous missile attacks.
Some experts believes , with long wavelength LRTR-2 can spot the re-entry vehicles as they rise above the horizon (while they are still 5,000km or six minutes away) and provide range, velocity and angular discrimination of the targets(Need Confirmation).


LRTR-3
​

LRTR-3 is further upgraded version of LRTR-2. LRTR 3 has 2500+km range.
 
Very Long Range Tracking Radar (VLRTR)

VLRTR is the successor of LRTR series of radars. Very Long Range Tracking Radar VLRTR has a range of more than 3000 KM. Very Long Range Tracking Radar may be Using GaN based TRMs.
VLRTR is used for Missile Monitoring System for detection of space borne threats in aid of Ballistic Missile Defence. The first Very Long Range Tracking Radar (VLRTR) became operational in 2017 following government approving induction of two new units of VLRTR under MoU between NTRO and IAF for realizing Missile Monitoring System to detect space-borne threats in aid of Ballistic Missile Defence (BMD).
 
May be LRTR-3 and VLRTR are same thing, may be different versions which we can’t confirm now.  

Over The Horizon Radar
​

DRDO working on over-the-horizon radar but the details are not known. BEL and Thales working jointly on over the horizon radar. According to unconfirmed reports India also operating over the horizon radar acquired from foreign country. Indian navy want its own OTHR facility as part of its project Varsha. 


Picture

Ground Based Long Range Early Warning Radar

Few years back in an interview DRDO chairman said about development of very large radar which probably have more than 100 meters length, probably it would be the Ground Based Long Range Early Warning Radar similar to US & Chinese early warning radars. We are not sure about the development of Ground Based Long Range Early Warning Radar may be it’s just a wrong assumption from our part. India is more interested in mobile long range radar systems. Most of the Indian radars are easily transportable.


Integrated air command, control and communications system (IACCCS)

With one of the largest segments of airspace in the Asia-Pacific region, the Indian Air Force relies upon the Integrated Air Command and Control System (IACCS) to safeguard the country’s skies. The Integrated Air Command and Control Systems (IACCS) is a significant step taken by the IAF towards Net Centric Warfare.
​
The primary objective of IACCS is to integrate and present air situation derived from different types of sensors viz the IAF, army, navy, civil radars, AWACS/ AEW aircraft and mobile observation posts (MOPs). IACC S has been designed as a robust, survivable network-centric C4I3 infrastructure that will receive direct real-time feeds from existing space-based overhead reconnaissance satellites, data from the air bases, civil agencies received through air force movement cell/ATCs ground-based and aerostat-mounted ballistic missile early warning radars and high-altitude-long-endurance unmanned aerial vehicles, and manned airborne early warning & control (AEW & C) platforms. IACCS even have intelligence inputs – live videos from the Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) and images from AWACS are transferred seamlessly to present a comprehensive air picture at the IAF’s central locations. The combined air situation picture is made available at several central places at strategic (Air HQ), operational (Command HQ) and tactical level (Field Level) for appropriate decision taking. The IACCS facilitates real-time transport of images, data and voice, amongst satellites, aircraft and ground stations. The IACCCS will also coordinate the early warning and response aspects of a layered, ground-based, two-tier ballistic missile defense (BMD) network that is now at an advanced stage of development. This is done to ensure that any intrusion by airborne object viz; hostile aircraft, helicopter, drone or micro-light, balloon etc. can be detected and tackled as soon as it takes place.
IACCS is completely a homegrown project. It is indigenously developed and designed by Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL) and is supported by air defense stalwarts who shared their domain knowledge during its development. The IACCCS—being established under a two-phase programme costing Rs16, 000 crore . In September 2015, The Indian Air Force has established 5 nodes of the IACCS in the western sector facing Pakistan at Barnala (Punjab), Wadsar (Gujarat), Aya Nagar (Delhi), Jodhpur (Rajasthan) and Ambala (Haryana). The system has since then been connected with vital AD nodes and has provided network-centric capability to the air defense forces in the Northern and Western sector along Pakistan and China border and steadily extending it to other vital areas for pan India coverage.
 
The 4 new major nodes and 10 new sub-nodes will come up under Phase-II of the IACCS project. While 3 nodes will be deployed in eastern, central and southern India, the fourth is meant for the strategically-located Andaman and Nicobar Islands archipelago in the Bay of Bengal, watching over Malacca Strait. IACCS was operationalized in Southern India in October 2019. In October 2019 the Bengaluru node of the Integrated Air Command and Control System was declared functional. The Bengaluru node exercises air defense control over the whole Southern Peninsula. In 2018, the Modi government sanctioned INR 8000 crore for the integration of the radars under IAF, the IN, the IA and civilian air traffic control to provide unified air surveillance and reconnaissance.
 
The Indian air force controls most of IACCS activities; the Integrated Space Cell envisages cooperation and coordination between the three services as well as civilian agencies dealing with space.  GSAT-7A of the Indian Air Force which is similar to Indian navy's GSAT-7 enables IAF to interlink different ground radar stations, ground airbase and Airborne early warning and control AWACS, airborne UAVs and surveillance aircraft. The IAF will also get another satellite GSAT-7C within couple of years which will further boost its network-centric operations.

The IACCS is currently undergoing a major enhancement led by Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL) with a $1.3 billion contract awarded to the company in early October 2015 and is expected to complete soon(Phase 2).  The expansion of the IACCS will also include the establishment of new radar posts near India’s border.

Picture
Picture
IACCCS Network Diagram

Network For Spectrum

Network For Spectrum (NFS) has been planned as an Exclusive Optical Fibre based ‘Nationwide Communication Network’ for Defence Services. This will be a Countrywide Secure, Multi service and Multi protocol Converged Next Generation Network based on Exclusive and Dedicated Tri-services Optical Transport Backbone.

NFS will be a “Next Generation Network” based on Highly Resilient and Virtualized IP/ MPLS backbone and Gigabit Optical Access Networks based on Fault Tolerant Carrier Ethernet transport technologies. The complete network will be controlled from Geo Redundant Central and Regional Network Operating Centres.
 
The Department of Telecom laid 57,515 kilometers of optical fibre cable connecting 219 Army stations, 33 Navy stations and 162 points for the Air Force. It set up an exclusive defence band and Defence Interest Zone along 100 km of the international border, where spectrum will be reserved only for use by the Armed Forces. AFNet is Indian Air Force component of Digital Information Grid under "Network for Spectrum" project and the AFNet is likely to be extended and connected to the Digital Information Grid Project under implementation for the Indian Navy and the Indian Army. The country is divided into seven regions to carry out the network for spectrum project. In May 2018 the Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA), chaired by the Prime Minister Narendra Modi has given its approval for enhancement of budget by Rs 11,330 crore for NFS project.
 
 
Air Force Network
 
Air Force Network (AFNet) is an Indian Air Force (IAF) owned, operated and managed digital information grid. The fibre-optic network-based AFNet, replaced the IAF’s troposcatter-based communications network. Developed at a cost of Rs10.77 billion in collaboration with US-based Cisco Systems Inc, HCL Infosystems Ltd and Bharat Sanchar Nigam Ltd (BSNL), the AFNet incorporates the latest traffic transportation technology in form of internet protocol (IP) packets over the network using multi-protocol label switching (MPLS). A large voice-over-internet-protocol (VoIP) layer with stringent quality of service enforcement will facilitate robust, high quality voice, video and conferencing solutions. With these two critical elements IACCCS can plug in large number of new-generation ground-based radars , be it for airspace surveillance in search of airborne targets (like manned aircraft, ballistic and cruise missiles, attack helicopters and unmanned aerial vehicles), or coastal surveillance or ground surveillance.
 
Integrated Air Command and Control System (IACCS), an automated command and control system for Air Defence (AD) operations will ride the AFNet . AFNet prove to be an effective force multiplier for intelligence analysis, mission planning and control, post-mission feedback and related activities like maintenance, logistics and administration. A comprehensive design with multi-layer security precautions for “Defence in Depth” have been planned by incorporating encryption technologies, Intrusion Prevention Systems to ensure the resistance of the IT system against information manipulation and eavesdropping. The network is secured with a host of advanced state-of-the-art encryption technologies. It is designed for high reliability with redundancy built into the network design itself.

The AFNet is also expected to facilitate accelerated economic growth by providing radio frequency spectrum for telecommunication purposes. AFNET will be the largest Multi-protocol Label Switching (MPLS) network in the defence segment.

At the AFNet launch, the IAF showcased a practice interception of simulated enemy targets by a pair of Mig-29 fighter aircraft airborne from an advanced airbase in the Punjab sector using the gigabyte digital information grid. During the AFNet-assisted operations, the Indian fighter jets neutralised intruding targets in the western sector, which was played out live on the giant screens at the Air Force auditorium offering a glimpse of the harnessed potential of the system. Various other functionalities contributing towards Network Centric Warfare were also showcased. These consisted of facilitating video from Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV), pictures from an AWACS aircraft to the decision-makers on ground sitting hundreds of kilometres away, providing intelligence inputs from far-flung areas at central locations seamlessly. This was possible mainly with the robust networking platform provided by AFNet
 
AFNET 1.0: AFNET 1.0 forms the backbone for the overall ICT infrastructure of the IAF. The Indian Air Force (IAF) developed the AFNET 1.0 in 2010. AFNET 1.0 project lifecycle got completed in 2017, but the IAF opted for subsequent extension of support upto 2020.

AFNET 2.0: Owing to its future-ready architecture and high level of automation, AFNET 2.0 can be a game-changer. AFNET 2.0 will bolster the strength of the IAF on the following accounts:
  • Superior cybersecurity
  • Service-oriented architecture
  • Software-defined, converged network
  • Defence specific Applications like big data analytics, forensic analysis tools.

Air Defence Command

India’s first Air Defence Command will be operational by 2021 August 15. The Air Defence Command will be based out of Allahabad and will control air assets of the Indian Air Force (IAF), Army and Navy. It will be responsible for protecting military assets from airborne enemies and will be commanded by a three-star officer of the IAF.
Apart from theatre commands, India will get three or four integrated commands to secure the Pakistan and China fronts. Sources said there could be two theatre commands on the China front which in turn will report to a higher command.
​
On the Pakistan front, there will be one theatre command for Jammu and Kashmir which will include the Line of Control and the International Border. Theatre Commands are a long delayed step in reorganising India’s military and bringing jointness in the three services to increase efficiency. Essentially it is a compact unit that will control all military assets in a theatre of war and report to a single commander. General Bipin Rawat, India’s first Chief of Defence Staff, is mandated with wrapping up the project by the end of 2022.


​Conclusion
 
Both India and china have long range radars, advanced SAM systems and Integrated Air Defense System. India currently lacks long range SAM Systems, which is certainly a weak point in Indian air defense capability. Induction of S-400 and XR-SAM will make up for this weak link. China already inducted S-400 and indigenous HQ-9 and its variants. Even though that’s the case the effectiveness of long-range SAMs depends on the country where they are deployed and how that country uses them. Their ranges allow them to target key enemy assets, such as aerial refueling tankers and airborne early warning and control aircraft. 

Picture
Indian & Chinese SAMs
Picture
Indian & Chinese Radars

Modern long-range SAMs such as the S-400 are only as good as the context. A standalone SAM System can’t do much to counter a formidable enemy such as Chinese PLAAF & Rocket force. A full S-400 battalion only has around eight missile launchers, typically with four missiles each. 32 missiles are certainly enough to cause serious harm to a limited attack but if an S-400 battalion is acting in isolation or is not backed up by other modern air defenses, it likely doesn't have enough missiles to withstand a determined onslaught. SAM systems are most effective as part of an integrated air defense system (IADS).

Geographical factors affects heavily on a system's usefulness. Himalayan mountain region is one of the most unforgiving terrains on the planet. Mountainous features able to block the systems' sensors. A low-flying target can take advantage of geographical features and the curvature of the earth to avoid an interception.

China deployed a variety of Radars and SAM systems across Indian borders but the effectiveness of these systems are highly doubtful. Most of the Chinese radar in Indian border is fixed ground based radars which are vulnerable to Indian attack. On the other hand India developed a variety of radars exclusively for mountain regions which can transport by road, rail, air and even by men. These radars can easily deploy any mountain top within few hours. At the same time Chinese long range radars are almost sitting ducks in the mountainous regions which will face serious limitations in its capabilities, most of these radars are operating in Tibetan plateau. (We will upload a separate article on this). China also deployed surface-to-air missiles, including the HQ- 9 and HQ-22, close to the Indian border during the on-going skirmish and is still deployed there.   HQ-22 is one of the most capable China's air defense missile systems. HQ-22 has a range of up to 170 km and can reach targets at an altitude of up to 27 km. The effectiveness of these SAM systems is also doubtful mainly because of the terrain. China may be using these SAMs to protect their bases from Indian Air force attack. But with the terrain hugging capability India can give surprises to HQ-22 & HQ-9. One thing to note that is Indian SAM Systems such as MR-SAM is more capable than Chinese SAM Systems. Most of the Indian systems are tested and tested and proved in these mountain regions. This will certainly give India an edge over Chinese.

Another problem with the Chinese systems is its reliability. Even though these systems look formidable in paper but not that much capable in the battle field. As an example, according to some reports Pakistan who bought LY-80(HQ-16) air defense systems from china are not much happy with the performance of the system. It is facing issues with the maintenance and more importantly with the rough terrain of Kashmir.  Another example is the destruction of Chinese-made JY-27 radar of the Syrian Air Defense at Damascus airport. Which china claims to have stealth aircraft detecting capabilities up to 500 Km.

We are not saying that Chinese systems are not capable but in the mountainous Himalayan region the Chinese systems may fail, while the Indian systems are testing in those mountain areas rigorously and making it perfect gives India an edge in air defense. 

Part -1 Chinese SAM Systems
PART-2 Chinese radar systems
part-3 Indian sam system's
0 Comments

India Vs China Military balance – Air Defense- Part 3 Indian SAM Systems

3/20/2021

0 Comments

 


AKASH

 
Akash is a very potent supersonic mobile multidirectional multi-target point/area air defense system. Akash has been designed and developed by DRDO and produced by Bharat Electronics Ltd (BEL) and Bharat Dynamics Ltd (BDL).
 
Akash can engage several air targets simultaneously using sophisticated multifunction phased array and surveillance radars in fully autonomous mode. Akash can engage several air threats like aircraft, helicopters and unmanned aerial vehicles. The seamless integration of hardware and software of various elements permits automated management of air defense functions such as programmable surveillance, target detection, target acquisition, tracking, identification, threat evaluation, prioritization, assignment and engagement.
 
Equipped with advanced electronic counter countermeasures features at various levels, Akash system provides secure communication links with other air defense command and control networks to handle the counter electronic warfare scenario. The missile system can target aircraft up to 30 km away, at altitudes up to 18,000 meters.
 
Akash have three sets of combat elements of weapon systems like Battery Level Radars, Battery Control Centres and Self-propelled Launchers were made on BMP-I, BMP-II and T-72 chassis with modifications on hulls suitable to fit the equipment, providing flexible deployment. An Akash battery comprises four 3D phased array radars and four launchers with three missiles each, all of which are interlinked. Each battery can track up to 64 targets and attack up to 12 of them.
 
Akash can carry conventional and nuclear warheads weighing up to 60kg. The integration of nuclear warhead allows the missile to destroy aircraft and warheads released from ballistic missiles. It can operate in all weather conditions. It can operate autonomously, and engage and neutralize different aerial targets simultaneously. The kill probability of the Akash is 88% for the first and 99% for the second missile on a target. The Akash can intercept from a range of 30km. A digital proximity fuse is coupled with a 60 kg pre-fragmented warhead, while the safety arming and detonation mechanism enables a controlled detonation sequence. A self-destruct device is also integrated. It is propelled by an Integrated Ramjet Rocket Engine. The use of a ramjet propulsion system enables sustained speeds without deceleration throughout its flight. Akash flies at supersonic speed; reaching around Mach 2.5.The Missile has command guidance in its entire flight (base variant).
Two batteries are deployed as a Squadron (Air Force), while up to four form an Akash Group (Army configuration). In both configurations, an extra Group Control Centre (GCC) is added, which acts as the Command and Control HQ of the Squadron or Group. Based on a single mobile platform, GCC establishes links with Battery Control Centers and conducts air defense operations in coordination with air defense set up in a zone of operations. For early warning, the GCC relies on the Central Acquisition Radar. However, individual batteries can also be deployed with the cheaper, 2-D BSR (Battery Surveillance Radar) with a range of over 100 km.

Akash has an advanced automated functioning capability. The 3D CAR automatically starts tracking targets at a distance of around 150 km providing early warning to the system and operators. The target track information is transferred to GCC. GCC automatically classifies the target. BSR starts tracking targets around a range of 100 km. This data is transferred to GCC. The GCC performs multi-radar tracking and carries out track correlation and data fusion. Target position information is sent to the BLR which uses this information to acquire the targets. Each Battery Level radar (Rajendra radar) able to guide eight missiles in total, with a maximum of two missiles per target. Up to a maximum of four targets can be engaged simultaneously by a typical battery with a single Rajendra if one (or two) missile is allotted per target.

The BCC which can engage target/targets from the selected list at the earliest point of time is assigned the target in real time by the GCC. The availability of missiles and the health of the missiles are also taken into consideration during this process. Fresh targets are assigned as and when intercepts with assigned targets are completed. There are a number of possibilities for deploying Akash weapon system in autonomous mode and in group mode for neutralizing the threat profiles with defined multi-target engagement scenarios. In the Group mode akash can have number of configurations to defend vulnerable areas depending upon nature and expected threat pattern, characteristics of threat. Similarly, multiple batteries in autonomous mode can be deployed to defend vulnerable areas/points. In a Group formation, the four Batteries can be deployed in various geometric formations, as suited to the vulnerable area being protected and the extent desired to be sanitized from enemy air threat. In a box deployment pattern, an Akash group can defend an area of 62 km x 62 km. In a linear array configuration, it covers an area of 98 km x 44 km. Trapezoidal configuration gives defense to the largest area as compared to any other pattern of deployment covering an area of size 5000 square km.
Communications between the various vehicles are a combination of wireless and wired links. The entire system is designed to be set up quickly and to be highly mobile for high survivability. The Akash system can be deployed by rail, road or air.

The Army's radar and launchers are based on the T-72 chassis built by the Ordnance Factories Board's Ordnance Factory Medak to accompany the Army's fast moving armoured formations. The Air Force versions use a combination of tracked and wheeled vehicle. The Air Force Akash launcher consists of a detachable trailer which is towed by an Ashok Leyland truck, and which can be positioned autonomously. The Air Force launcher is designed by Larsen & Toubro jointly with DRDO. Both the Army and Air Force launchers have three ready-to-fire Akash missiles each. The launchers can slew in both elevation and azimuth. The Army Self-Propelled Launcher (ASPL) is 360 degrees slewable and its arc in elevation is from 6 to 60 degrees. The Akash Air Force Launcher (AAFL) is 360 degree slewable, in elevation it can fire from 8 to 75 degrees in all directions depending on the mode of deployment. Akash Air force launcher features an all electro servo drive system for fully automated and remote operation. To enable the Akash group to perform self-sufficient in the combat zone, a number of supporting specialist vehicles have been designed and developed. They are mobile and field-worthy. Their design is based on the role and task to be performed and the vehicles are accordingly allocated to the Group HQ, the Batteries, Assembly Line Area and the Field maintenance workshop. Some of the vehicles are: the Missile Transportation Vehicle (MTV), the Transportation and Loading Vehicle (TLV), the Mobile Station for Missile Checkout (MSMC) Vehicle, the Air Compressor Vehicle (ACV), the Power Supply vehicles (GPSV, BPSV), the Engineering Support, Maintenance and Repair vehicles (GEM, BEM) and a few others. These specialist vehicles assemble and prepare missiles, deliver them to Batteries, carry maintenance spares and fuel, and provide logistical engineering support. Their allocation provides for flexibility and self-sufficiency to the whole Akash Group
 
Some of the indigenous technologies developed by DRDO during the programme are: integral ram rocket propulsion system, multifunction phased array radar system, multi beam 3D Surveillance radar system, C4I system hardware and software  for air defense application, command  guidance system, dual control digital autopilot and PN guidance, digitally coded radio proximity fuze, electrical servo drive system, frequency hopping communication system, switchable guidance antenna system, built-in ECCM features for guidance, digital coded guidance schemes for multiple missile tracking, end game techniques for maximizing effectiveness of kill.
 
Salient features
  
  • Mobile, multiple target engagement
  • Autonomous/centralized mode of operation
  • Secured wireless communication links; built-in ECCM
  • Target interception capability from a low altitude of 30 m to a high of altitude
  • 18 km and from slant ranges (3 km to 27 km)
  • High performance pre-fragmentation warhead
  • Digital radio proximity fuze coupled with five-level safety arming mechanism
  • Supersonic missile powered by solid integral ramjet rocket propulsion system  that maintains the speed of 2 Mach till intercept
  • Modular and mountable on wheeled truck or trailer or track mounted
  • Wider no escape zone due to high average velocity (27 km in 36 seconds)
  • High single shot kill probability (>88%)
Picture

Akash Radars
 
Battery Level Radar - Rajendra

Akash missile is guided by phased array fire control radar called 'Rajendra' which is termed as Battery Level Radar (BLR) with a tracking range of about 60 km. The tracking and missile guidance radar configuration consists of a slewable phased array antenna of more than 4000 elements, spectrally pure TWT transmitter, two stage superheterodyne correlation receiver for three channels, high speed digital signal processor, real time management computer and a powerful radar data processor. It can track 64 targets in range, azimuth and height and guide eight missiles simultaneously in ripple fire mode towards four targets. The radar has advanced ECCM features. The Rajendra derivative on a BMP-2 chassis and to be used by the Indian Air Force is known as the Battery Level Radar-II whereas that for the Army is based on a T-72 chassis and is known as the Battery Level Radar-III.
 
2-D BSR (Battery Surveillance Radar)
​

The Army version also consists of the Battery Surveillance Radar (BSR). BSR is a track vehicle based, long range sensor, interfaced with the BCC. It can detect and track up to 40 targets in range and azimuth up to a range of 100 km.

Picture
Rajendra Radar for Akash SR-SAM of Indian Air Force
Picture
2D BSR

3D CAR

Early warning in all modes is provided by the S-band CAR which can track while scan 150 targets simultaneously beyond a range of 200 kms and up to an altitude of 18 kms. The BSRs come into action for targets that are up to 100 kms away. The Akash missile itself of course employs a command guided missile with fire control being provided by the Rajendra III which can track 64 targets simultaneously while being able to guide up to 12 missiles at a time to engage 4 different targets. The Rajendra III which is in production is a slewable passive electronically scanned array (PESA) that has a tracking range of 60 km against fighter aircraft flying at medium altitudes.
​
Long range target acquisition is performed by the 3D Central Acquisition Radar (3D CAR), which is a long range surveillance radar that can track up to 200 targets in Track while Scan mode (detecting, tracking and processing) in three dimensions. It provides azimuth, range and height coordinates of targets to the Group Control Centre (GCC) through secure communication links. The data is used to cue the weapon control radar.

Picture
Variants

Akash-1S
 
Akash Mk-1S is an upgrade of existing Akash missile with indigenous seeker.  Akash Mk-1S is a surface-to -air missile, which can neutralize advanced aerial targets. There was demand from Indian Armed Forces for a missile with a seeker that can target inbound targets more accurately for which DRDO offered an upgraded Akash with an indigenous seeker named Akash-1S.

This variant of Akash has some additional features compared to the original once. Akash-1S missile has an indigenous seeker and can shoot down enemy fighter jets, missiles and drones very effectively and accurately at a range of up to 30 kilometers and at altitudes up to 18 km. Akash 1S can be fired from both tracked and wheeled platforms for greater mobility.

DRDO recently carried out back to back trials of Akash-1S with the new Ku-band Seeker which vastly improves Kill-probability.
 
Akash Prime

Akash Prime is believed to be a repackaged Akash Mk1S for high altitude warfare. Akash Prime has better performance than its predecessors. Radar of akash Prime is upgraded and tweaked for high altitude performance and autonomous tracking and launch system to deal with high altitude extreme climatic conditions. Electronic systems of Akash Prime had been hardened so that it can operate in extremely cold areas (-30 to -40).Akash prime has new Low-Temperature Batteries which have longer life in high altitude extremely cold areas. Ramjet and rocket propulsion of Akash prime customized and upgraded to perform better at high altitude where air is lighter.
Efforts are going on to make Akash Prime to further improve its performance at higher altitude. Two regiments of Akash Prime will make up around 480 launchers and close to 1500 missiles along with dozens of Rajendra radars, interlinked and controlled by the group control center (GCC).
 
Akash-NG

Akash NG is a highly advanced upgraded version of Akash. The development of the Akash-NG (Next Generation) was approved in September 2016. Akash-NG missile has a cylindrical body with four cropped delta fins at mid-body and four tail fins. Second stage air-breathing solid ramjet engine has been ditched in favor of lighter dual-pulse solid rocket motor. The new propulsion system will increase the range of the missile to 50km+ DRDO working on to improve the range further upto-70-90Km. Akash-NG has six major components- radome, indigenous AESA RF seeker, RF/Laser proximity fuse, pre-fragmented warhead, electromechanical actuation, and dual-pulse rocket motor. When the second pulse motor is fired, the Akash NG speeds up and no enemy aircraft can get away.
Akash-NG will have an improved reaction time and higher level of protection against saturation attacks. Akash NG has a truck mounted 3-D active electronically scanned array Multi-Function Radar (MFR) and optical proximity fuze.  The Addition of MFR will afford the Akash missile system capabilities it never had before. MFR will combine functions (search, track and fire control) of three different radars in one single unit. Akash NG is equipped with an AESA seeker (Ku-band ‘Netra’ active radar seeker and RF-based proximity fuze) which considerably improved the kill probability (more than 90 percentages) and effectiveness.

Akash-NG will fulfill Indian Air Force-specific requirement for a quick-reaction E-SHORADS that not only satisfied the IAF’s demand for a smaller deployment footprint area-wise, but also had a far-longer and cheaper service-life.
The Akash Missile itself has been re-engineered almost completely and has been brought down from the legacy Akash’s weight of 700 kg to a sleek 350 kg. That allows the Akash NG launchers to carry more than the three missiles that the legacy Akash launcher carried. Akash-NG has a canister based launch system on a road-mobile launcher for improved mobility.

The existing Akash-1 and Akash-1S missiles have to be stored separately in pressurized missile-containers and consequently have to be loaded and unloaded before and after use. This in turn reduced the service-life of the Akash-1 and Akash-1S missiles.

Flying at a supersonic speed Akash NG can handle multiple targets and destroy maneuvering and low RCS targets, including unmanned aerial vehicles, stealth fighter aircraft, cruise missiles and missiles launched from helicopters, and are capable of killing subsonic, supersonic and hypersonic targets (Upto Mach 7). Akash NG can also defend against tactical ballistic missiles and hypersonic cruise missiles (possibly Akash NG can intercept Chinese glide vehicles). The new Akash system can defend an area of at least 10 times better compared to any short-range SAM and is capable of engaging up to 10 targets near simultaneously.
Akash-NG due to better SSKP over its previous generation missile and due to advancement in the seeker and onboard electronics will achieve higher SSKP which will negate the use of Salvo firing mode which will cut down the cost of each kill.
​
Each Akash-NG Squadron will include the ADTCR acting as the medium-power radar (derived from the Arudhra MPR’s design), the BSR and the BMFR—an arrangement similar to that adopted for the QR-SAM. Command-control and fire-control systems of the Akash-NG would be almost identical to those of the QR-SAM.
The first test of Akash-NG conducted on 25-Jan-2021.  The Akash NG test validated the missile’s propulsion, aerodynamics and control systems, Two more series of tests will follow — first of its guidance system and seeker and then of its warhead. By the year-end, if all goes well, the Akash NG will be ready to enter manufacture. Indian army is likely to incorporate several features of the Akash NG into the older version which is recently ordered by the army.
Picture
Picture

QRSAM
 
Quick Reaction Surface-to-Air missiles (QRSAM) is a state-of-the-art air defense system which will significantly boost the defense capabilities of Indian armed forces. Quick Reaction Surface to Air Missile System (QRSAM) is a Short Range, all-weather, tracked-chassis, Quick Reaction Surface to Air Missile system designed to protect moving armored columns from aerial attacks. The entire weapon system is configured on highly mobile platforms and is capable of providing air defense on the move. The system is being developed for Indian Army with search and track on move capability with very short reaction time. QR-SAM will replace Indian Army Osa-AK and Kvadrat missile systems.

QR-SAM can engage all kinds of targets, including aircraft, hovering helicopters, missiles and low-flying targets, including those that suddenly appear at close range. The QRSAM's radar able to track while scanning out to 28 kilometers; provide 3-D, 360-degree coverage; recognize identification-friend-or-foe beacons; detect ballistic and cruise missiles; and guide four missiles to separate targets. The Mach 1.8 QR-SAM has a kill-zone of between 3km and 30km in range, from 30 metres to 6km in altitude, and 360-degree in azimuth. They are able to operate 24 hours a day, move 150 kilometers a day without refueling and have nuclear-biological-chemical protection. QR-SAM Missiles Laser proximity fuze along with its advanced radars ensures that missile can't be jammed.

The QRSAM weapon system, which operates on the move, comprises of fully automated Command and Control System, Active Array Battery Surveillance Radar, Active Array Battery Multifunction Radar and Launcher. Both radars are four-walled having 360-degree coverage with search on move and track on move capability. The system is compact with minimum number of vehicles for a firing unit. Single stage solid propelled missile has midcourse inertial navigation system with two-way data link and terminal active seeker developed by DRDO. It has a fully automated Command and Control System. QR SAM using mobile launcher & Canister. QR SAM has all Round Missile Firing Capability in elevation from 10 to 60° and Azimuth 360.

Truck based QRSAM Air Defense System can move at speed of 50kmph and has the ability to operate nearly 8 hours at a stretch without the need for refueling. High Mobility Vehicle (HMV) used are capable of being operated in plains, deserts, semi-deserts, terrains found in India and can also be transported through broad gauge rakes of Indian railways. HMV also has NBC (nuclear, biological, chemical) system installed which ensures reliable protection of the crew and internal equipment against mass destruction weapons. HMV also have a Navigation system and Night vision devices to help Driver and Commander to move in the dark and also in unfamiliar terrains.
 
A typical Indian Army QR-SAM Regiment will comprise a Regimental Command Post Vehicle (RCPV), one S-band 90km-range air-defense tactical control radar (ADTCR) for volumetric airspace surveillance, and three Batteries, each of which will include a Battery Command Post Vehicle (BCPV), a 120km-range C-band active phased-array Battery Surveillance Radar (BSR), and four Combat Groups (CG). Each CG in turn will comprise an X-band 80km-range active phased-array Battery Multi-Function Radar (BMFR), plus a 16km-range optronic fire-control system, and four Missile Launch Vehicles (MLV), each of which will carry six canister-encased missiles.
 
The IAF-specific variant of the QR-SAM will be employed exclusively for cruise missile defence (CMD), in particular against China’s ground-launched CJ-10/DF-10A and air-launched K/AKD-20 land-attack cruise missiles or LACM (all these being clones of the Ukrainian Korshun LACM that had been developed in the Nineties by Dnipropetrovsk-based Yuzhnoye State Design Bureau and Yuzhnoye Machine-Building Production Association, or Yuzhmash), and against the Babur (a DF-10A clone) and Ra’ad LACMs of Pakistan.
 
The missile can engage aircraft at 500m/s at 20 km and 300m/s at 30 km. The missile also has terminal guidance using an RF seeker. The system has AESA radar with X-band Quad Transmit Receiver Modules (QTMs), Two Way Data Link (TWDL) and IFF. The BSR and BMFR uses advanced motion compensation & electronic stabilization algorithms to along with high accuracy motion sensors.
 
The developmental trials of the weapon system are successfully completed and the weapon system is expected to be ready for induction by 2021. Amid tensions with China, existing units of system were deployed on eastern Ladakh border.
 
Features
  • Ability to fire a salvo of more than two missiles and simultaneously control/guide the salvo of missiles (12 missiles in 45 Seconds)
  • Ability to carry out surveillance and tracking while on the move and immediately fire the missile on halting
  • Capable of tracking targets at speeds of zero to 500 m/s at an altitude of more than 6 Km
  • Availability of ECCM facility to support operational EW environment
  • Capability to control two or more missiles simultaneously
  • Appropriate tracking range to ensure engagement of aerial targets at maximum range of missile
  • Equipment can move a distance of 150 Km cross country in a day with on board fuel tank and in addition be able to operate for eight hours in a day without refueling
  • Capable of transportation by rail on broad gauge rakes of Indian Railways
  • Capable of being operated in plains, deserts, semi-deserts terrain obtaining in India
  • Auxiliary or trailer/vehicle mounted external power supply system for training, undertaking repairs and maintenance
 
 
Capabilities
 
  • Firing on Short Intervals
  • Kill zone: 3Km to 30Km in range, 30 m to 6Km in altitude & 360 degree in azimuth
  • Multi target engagement capability : Capable of engaging aircrafts at 500m/s at 20Km and 300m/s at 30Km, Hovering Helicopters , UAVs etc
  • Max Range 30Km, with radar data link & terminal guidance using RF seeker
  • AESA radars with IFF: Surveillance radar ( up to 120Km ) & Fire control Radar(80 Km)
  • Configured on HMVs for Mobility in Cross Country terrains like plains, semi-Desert and Deserts
  • All weather operational capability
  • Look down / shoot down capability
  • Low manpower requirements

Picture

QRSAM Radars
 
A typical Indian Army QR-SAM Regiment will one S-band 90km-range air-defense tactical control radar (ADTCR) for volumetric airspace surveillance, and three Batteries, each of which will include a Battery Command Post Vehicle (BCPV), a 120km-range C-band active phased-array Battery Surveillance Radar (BSR), and four Combat Groups (CG). Each CG in turn will comprise an X-band 80km-range active phased-array Battery Multi-Function Radar (BMFR), plus a 16km-range optronic fire-control system.
 
Both BSR and BMFR using state of the art AESA technology combine with advanced signal processing and data processing algorithms to detect and track all kinds of threats in intense electronic environment. BSR & BMFR are believed to be based on GaN technology and using GaN QTRMs.  The BSR & BMFR use advanced platform motion compensation and electronic stabilization algorithms along with high accuracy motion sensors. Both radars are mounted on 8*8 High Mobility Vehicles and are capable of operating on the move in plains deserts and semi-deserts. The AESA radar panels of BSR & BMFR are blended on the vehicle body. There is very few systems have a blended configuration.  This kind of configuration helps in improved maintenance and better camouflaging.

Picture

​ADTCR
 
Air defense tactical control system is for volumetric surveillance, tracking and friend/foe identification of aerial targets of different types, and transmission of prioritized target data to multiple command posts/weapons systems. The S band radar can be deployed in plain lands, deserts and in the mountain regions for the purpose of tactical early warning for SAM systems. The system employs state of the art active phased array technology with Digital beam forming and distributed digital receivers. Whole radar system including redundant generators and operator shelter configured on two 8*8 high mobility Vehicles. ADTCR System is being developed using proven and established Radar technologies.
 
Features
 
  • Surveillance radar for Tactical control Purpose
  • Detection, identification of aerial Targets
  • Transmission of Data to multiple weapon systems/Command posts
  • Fully distributed active phased array radar
  • State of the art technology with Digital Beam forming
  • Digital Receivers and Advanced Signal & Data Processing
  • Operational in Plains, desert and mountainous terrain
  • Road, Rail Air transportable
  • Configured on 2 high Mobility Vehicles
  • High Altitude Deployment up to 4500m (15000ft)
  • Fully automated Surveillance and Tracking
  • Remote Operation over Ethernet
 
Capabilities
 
  • Detection Range         : 90Km (1m2), 60Km (0.1m2)
  • Target altitude             : 10km
  • Accuracy                     : Azimuth -0.2, elevation-2degree, Range -30m
  • Resolution                   : Azimuth - 2, elevation-6degree, Range -100m
  • Target Speed               : Min: Hovering Helicopter, Max- 800m/s
  • Antenna rotation         : 10, 20 or 30 RPM Selectable, Staring Mode
  • Azimuth Coverage      : 0 to 360 Degree with Rotation, 80 degree sector with scanning
  • Elevation Coverage     : 0 to 70Degree
  • Electronic Scanning    : +/- 40 degree Azimuth (Staring Mode) 0 to 70 Degree
  • Power System             : 100kVA*2DG sets for 24X7 operation
  • Number of Tracks       : 100

Picture

BMFR & BCR
 
BSR & BMFR uses the state of the art active phased array technology combined with advanced signal processing and data processing algorithms to detect and track fixed wing aircrafts including UAVs as well as Rotary wing aircrafts including hovering helicopters in intense EW environment.
 
The BSR & BMFR use advanced platform motion compensation and electronic stabilization algorithms along with high accuracy motion sensors. Both radars are mounted on8x8 high Mobility Vehicles and are capable of operating on the move in plains, deserts and semi-deserts.
 
The BMFR also includes a 2 axis Stabilized Electro-Optical Sight (SEOS) for the QR-SAM that can passively acquire targets up to 40-km away. The SEOS comprises of laser range finder, CCD camera, thermal imager and automatic video tracker.

Environmental Specifications
 
  • Operational Temperature        : -5C to +45C
  • Storage Temperature               : -30C to +70C
  • Shock, Vibration                     : JSS 55555
  • EMI/EMC                               : MIL-STD 461E
 
Features
 
BMFR
 
  • Frequency Band          : X
  • Range                          : 80Km for 2 M2
  • Angular coverage        : Az 360, EL 0 to 60
  • Target altitude             : 30m to 6 Km
  • Max Speed                  : 700m/s
 
BSR
 
  • Frequency Band          : C
  • Range                          : 120Km for 2 M2
  • Angular coverage        : Az 360, EL 0 to 60
  • Target altitude             : 30m to 6 Km
  • Max Speed                  : 700m/s

Picture
BMFR
Picture
BSR

MRSAM (Indian Army/Air force)

The Medium-Range Surface-to-Air Missile (MRSAM) is being developed by India's Defense Research and Development Organization (DRDO) in collaboration with Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI).
The MRSAM is an advanced path breaking air and missile defense system that provides ultimate protection against a variety of aerial platforms. The missile is designed to provide the armed forces with air defense capability against a variety of aerial threats at medium ranges. MRSAM is a land-based configuration of the long-range surface-to-air missile (LRSAM) or Barak-8 naval air defense system, which is designed to operate from naval vessels. MR-SAM features Mobile Container design for a Canister missile system probably a first time for an air defense system anywhere in the world.

MRSAM for Indian Army is designed not only to protect vital static Army installations but can also double up as a long-range Air defense system that can move with Strike formations deep inside enemy areas. QRSAM Air Defense system for Army will move with the forward Strike formations while the MRSAM due to its long-range Interception range will move little behind, but both missile system when deployed, will be able to talk to each other so that the best missile can be used to intercept a hostile target.

MRSAM Army version is more mobile as it moves away from Air force variants 18-Wheel Box Trailer Truck configuration to 10×2 Truck that has better mobility and offers better speed for faster movements. MRSAM 18-Wheel Box Trailer Truck configuration is designed to be installed at stationery valued military installations like airbase and radar stations so the movement of this missile system is not so important, while Army required much more mobile truck-based missile system that can be stationed and removed whenever required among civilian traffic.
Each MRSAM weapon system comprises one command and control system, one tracking radar, missiles, and mobile launcher systems. The mobile launcher is used to transport, emplace and launch up to eight canisterised missiles in two stacks. It can fire the missiles in single or ripple firing modes from the vertical firing position.
The combat management system simplifies the process of engaging a variety of threats. It identifies and tracks the threat using tracking radar. The system calculates the distance between the target and the launcher and then determines if the identified target is a friend or a foe. The target information is then transmitted to the mobile launcher.

MRSAM missile is equipped with an advanced active radar radio frequency (RF) seeker, advanced rotating phased array radar, and a bidirectional data link. The RF seeker can detect moving targets in all weather conditions.
The phased array radar provides a high-quality air situation picture, while the bidirectional data link is used for relaying midcourse guidance and target information to the missile.
The missile’s explosive warhead, featuring a self-destruct fuse, provides high-probability of kill against enemy targets with minimal collateral damage.
​
MRSAM  missile is powered by a dual-pulse solid propulsion system developed by DRDO. The propulsion system, coupled with a thrust vector control system, allows the missile to move at a maximum speed of Mach 2. The weapon has the ability to engage multiple targets simultaneously at ranges of 70km.
MR-SAM was handed over to the Indian Air Force (IAF) in August 2019. The Indian Air Force is committed to field at least 18 air defense batteries while the Indian Army has acquired a first group of the land-based MRSAM, along with the infrastructure of command, control, training and support facilities to support additional four groups in the future.

Picture

LR SAM /Barak 8 (Indian Navy)

Barak 8/Long Range SAM (“LR SAM”) is a high response quick reaction vertical launch supersonic missile to neutralize enemy aerial threats such as missiles, aircraft, guided bombs and helicopters.
Barak 8 is loosely based on the original Barak 1 missile. The radar system provides 360 degree coverage and the missiles can take down an incoming missile as close as 500 meters away from the ship.

Barak 8 has a length of about 4.5 meters, a diameter of 0.225 meters at missile body, and 0.54 meters at the booster stage, a wingspan of 0.94 meters and weighs 275 kg including a 60 kg warhead which detonates at proximity. The missile has maximum speed of Mach 2 with a maximum operational range of 70 km, which was later increased to 100 km. Barak 8 features a dual pulse rocket motor as well as Thrust vector control, and possesses high degrees of maneuverability at target interception range. A second motor is fired during the terminal phase, at which stage the active radar seeker is activated to home in on to the enemy track. Barak 8 has been designed to counter a wide variety of air-borne threats, such as; anti-ship missiles, aircraft, UAVs drones and supersonic missiles When coupled with a modern air-defence system and multi-function surveillance track and guidance radars, (such as the EL/M-2248 MF-STAR AESA on board the Kolkata-class destroyers) Barak 8 enables the capability to simultaneously engage multiple targets during saturation attacks.

Barak Interceptors has vertical launch capabilities supporting 360 coverage, quick reactions, short minimal ranges and an active high-end RF seeker for targets with low radar cross sections and high maneuverability.
The Indian Navy (IN) had carried out “co-operative engagement firing” trials using the Medium-range Surface-to Air-Missile (MRSAM) in May 2019. Kolkata-class guided-missile destroyers INS Kochi (D 64) and INS Chennai (D 65) were involved in the test-firing. The missiles of both ships were controlled by one ship to intercept different aerial targets at extended ranges. With the successful proving of this cooperative mode of engagement, the Indian Navy has become a part of a select group of Navies that have this niche capability. The capability significantly enhances the combat effectiveness of the Indian Navy thereby providing an operational edge over potential adversaries.
Indian Navy selected MRSAM for installation on 15 first line surface combatants. Three P15A (Kolkata Class) destroyers are already operationally protected by the system. Deliveries of MRSAM for four P15B as well as seven P17A destroyers are under progress, along with a system destined to protect the first indigenous aircraft carrier - the Vikrant. The system was also selected to protect the first line vessels of the Israeli Navy - the four new SAAR 6 Magen class vessels.
​
Features
  • Up to 70 km. range
  • Vertical launch 360° interceptions
  • Low launch signature
  • High maneuverability
  • Robust kill - Effective Warhead
  • Active radar seeker
  • Multiple simultaneous engagements
  • Fast and reliable target acquisition
  • High immunity to ECM
Technical Details
  • Range: 70km
  • Altitude: 20km
  • Maneuverability: 50g
  • Missiles per Launcher: 8
  • Dual Pulse Rocket Motor
  • Vertical Launch
  • Data Link between BMC and Missiles
  • All-weather
Capabilities
Any threat:
  • Fighters
  • Sea-Skimming and Cruise Missiles
  • TBMs
  • UAVs
  • Helicopters
  • Gliding Bombs
Any mission:
  • Point defense
  • Area defense
  • Ballistic Missile defense
Picture
INS Kochi firing LRSAM

We create these articles sparing time from our personal lives. It is difficult to make such content as it involves a lot of Background Research. We will continue to do so for a foreseeable future as we are planning to buy our own website domain. It is absolutely important that we should remain financially strong to bring such content. We request readers to contribute some amount for our cause.
Even a small amount of Rs. 20 as much as your daily street snack to whatever you wish is acceptable. You can contribute us by scanning the UPI QR Code. You can download the QR code picture and can upload in payment apps for contributing.
Picture

XR SAM

XR SAM is an under development very long range Surface to air missile system, by Hyderabad-based Defense Research and Development Laboratory (DRDL).Indian Air Force accepted the Configuration of XR-SAM.
XRSAM will bridge the gap between MR-SAM (70 km) and S-400 (400 km) Air Defense System. XRSAM will also come in Canister based transportable Truck based launcher system. The entire system shall be designed for transportability.

XR-SAM will use advanced spin-off technologies developed for Anti-Ballistic missile Defense system. XR-SAM probably a spin-off of the AAD-1 Endo-atmospheric interceptor with a service ceiling of 120 km and has supposedly Anti-Ballistic Missile features. XR-SAM may utilize the same network grid deployed for Anti-ballistic Missile Shield.
XR-SAM will complement the S-400 systems in their role and filling the need for a robust Multi-Layered Air Defense System. XR-SAM will be consisting of two slightly different surface to air missiles (Need Confirmation). One will have 250 km range another will have 400 km range.

XR-SAM will have active radar homing guidance and GaN (Gallium Nitride) based UHF radars. XR-SAM can simultaneously engage Aircraft, Cruise Missiles, Unmanned Drones and ballistic targets. XRSAM will also be able to engage stealth fighters and ballistic missile in the terminal stage, Sea Skimming Anti-Ship Missiles, AWACS, Bombers, Mid-Air-Refuellers.

Range against maneuvering aircrafts              : 250 km (fighters, stealth aircrafts, drones etc.)
Range against slow moving targets                : 350 km (AWACS, tankers, transport aircrafts etc.)
Range against AShMs, cruise missiles etc      : 250 km
Range against ballistic missiles                       : Terminal Stage
​
According to latest reports XRSAM has been prepared for ground trials and it is likely will enter trials phase soon.

Picture

VL-SRSAM

Vertical Launch – Short Range SAM is a next-generation, ship/Truck based, all-weather, SAM system under development. VL-SRSAM is meant for neutralizing various aerial threats at close ranges including sea-skimming targets. VL-SRSAM will be developed in two variants one for Air Force and another one for Indian Navy. The air force version will have high mobility Truck-mounted canister based VL-SRSAM and Navy will get Canister based VL-SRSAM for its front-line warships. DRDO already developed an 8×2 configuration Cell vertical launching system (VLS) Plug that can be installed in warships and also developed a Canister based launching system that can be mounted on Truck for the Air force version. VL-SRSAM, s Vertical Launch System can be retrofitted into a variety of naval platforms like frigates, Destroyers and offshore patrol vessels (OPV), etc. VL-SRSAM will replace the Barak-1 point defense interceptor which currently deployed in many Indian naval ships and can supplement SPYDER point defense system.

VL-SRSAM is believed to be a Ground launch version of the Astra beyond-visual-range air-to-air missile.  From the publicized images of VL-SRSAM it looks somewhat similar to earlier iterations of Astra BVR Missile. VL-SRSAM will have an Integrated Thrust vectoring Control for improved agility and will have a foldable wings and fins for storage inside Vertical Launch System.

VL-SRSAM can engage almost any kind of threats and will provide complete protection over 25Km including sea skimming anti ship missile. It is an all weather system which can operate both in day &night and covering 360 degree. VL-SRSAM will feature an active radar seeker.
​
DRDO conducted two successful launches of VL-SRSAM on 22-Feb-2021. 
The launches were carried out from a static vertical launcher from Integrated Test Range (ITR), Chandipur off the coast of Odisha. The launches were carried out for demonstration of vertical launch capability as part of its maiden launch campaign. On both occasions, the missiles intercepted the simulated targets with pinpoint accuracy. The missiles were tested for minimum and maximum range. VL-SRSAM with Weapon Control System (WCS) was deployed during the trials. 
The trials have proved the effectiveness of the weapon system and few more trials will be conducted shortly before deployment on Indian Naval ships. Once deployed, the VL-SRSAM system will prove to be a force multiplier for the Indian Navy. 

Picture

S-400

In October 2018, India had signed a $5 billion deal with Russia to buy five units of the S-400 air defense missile systems. Initially, it was expected that the first of the five S-400 systems will start coming in by the end of 2020. Due to the spread of Chinese COVID 19 Russia postponed the delivery and later agreed to deliver by 2021-end.
S-400 is the most modern air defense system in the Russian arsenal. It is capable of destroying incoming hostile aircraft, missiles and even drones within a range of up to 400 km. It has a tracking capability of nearly 600 km.
The system has been designed to shoot down flying targets, including stealth aircrafts, at a distance of about 400 km. It is also capable of taking out ballistic missiles and hypersonic targets. 
The S-400 can be armed with four different types of missiles with ranges of 400 km, 250 km, 120 km and 40 km. The long-range radar can track more than 100 flying objects simultaneously while being able to engage a dozen targets. According to media reports India is buying two different type of surface-to-air missile for its S-400 system: 40N6 (Range: 400 km) and 48N6 Range: 250 km).  There are rumors that Indian S-400 may have technologies developed for Russian S-500 that will make Indian S-400 more advanced than Chinese S-400.

For the complete details of S-400 click the button

S 400
2K12 Kub (SA-6 Gainful)
 
2K12 "Kub" mobile surface-to-air missile system is a low to medium-level air defense system designed to protect ground forces from air attack. The first generation missiles of 2K12 Kub have an effective range of 4–22 km and an effective altitude of 50–14,000 m. The new missiles has an effective range from 4 to 24 km. in 2017 India has launched a new request at the international level to supply approximately 200 missiles for the system. India needs a new missile able of engaging target in range of 24/25 Kms with a single shot kill probability of at least 80 percent.
 
This system may replace with Akash SAM, but the recent requirement of 200Missiles indicates India may use these systems further.  About 12 regiments of Kub system are believed to be in active service with India. 
Picture
Indian army test-fire of 2K12 Kub air defense missile system.

9K31 Strela-10 M3 (SA-13 Gopher)
 
The 9K31 Strela-1 is a highly mobile, short-range, low altitude infra-red guided surface-to-air missile system.
 
Strela-10M3 is a further development of the Strela-10M2. Strela-10M3 deployed on the 9K35M3 TELAR , this variant using the 9M333 missile which was supplied with a 9E425 three channel seeker, the first infrared, the second using a visible band television contrast lock design, and the third a passive homing channel intended to home on the emissions from jamming equipment. The 9M333 included a new autopilot and IR background rejection processing, as well as a laser proximity fuse. Strela M3 can engage enemy aircraft and helicopters at a range up to 5 000 m and altitude of up to 3.5 km. It can additionally engage UAVs and cruise missiles. Missile has improved resistance to enemy countermeasures. Warhead contains 5 kg of explosive material instead of 3 kg. It is more efficient against small-size air targets, such as UAVs. The missiles weight 42 kg. These can be used by all other versions of the Strela-10.
 
In 2015 Russia offers to upgrade SAM Strela-10M3 for India to the level of the Strela-10M4 or Strela-10MN (night version), making it more combat-worthy. Modernization includes the upgrading of the combat vehicle, but we will not touch the rockets. The main drawback of the earlier versions was that the system could not work at night. It did not have thermal sighting capability. These new versions – the Strela-10M4 or Strela-10MN (night version), can work at night. But there is no news about the up gradation of the system. Upgraded Sterla-10M3 will have new target-acquisition radar; most probably it will be the very same AESA-based radar that’s on the IA’s upgraded ZSU-23-4 Schilkas.
 
India may have 250 units of Strela 10M3 and 200 units of Strela 1

Picture
​Strela 9М333
 
India ordered Strela 9M333 from Russia in 2020(Need Confirmation). Sources in the know told that the contract was made towards the end of 2020. A Kalashnikov spokesperson confirmed reports of the deal but offered no details either. Information about the number of units or the value of the deal was not available.
 
Strela 9M333 guided missile system is designed to defeat low-flying aircraft and helicopters as well as remotely piloted aircraft and cruise missiles. Guided 9М333 missile is the modernized 9М37М missile with a higher efficiency engine and a new transportation and launch container. Unlike its predecessor that had only 2 seeker modes available, the new seeker works in 3 modes.
The new war-head is heavier than its predecessor with the weight of 5 kg as opposed to the 3 kg warhead of 9М37М. The accuracy and the probability of target hitting are increased due to a bigger detonator buster, and the special section of its sub-munitions (missile fragments).
The new guided 9М333 missile is fully compatible with all earlier versions of Strela-10. The new transportation and launching container and the missile electronics do not require any alterations to be made in the Strela-10 system combat vehicles, Kalashnikov information said.
Picture

Spyder (Surface-to-air Python-5 Derby)

The SPYDER is a low-level, quick reaction missile.  . In June 2006, SPYDER was selected by the Indian Army. The procurement was finally approved by the approved by the Indian Defense Acquisitions Council in July 2008 but due to logistics issue, the missile couldn't be deployed. A contract worth $1bn for 18 SPYDER systems was awarded to Rafael in September 2008. The SPYDER systems were delivered starting in 2012. 18 SPYDER-MRs along with 750 Python-5 surface to air missiles (SAMs) and 750 Derby SAMs has been delivered.
SPYDER is a low-level quick reaction missile (LLQRM) system. It is used to protect critical infrastructure in ground-to-air missions from wide-spectrum of incoming air-borne threats ranging from aircrafts, helicopters, UAVs, precision-guided munitions (PGMs). It offers both lock-on before launch (LOBL) and lock-on after launch (LOAL) capabilities with I-Derby and Python-5 missiles.
SPYDER MR purchased by India offers target interception through vertical launch, thereby creating a protective dome of 80 km radius. It uses electro-optic payloads and wireless data link communications to ensure all-weather, multi-launch and network-centric capabilities. India successfully test fired the SPYDER-MR system in May 2017
The SPYDER family has autonomous capabilities, detecting threats while on-the-move and firing instantly after halt. SPYDER systems enable a 360° launch within seconds of the target being declared hostile, and provide all-weather, multi-launch, and net-centric capabilities.SPYDER’s open architecture design enables the integration of external components such as radars.
SPYDER-MR offer medium & long range target interception through vertical launch while pushing the defense envelope up to an 80 km radius.
SPYDER MR System enable a 360° launch within seconds of the target being declared hostile ‒ and provide all-weather, multi-launch, and net-centric capabilities. The SPYDER systems have advanced ECCM capabilities and use electro-optical observation payloads as well as wireless data link communication.
The main components of the SPYDER system are the truck-mounted command and control unit, the missile firing unit with Python 5 and Derby missiles, a field service vehicle and missile supply vehicle.
The vehicles are air-conditioned and also provide protection against biological and chemical warfare (BCW). The system is based on a modular design and system maintenance in the field is through very quick module replacement.
The system can launch missiles in two modes of operation: lock on before launch (LOBL) and lock on after launch (LOAL). The slant launching method, unlike vertical launch, allows LOBL so the missile’s on-board seeker is locked on to the target before launch. The LOBL mode allows the Squadron Commander to confirm the missile is locked on to the designated target prior to launch, gives high kill probability against short-range high-manoeuvring targets and enables the engagement of designated targets by add-on optical sensors.
A typical SPYDER squadron consists of one mobile command and control unit (CCU) and four mobile firing units (MFU). The CCU and MFUs each have their own built-in power supplies. The system features an automated computer, assisting the operators in the successful completion of hostile target interceptions in intense battlefield environments. The mobile CCU is equipped with surveillance radar and two operator stations. There is a radio data link between the CCU and the four MFUs.
The CCU combines data from the local surveillance radar and from upper tier command and control centers up to 100km away. There is also provision for receiving air situation pictures from other data links.
The air situation picture (ASP) is displayed at the operator’s workstation in the command centre. When the operator decides to launch, an automatic procedure is initiated. The CCU assigns the target to the appropriate launch unit.
If the target is within acquisition range the missile is launched in LOBL mode. If the target is beyond seeker acquisition range the missile is launched in LOAL mode. The seeker searches for the target and switches to homing phase when the target is acquired.
Both the DERby and the PYthon 5 missiles can operate in LOBL and LOAL modes. The target is destroyed by the warhead blasting on impact or by proximity fuse.
The command and control unit is housed in a truck-mounted shelter with a mounted radar, information friend or foe (IFF) interrogator and communication equipment. The VHF/UHF interference-free communication system is for internal squadron communication and to upper tier command.
SPYDER uses a truck-mounted missile firing unit which is equipped with a communications system and fitted with a 360° rotatable, electro-mechanically operated, turret-based launch unit.
 
Elta EL/M 2106 ATAR 3D surveillance radar

The Elta EL/M 2106 ATAR 3D surveillance radar can simultaneously track up to 60 targets. The radar has 360° operation and all-weather day and night capability. The radar includes advanced electronic counter countermeasures (ECCM) for operation in dense hostile electronic warfare environments.

PYthon 5 missile

The PYthon 5 missile is Rafael’s new very high agility dogfight air-to-air missile. PYthon 5 is a development of the PYthon 4 with a dual-band focal plane array and imaging infrared (IIR) seeker which gives a very wide field of view.
PYthon 5 retains the same airframe – with pitch and yaw control, delta-shaped canards and two roll control swept fins and the same rocket motor, warhead and fuse – as the PYthon 4 missile. The wide field of view allows LOAL at an angle of more than 100° off boresight. The dual-band seeker gives increased detection range, improved target discrimination against background clutter and a lower false target acquisition rate.
In LOAL mode, the target data is transferred from the command and control unit via the launcher to the missile. The missile’s guidance and control systems are active for a three times longer period than for the earlier PYthon, enabling the missile to counter targets making evasive manoeuvres. The high explosive fragmentation warhead is fitted with an active laser proximity fuse.

DERby missile

The DERby missile is a medium-range, active radar-guided missile originally developed for the air-to-air role. The air defence missile has all-weather and beyond visual range capability.
DERby has a similar body design to the PYthon missile. An active RF radar / infrared seeker, developed by IAI, is installed in the nose of the missile. The missile incorporates an advanced programmable ECCM system. Derby operates in LOBL mode for short-range target engagement and LOAL mode for medium-range engagements.
There are rumors that India Deployed SPYDER Missiles Along With Akash Air Defence System near China Border, during the ongoing standoff at LAC. 

Picture
Picture

9K33 Osa (SA-8A/B Gecko)
 
The 9K33 Osa is a highly mobile, low-altitude, short-range tactical surface-to-air missile . The missile is mounted on an amphibious vehicle having its own radar and can act with or without the regimental surveillance radars. The range is about 15km and a maximum altitude of 12km. The six-wheeled transport vehicles BAZ-5937 are fully amphibious and air transportable. The road range is about 500 km.
 
The SA-8b Gecko is a single-stage, solid-fuel, short-range, low-altitude, all-weather SAM. The TELAR vehicle is six wheeled with driver's compartment at the front of the vehicle which has accommodation for two; the driver and commander, with access to it via a hatch in the roof. The engine is at the rear. Four command-guided missiles are carried ready to launch, two either side. The main, conical-scan, fire control radar is at the rear of a one-man, gunner-radar operator position and folds back 90º to reduce the overall height of the vehicle for air transport and during high speed road travel.
 
The radar operates in the H-band with a 360º traverse and has a max Range of 35 km. Each battery also has two missile transloaders based on the same chassis with a long coffin-like blunt pointed tarp roofed structure covering the cargo space and crane. When operating, the blunt point area is raised and the tarped structure is slid to the rear. A total of 18 reloads in boxed sets of three are transferred to the TELAR by a hydraulic crane mounted centrally behind the vehicle cab. In the regiment maintenance battery there is a single radar collimation vehicle using the same chassis. This has a collimation antenna which lies on both sides of the vehicle and overhangs the rear during transit. It is raised during operation and mounted on each side of the hull directly behind the cab.
In operation it is raised and mounted on each side of the hull directly behind the cab. The SA-8b is contained in a rectangular launch box it has improved guidance and speed characteristics to give it a maximum range of 15km. The warhead weight of the missile is 19kg. The reloading time is five minutes. Combat deployment time is four minutes with the system reaction of 26 seconds. The surveillance radar operates in the H-band and has an effective range of around 30 km against a typical target. The tracking radar is of the pulsed type and it operates in the J-band with a range of 20 - 25 km. The I-band guidance radar makes it possible to launch two missiles at the same target, each one responding to a different frequency to frustrate ECM.
 
India may have 50 Units of Upgraded OSA AKM. 

Picture

​S-125 Pechora (SA-3B Goa)
 
S-125 Pechora is a low- to medium-altitude air defense system. It has a shorter effective range and lower engagement altitude than either of its predecessors and also flies slower, but due to its two-stage design it is more effective against more maneuverable targets. It is also able to engage lower flying targets than the previous systems, missiles reach around Mach 3 to 3.5 in flight, both stages powered by solid fuel rocket motors. The S-125 uses radio command guidance.
 
India initiated the up gradation of S-125 in 2016. Indian S 125s are outdated for the most part, and the extension of their service life is immediately required to keep them in service. India will digitize the Pechora`s control unit, antenna post, subsystems of SAM launchers, tracking and coordinating systems, missile-command generating systems and launch-computing devices.
 
In October 2020 Indian Ministry of Defense (MoD) has roped in Alpha Design Technologies Limited (ADTL) to upgrade the Pechora system. ADTL will be upgrading and digitizing 16 of the Pechora missile and radar systems which are presently in Service. Also, the contract has an options clause, under which the number of systems to be upgraded and digitized could be taken up to a total of 24 in the coming years. The project would lead to the adoption of a host of indigenously developed technologies in the Pechora missile systems, like radar transmitter, thermal imager based electro-optical system and communication equipment. The entire contract is to be executed within four years. The Pechora upgrade program includes the refurbishment of its missile-guidance radar and the integration of its radar with an Integrated Area Command and Control System (IACCS). The upgrade will provide a fresh lease of life for ten years. IAF had planned to replace Pechora systems with MRSAM systems.
 
India may have 25-30 Squadrons of Pechora.
 
Pechora Radars
 
India used P 15 Flat face as part of Pechora SAM Systems. P 15 has a Range of 128 km. We are not sure whether it is still operational or not. Most of the systems were replaced by P19 Radars.
 
P-19
​

The P-19 designed to detect aircraft flying at low altitude and came to be associated with the S-125. The radar can rapidly shift its frequency to one of four pre-set frequencies to avoid active interference with passive interference being removed by a coherent doppler filter. Azimuth was determined by mechanical scanning with an associated accompanying PRV-11 used to determine elevation. P-19 has good low altitude detection and high resistance to countermeasures. P 19 Uses UHF Frequency and has a range of 260Km. India is started its up-gradation few years back, we don’t know the current status of the upgrade. 
Picture

SAMAR
​

In a recent exhibition Indian Air force showed a SAM system based on R 73E heat seeking missile named as SAMAR (Surface to Air Missile for Assured Retaliation).SAMAR is developed by Army and Air force engineers using the currently available systems in the force. India has thousands of old R73 so these developments most probably a way to get rid of older R-73 Stocks that have completed their captive flight hours so that SAMAR may not go into bulk production.
Each launcher is fitted with a FLIR for target recognition and the image will cued to R73 seeker after that the R73 will be fired. The system is quite capable to shoot down Aircrafts , helicopters & UAVs.

Picture
Ballistic Missile Defense
​

The Indian Ballistic Missile Defense Programme, an initiative to develop and deploy a multi-layered ballistic missile defense system, is a two-tiered system consisting of two interceptor missiles, namely Prithvi Air Defense (PAD) missile for high altitude interception, and the Advanced Air Defense (AAD) missile for lower altitude interception. The two-tiered shield will be able to intercept any incoming missile launched 5,000 km away.
The PAD was tested in November 2006, followed by AAD in December 2007. With the test of the PAD missile, India became the fourth country to have successfully developed an ABM system, after the United States, Russia and Israel.
The ABM defense system comprises integration of LRTR, fire control radar, mobile communications terminal and mobile launcher-fired interceptor missiles, which make it technologically complex. These tests are a significant step forward in establishing a credible missile defense system, capable of detecting, intercepting and destroying medium- and long-range ballistic missiles.
Two new antiballistic missiles that can intercept IRBMs/ICBMs are being developed. These high speed missiles (AD-1 and AD-2) will be able to intercept ballistic missiles with a range of 5,000 km. These new missiles will be similar to the Theatre High Altitude Area Defense System (THAAD) missile deployed by the US. These missiles will travel at hypersonic speeds.
Looking at missile threats from the hostile neighborhood, India is eyeing an effective BMD system, with an overlapping network of early-warning sensors, command posts and anti-missile land- and sea-based missile batteries. Having tested its anti-missile defense system thrice, India is giving thrust on fully developing a two-tier BMD system, capable of tracking and destroying incoming hostile missiles both inside (endo) and outside (exo) the earth’s atmosphere.
Indian scientists are developing a laser based weapon system as part of the BMD to intercept and destroy missiles soon after they are launched towards the country. According to DRDO’s air defense programme director V K Saraswat, it is ideal to destroy a ballistic missile carrying nuclear or conventional warhead in its boost phase. Saraswat informs that it is an involved process and not just about producing lasers. Many systems like the surveillance and tracking systems need to be put together for such a system to work. It will take another 10-15 years for the premier defense research institute to make it usable on the ground.
Picture
India Vs China Military Balance – Air Defense, Part-1-Chinese SAMs
Military Balance India Vs China, Air Defense Systems Part 2- Chinese Radars
India Vs China Military balance – Air Defense- Part 4 Indian Radar Systems
0 Comments

Military Balance India Vs China, Air Defense Systems Part 2- Chinese Radars

3/13/2021

0 Comments

 
Chinese integrated air defense system

Integrated air defense systems (IADS) are a key feature of modern warfare. IADS are complex, multilayered defense systems incorporating a range of ground-based and aerial sensors, as well as surface-to-air missile (SAM) systems. 
A modern IADS is one of the most formidable threats that an air force can be tasked to confront. China has a robust and redundant IADS architecture over land areas and within several hundreds of Kilometers of its coast that relies on an extensive early warning radar network, fighter aircraft, and a variety of SAM systems. China is also placing radars and air defense weapons on outposts in the South China Sea, further extending its IADS. It also employs point defenses, primarily to defend strategic targets against adversary long-range cruise missiles and airborne strike platforms. 
Chinese IADS is commonly called as “air intelligence radar network”. All the various Chinese surveillance elements have been integrated into an ‘air intelligence radar network’ using  fixed high speed fibre-optic links that provide interconnections that are immune to electronic intelligence intercepts and radio frequency jamming. Moreover, all mobile radars and missile batteries have been connected through indigenous TS-504 mobile tropo-scatter communications terminals.
China’s IADS is heavily distributed and mobile. It is comprised of land-based HQ-9 and S-400 long-range and multiple medium-range SAM systems on the mainland as well as on artificial reefs, and an increasingly potent naval component in the shape of People’s Liberation Army Navy major surface combatants with the navalised HHQ-9 series. China is also pursuing multiple aerial and ground-based exotic radar and multi-spectral sensor technologies to support both its IADS and the People’s Liberation Army Air Force.
 
Several Radars of various kinds in the likes of long range Surveillance radars, Fire Control radars, over the horizon Radars, Ground based large Phased Array radars and several other radars with high mobility integrated into Chinese IADS.  The first consequence of this radar data-sharing within an IADS is that there are far more potential radar emitters that a SEAD/DEAD task force must consider a serious threat than if each individual battery was only capable of engaging using its own radars. Even if centralized C2 nodes are hit and knocked out, along with large brigade radar assets, individual battalions and even batteries can still pose a serious threat to aircraft. The second effect is that radar horizon-associated blind spots for the strategic SAM systems – equipped with active radar homing missiles and sited further from approaching threats, to a large degree, be filled by situational awareness contributed by external ground- and air-based systems. A third effect is that the spatially diverse network of radars operating across multiple different frequency bands can give more precise target information, particularly against stealth aircraft with very low radar cross-sections if all the data can be brought together and cross-referenced in real time by a data-fusion asset. These properties, as well as the more obvious benefits of mutually supporting defensive fire, make an IADS a vastly more daunting prospect than a standalone strategic SAM system. The ability of the strategic SAMs in an IADS to exchange radar and engagement data with shorter-range systems and airborne assets greatly complicates the task of SEAD/DEAD against these networks.
 
The PLAN is also a key component of China’s IADS. Despite serious issues with inter-service connectivity and joint exercises, China’s strategy for its land-based and naval IADS coverage is closely linked.  
 
China is also supplementing its IADS with a much more aggressive and technologically advanced air force modernization programme .With three modern AWACS types, operational fifth-generation fighters and the Soar Dragon and Divine Eagle radar-surveillance high-altitude UAVs, as well as experiments with quantum radar. China can already boast a multi-layered and unpredictable IADS which can threaten modern combat aircraft far from the mainland.  When, as opposed to it, China can link its ground-based, maritime and aerial assets at a technical and operational level, it will be a formidable challenge, able to contest airspace over 1,000 km from the mainland.
 
The Chinese Integrated Air Defense System (IADS) consists of three core components
  • Early warning
  • SAM systems
  • Airborne interceptors
 
Early Warning

China today has an advanced radar network with improved early warning coverage through ground-based sensors and airborne early-warning (AEW) aircraft. It has also designed and deployed radar systems that are optimized to detect stealthy aircraft, including passive surveillance systems. The radars are integrated in an ‘air intelligence radar network’ covering the entire country. After being snubbed in its effort to acquire the highly capable Phalcon AEW system from Israel, it has developed three viable AEW platforms; these are the KJ-2000, the KJ-200 and the Y-8 AEW. Marketing materials also emphasize these systems’ ability to counter long-range airborne strike and combat support aircraft. PLAAF airborne early warning and control (AEW&C) aircraft such as the KJ-2000 and KJ-500 can further extend China’s radar coverage well past the range of its ground-based radars.
 
China developed a wide variety of long range Radar systems, extremely long Range Radars for Ballistic missile shield and over the horizon radars etc. These radars systems include surveillance radars, fire control radars, passive sensors, anti stealth radars, low altitude surveillance radar etc all these assets can connect to the Chinese Integrated air defense network as will, this helps to create a comprehensive picture of the threat, and the SAM systems connected to the IADS can easily take down the intruding enemy forces. And the IADS can instruct fighters like assets to intercept or shoot down the intruder, making the Chinese air defense system an extremely reliable and a difficult system to wedge.
 
SAM Systems

China initiated its  current wave of modernization efforts by importing modern SAM systems from Russia, and by  the 2010’s had an impressive array of modern long range SAM systems.
The core lethal component of any IADS is the SAM system. China has increasing numbers of advanced long-range SAMs, all of which have the advertised capability to protect against both aircraft and low-flying cruise missiles. To improve its strategic air defenses, China has taken initial delivery of the Russian-built S-400 Triumf SAM. Russian S-400 which is the most advanced SAM in the world and a real game changer. Compared to these other systems, the S400s feature a longer maximum range, improved missile seekers, and more sophisticated radars.  
 
China manufactures a variety of long-range air surveillance radars, including models claiming to support ballistic missile defense. All new generation Chinese SAM systems have high mobility and incorporate advanced electronic counter counter measures (ECCM) even as they are capable of engaging a wide range of air threats, including those with stealth features.
 
Air Interceptors

In 1996, PLAAF had a large inventory mostly comprised by second-generation J-5 (MiG-17) and J-6 (MiG-19) fighters. Today, all J-5s and J-6s have been retired. Although PLAAF’s AD interceptor pool still includes third-generation aircraft such as the J-7 and J-8II, incorporating modern weapons and avionics , almost 60 percent of its inventory is now made up of fourth-generation types such as the Su-27, Su-30 MKK, the indigenous J-10 and the J-11 family based on the Su-27, including the J-11B  ‘pirate’ variant which entered service around 2008. China also has fifth-generation fighter J20, around forty J 20s are available with PLAAF.
​
Doctrine
Some of the features of the current Chinese Air Defense doctrine are:
  • As the threat from stand-off platforms becomes real, the emphasis is on ‘large area defense’ rather than ‘key point defense’ so that early warning and engagement occurs as far forward as possible.
  • ‘Mobile air defense’ rather than fixed defenses with mobility considered key to concentrating firepower and plugging holes in air defense coverage. These operations take three basic forms: Mobile ambushes, Mobile coverage, and Search and destroy.
  • ‘Offensive AD’ to replace defensive AD, with a greater role for counterattack.
  • ‘Joint AD’ with an all service approach to AD.


Chinese Radar Systems (Land Based)

YLC-2

The YLC-2 radar (domestic designation: LLQ303, formerly known as 385) is a three-dimensional main guidance and surveillance radar developed by the Nanjing Research Institute of Electronics Technology.
 
The radar uses an active phased array with an aperture of 7 m · 9 m that scans electronically in elevation while rotating in azimuth. The original for this radar was possibly the AN/TPS-59, an assumption supported by many similarities in the construction of the antenna. The antenna array of the YLC-2 consists of many low-power radiating elements using solid-state power-amplifier modules mounted in 54 vertical rows. The main antenna is topped by an IFF/MSSR array.
 
The antenna array has 54 horizontal elements, each fed by a 2.0 kW (peak, at 8% duty cycle) T/R module that is reported to have improved upon the earlier design of the AN/TPS-59 and GE-592 radars of which it appears to be a copy. The YLC-2 radar has three display consoles and can track as many as 100 targets.
A total of 5 sets of YLC-2 radar systems were delivered to Pakistan to the Pakistani Air Force (PAF) at Faisal Airbase on 15th June 2003, and probably two more in 2006, to be used in support of the PAF air defense network, where it was reported to be high-powered, solid-state, long-range 3D air surveillance radar
 
YLC-2 system is said to have a detection range of 330km (500 According to Wikipedia). It is reported to have a variety of electronic counter-countermeasures, to enable survival in a hostile electro-magnetic environment. There is also a new version designated YLC-2A, and a self-propelled version; YLC-2V.  YLC-2A and YLC-2V employ smaller, more compact antenna arrays and have been declared to function in E/F-band.

In the mid-2000s, an improved version labeled YLC-2A was deployed to the PLA. Equipped with a new Giga-flops digital signal processor, it is capable of Digital Moving Target Indication (DMTI) and Constant false alarm rate (CFAR) processing. An S-band variation called YLC-2U with similar capabilities was also developed for SAM guidance. Both of these advanced YLC-2 radars have been specifically designed to counter stealth fighters, with a claimed range of up to 200km even in heavy ECM environment.

Specifications
 
  • L - band
  • Power Output: 5.5 KW
  • Peak Power: 85 KW
  • Detection range: >500km
  • Accuracy: range 200m
  • Azimuth: 3600
  • Height: <500 m(R: <200km); 750 m(R: 300km)
  • Resolution range: <100m
  • Elevation 0.50 - +200
  • MTI improvement factor: 44dB
  • Antenna aperture: 7m x 9m
  • Antenna side lobe level: -35dB
 
Other features:
  • Phased array system and pencil beam scan technology
  • Wide band low sidelobe planar array antenna
  • Monopulse angle measurement
  • Frequency diversity
  • Distributed high power solid-state transmitter
  • Advanced programmable digital signal processing

Variants
​

YLC-2 is original and after that they upgraded YLC-2 A and YLC-2 V.
YLC-2 is a base system and used L-band frequency.
YLC-2 A is a highly upgraded YLC-2, it is highly Mobile the radar is mounted on vehicle system.
YLC-2 V Becomes Personalized Vehicle System and S-band frequency used.
Out of these three systems, YLC-2 V radar used as target search radar with Chinese Air Force's HQ-9 / HQ-12 SAM units.

Picture
Picture
YLC 2A

We create this kind of contents sparing time from our personal lives. It is difficult to make such content as it involves a lot of Background Research. We will continue to do so for a foreseeable future as we are planning to buy our own website domain. It is absolutely important that we should remain financially strong to bring such content. We request readers to contribute some amount for our cause.
Even a small amount of Rs. 20 as much as your daily street snack to whatever you wish is acceptable. You can contribute us by scanning the UPI QR Code. You can download the QR code picture and can upload in payment apps for contributing.
Picture

YLC-2V

 
YLC-2V is a mobile, high altitude surveillance radar and medium/long-range guidance S-Band radar that can be quickly deployed. The radar system can be operated remotely and has been integrated onto a wheeled platform providing for high mobility. The YLC-2V radar was unveiled at the China Air Show in November 2014.
 
YLC-2V radar is especially suitable for being used as main surveillance radar in air defense or navy, target indication radar in ground to air missile troop. It can provide comprehensive information including azimuth, range, altitude, IFF attribute, of large quantities of air targets. The antenna is smaller than the YLC-2, which results in lower resolution in elevation but higher mobility (assembly/disassembly time: 40 min with 6 persons).
 
With excellent operational performance, especially high mobility, strong anti-jamming and anti-destruction capability, strong viability and detection capability of targets with small RCS such as cruise missile. YLC-2V radar will be the major guidance and surveillance radar for China in the 21st century.

Features

  • Long detection range, high measurement accuracy
  • High resolution
  • Strong anti-clutter and anti-destruction capability
  • High mobility
  • High reliability, good maintainability and strong adaptability to environment

Specifications

Operation frequency band                  : S band
Instrumental range                              : 500 km
Coverage (Range)                               : ≥ between 350 km and 420 km
Coverage (height)                               : 25000 m
Coverage (elevation)                           : 0 - 25°
Coverage (Azimuth)                           : 0 - 360°
Measurement accuracy (azimuth)       : ≤ 0.3°
Measurement accuracy (range)           : ≤ 100 m
Measurement accuracy (height)          : ≤ 600 m
Range resolution                                 : ≤ 200 m (automatic extraction)
Assembly/disassembly time                : 40 min with 6 persons
MTBCF                                               : ≥ 1000 h
MTTR                                                 : ≤ 30 min
Picture
Picture
YLC 2V

YLC 8/8A
 
YLC8/8A is 2D air search radar. YLC-8 and YLC-8A are derivatives of the P-12/P-18 Spoon Rest family of radars, widely exported as part of S-75 Dvina / SA-2 Surface to Air Missile Batteries. Unlike the self propelled Soviet original, the YLC-8 is carried on a semi-trailer.
 
Specifications
 
Max range                   : 370 km
Azimuth                      : 0-360Degree
Elevation                     : 0-18Degree
Range Accuracy          : <200m
Deployment Time       : 30Min
MTBCF                       : >800hrs
MTTR                         : <25Mins


Picture
YLC 8

YLC 8B
 
YLC-8B is mobile, high altitude 3D surveillance radar which integrates mechanical scanning with two-dimensional active phased-array technology developed independently by China to spot a wide variety of threats such as ballistic missiles and aircraft at medium ranges simultaneously. The radar system, utilizing the latest digital technology, has been integrated onto a wheeled platform providing for high mobility and is intended for deployment by the PLA in key areas. The YLC-8B radar was first unveiled at the China Air Show in November 2014.
This system is designed to supplement fixed radar networks with additional sensing capacity against a range of air threats such as stealthy aircraft and ballistic missiles. It can also be used as gap-filler radar as it can be rapidly moved to distant or austere locations.
According to Jane’s, the Institute has promoted for a few years its YLC-8B medium- and high-altitude three coordinates surveillance radar able to move on road and railway and at sea within 30 minutes. The radar has a range of 550km to detect and track conventional multifunction fighter jets and 350km, targets of low visibility. 
YLC-8B is operating in UHF-Band . YLC-8B antenna fold-able array is designed for automatic, rapid deployment and recovery.

Picture
Picture

YLC-18
 
The YLC-18 radar, developed by the 14th Institute of Electrical Sciences of China, is high maneuverable three-coordinate low altitude blind compensation radar with outstanding performance. It can be used not only as a low-altitude target detection radar and medium-altitude surveillance radar to build a radar intelligence network, but also as an anti-aircraft artillery force or surface-to-air missile force target indicator radar.
YLC-18 radar is mainly used to detect low-altitude and medium-altitude aircraft, armed helicopters or cruise missiles. It has a good detection probability for low and small targets.
The YLC-18 radar antenna can elevate, so that it can detect low altitude flying objects, radar antennas high-speed rotation, in a short period of time is also one of the secrets of the radars low altitude detection capability. YLC 18 has high measurement accuracy and strong ECCM capability.

Specifications
Operating frequency               : EF-band
Range                                      : ≥ 250km
Height                                     : ≥ 12,000m
Elevation                                 : 0º ~ 35º
Azimuth                                  : 0º ~ 360º
Azimuth Accuracy                  : ≤ 0.3º
Range  Accuracy                     : ≤ 100m
Height Accuracy                     : ≤ 600m (within 200km)
MTBCF                                   : ≥ 1,000 hrs
MTTR                                     : ≤ 30 mins

Picture
YLC 18

YLC 18A

YLC-18A is a Long Range Three Dimension Low Altitude Blind Compensation Radar.
 
The YLC-18A is basically low and medium altitude target detection and surveillance radar that can also be used as a Surface to Air Missile (SAM) target indicator and Anti-Aircraft Artillery Force. It is equipped with the new Giga Flops Digital Signal Processor and it is capable of Constant False Alarm Rate (CFAR) processing and Digital Moving Target Indication (DMTI). YLC-18A Radar System is characterized by the high maneuverability and high speed technology, which can be ready on a short notice. The Radar Antenna can easily be elevated to scan the low altitude terrains. It has a Range of 200 Kilometers in Complex and Hybrid Electronic Warfare Environment.
 
Specifications
​

Frequency                       : Three Dimension Radar
Band                                : L-Band
Azimuth                          : 360°
Scanning Tech               : Pencil Beam Scan & Phased Array System
MAX Range                    : >500 Kilometers
Height                             : <500 m(R: <200km); 750 m(R: 300km)
Resolution Range         : <100 Meters
Total Elevation Range  : 0.50 – +200
Signal Processor          : Advanced Programmable Digital Signal Processing
Signal Transmitter        : Distributed High Power Solid-State Transmitter
Rated Power Output     : 5.5 KW
Peak Rated Power        : 85 KW

Picture
YL 18A
JL-3D 90 A

JL-3D-90A is L-band 3-D airspace surveillance radar. This is fully coherent, 3D radar with a low side-lobe, planar, phased array antenna.
The radar may be used for civil and friendly air traffic management, detection of hostile aircraft. It may have an IFF sub-system integrated to determine the friendliness of targets in flight.
JL3D-90A employs a radio frequency (RF) agile transmitter with a klystron amplifier chain and a low-noise linear receiver using digital pulse compression techniques to achieve long-range detection with good target discrimination. Adaptive digital signal processing is employed with comprehensive BITE. Monopulse sum/difference height measurement is employed with automatic target extraction and adaptive signal processing. Target processing capacity is 100 tracks for every antenna scan (10secs). The antenna cover diagram for a probability of detection of 80% against a radar cross section of 2m2.

Specifications

Range                         : 300km
Altitude                      : 20,000m
Range accuracy       : 150m
Altitude accuracy    : 500m
Azimuth accuracy   : 0.25°
Range resolution     : 90m
Azimuth resolution : 1.5º  
Peak power output : 700kW.
Picture
Picture
JYL-1

JYL-1 is a long-range S-Band 3D air surveillance radar. . Between 2005 and 2013 Venezuela bought 12 pieces of these radar systems to replace two older AN/TPS-70 radars. It functions in the E/F-band region and might be used as either a military or commercial asset for air traffic control and management purposes. The JYL-1 radar system is capable of providing the effective detection and tracking of targets in the complicated electromagnetic and severe clutter environments, primarily serving as a backbone sensor in an integrated air defense network.

JYL-1 can function as, Air surveillance within the area of responsibility, accurate target detection and location; quickly acquire target 3D information, Automatic target tracking, and Continuous reports of target plots/track data etc.
It can operate reliably in any weather conditions. JYL-1 can perform efficiently in intense electronic attack scenarios thanks to its excellent ECCM performance.

Specifications

Frequency band                         : S band
Coverage instrumental range  : 450 km
Coverage height                         : 30000 m
Coverage elevation                    : 30°
Coverage azimuth                      : 0° to 360°
Measurement accuracy (RMS) range      : 100 m
Measurement accuracy (RMS) azimuth  : 0.3°
Measurement accuracy (RMS) height     : 600 m
Resolution range                                         : 200 m
Resolution azimuth                                     : 1.5°
Deployment time                                         : 30 min by 6 persons
Withdrawal time                                           : 20 min by 6 persons
Transport mode                                           : by air, road, and rail
Number of transportable unit                    : 3


Picture
Picture
Self-propelled JYL-1

JYL-1A

​JYL-1A is long-range 3D surveillance radar first unveiled at China international Defense Electronic Exhibition 2014. JYL-1A is a new-generation S-waveband multifunction and multi-task radar with integrated capabilities of air defense early warning, anti-missile early warning, gun position detection and adjustment and airspace control.

Picture

JY-11 “Hunter-1”
 
JY-11 is 3-D air surveillance radar and is mainly used as to provide medium to low altitude target-indication for AAA battery or SAM unit.  It is an F-band radar with an integrated D-band IFF sub-system. It is often used as a gap-filler for a regional air defense network. The radar uses a phased array that scans electronically in elevation while rotating in azimuth. The electronic beam deflection is performed by a frequency scanning array.
 
The JY-11 radar uses 14 different beams to cover an elevation range of 30º. Two of the beams are used for wide area detection, and four layers of each 3 beams serve to cover medium ranges.
The radar provides high side lobe attenuation, high immunity to interference and a constant false alarm rate. The mobile system is composed of an antenna/transmitter unit, radar electronic and operator shelter, and a supply shelter containing a diesel generator set which can be transported with a total of 3 trucks. It is transportable by land, sea or air (C-130, CH-53). Deployment and withdrawal are largely automated within 20 minutes.

Facilities and capabilities include a narrow-beam, low side lobe antenna with dual, slow-wave structure enabling the radar to operate over two sub-frequency bands separated by 100 MHz, which overcomes the disadvantage of weak anti-active jamming capability in a single band. Digital pulse compression with a relatively low power output, across a large dynamic range, is achieved by a fully coherent highly reliable frequency synthesizer.

This radar was first declared (as HUNTER1) at the International Radar Symposium in Munich 1998, where it was stated to be a highly mobile, solid-state, frequency-scanning, target indication radar. For mobility it locates very quickly piggy-back fashion on a flat-back 4x4 truck.

Specifications

Band                             : F Band
Detection Range         : >180Km
Detection Altitude      : 15000m
Azimuth                       : 0-360
Resolution Range       : 200m
Resolution Azimuth   : 2.5
Peak Power Output   : 13.5Kw
MTBF                           : 800hrs
MTTR                           : 0.5Hrs


Picture
JY 11

JY-11B
 
JY-11B is a self-propelled version of JY 11 with enhanced accuracy and maximum range.  It is a low-altitude, 3D, S band, solid state, highly mobile air surveillance radar. It adopts novel design concepts of reconfigurable transmitting beam shape and BFU (beam forming unit) receiving beams with advanced technology incorporated to provide low-altitude target detection, precision 3-D target reports, powerful ECCM, good site adaptability and strong survivability.
 
JY-11B can raise its antenna which is mounted on a hydraulically controlled tower to improve the radar coverage against targets flying at very low altitude, JY 11B is design to carry out most reliable missions and an effective detection & tracking of low flying targets in extremely sophisticated EW environment.
JY 11B radar can function as Ultra low altitude air surveillance and detection, medium range air coverage, Automatic target detection and tracking, target designation to weapons systems etc.
It features high mobility, long distance fast deployment and replacement because of its automation, powerful stand alone operation capability, excellent low altitude capability, powerful ECCM performance etc.
It employs ‘reconfigurable’ transmission beams and Digital Beam Forming (DBF) for reception to provide low-altitude and good sea-surface detection, with modern processing techniques including AMTI and pulse Doppler sampling.

Specifications

Operating Frequency              : E/F Band
Detection Range                     : 3- 260Km
Ceiling Height                          : >12000m
Elevation Range                      : 0-35
Azimuth Range                       : 0 – 360
Resolution Range                    : 100m
Azimuth Accuracy                  : 0.3Degree
Deployment                             : 10min by 4 persons
MTBCF                                     : 1000hrs
MTTR                                        : 0.5hrs

Picture
Picture
Picture

JY-50
 
JY-50 is passive 2-D radar that uses the electromagnetic signals transmitted by distributed radio frequency stations around itself, including civilian mobile phone, radio, and television broadcasts, to perform the detection, location, and tracking of airborne targets including electromagnetic silence targets (Stealth aircraft). JY-50 radar mainly accomplishes air defense warning mission to important direction and sensitive areas. The antenna is an array of two rows of 12 inverted Vee elements backed by a reflective grating.

Picture
Picture

SLC-7
 
SLC-7 is L-band active phased-array long-range surveillance radar. Its primary vocation is medium altitude and medium distance air surveillance against targets such as aircraft, cruise missiles and guided munitions. This radar is intended as a sensor for long-range surface to air defense control stations. The SLC-7 makes its first public appearance at the China Air Show 2016.
 
SLC-7 radar integrating mechanical scanning with advanced phased array antenna technology. The SLC-7 radar was developed by Nanjing Research Institute of Electronic Technology . The radar is claimed to be capable of detecting stealthy aircraft or unmanned aerial systems at distances of over 450 km with a high degree of success. It can also be used to track ballistic missiles. 

Picture
Picture
SLC 7

​SLC-12
Picture
​SLC-14
Picture

609 Intelligence Radar
​

The ‘609 Intelligence Radar’ was unveiled by the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) at the recent Airshow China 2018 exhibition in Zhuhai, although the company has stated that it is also offering an export-variant of the radar. While the performance specifications remain classified, it is said to be capable of providing early warning of stealth aircraft, ballistic missiles, and near-space threats.
The 609 radar is believed to be a core asset within China’s extensive air defence network, and can be easily integrated to existing air and sea combat systems to boost their interception potential.

Picture

JY 26 (Sky Watch)
​


JY-26 is a long-range three dimension early warning and guiding radar with duel frequency and super large aperture anti-stealth capabilities.
In November of 2014, China's JY-26 radar went through its paces at the Tenth Zhuhai Airshow. Its warning detection distance is 600 km under air defense and up to 800 km if tracking ballistic missiles. It can be carried by sea or air, and assembled by a team of ten people in an hour.
Operating in the long wave band – VHF/UHF enables the JY-26 to detect targets presenting low radar cross section (stealth aircraft) at the decimetric, centimetre and millimetre wave bands. The use of phased array technology also provides users the ability to increase the power transmitted at a certain location where a target presence is suspected, thus increasing the probability of detection of low-RCS targets. The manufacturer also claims the radar is designed with robust anti-jam and electronic counter-countermeasures, enabling it to face strike forces conducting advanced anti-access/area denial (a2/ad). According to media reports, China has deployed the JY-26 in Shandong Province and used it to monitor F-22 stealth fighters over the Korean Peninsula.
JY-26 can track 500 targets simultaneously. JY-26 UWB-radar is similar to America’s 3DELRR solution in appearance. An unusual feature is the bubble surface of the radar, which looks similar to Lockheed Martin's offering in the Three Dimensional Expeditionary Long-Range Radar (3DELRR) but JY 26 has less transmitting and receiving modules.
JY26 got Initial Operational Clearance (IOC) in 2015. JY-26 radar has been designed to operate in high clutter and jamming environments with high accuracy. The radar system has been integrated onto a wheeled platform providing for high mobility.

Picture

JY 27
 
JY-27 wide mat radar of the Chinese manufacturer CETC is a fully solid-state and fully coherent long-range early warning system. It is designed and developed to provide early warning information and detect low-observable air targets. . Besides, it provides the early warning information for weapons system as well. JY 27 radar is claimed to detect stealth aircraft up to 500 km radius. The radar is mounted on a mobile platform which enables it to move away after detecting the enemy aircraft, thus avoiding counter-measures. The radar is mounted on a mobile platform which enables it to move away after detecting the enemy aircraft, thus avoiding counter-measures.

JY 27A
 
China had revealed new radar at the 2016 Zhuhai air show. Called the JY-27A 3-D, it is a Very High Frequency (VHF) active phased array radar. The newer one antenna design is clearly influenced by the 1L13 Nebo SV “Box Spring” and 1L119 Nebo SVU. The radiating elements are horizontally polarized.
JY 27A has two versions (need confirmation) the first one is belied to be VHF band JY-27A radar can detect F-22 and F-35 fighters 500 kilometers away, and UHF band JY-27A radar can detect such targets in 300 kilometers.
JY 27A is an all-round digital array active phased array radar with agile wave beam scanning and strong task scheduling and resources management capabilities, which make it a strong multi-task and multifunction radar with much greater maneuverability and reliability in carrying out its tasks.
It adopts a series of new technology such as super resolution height measuring that is commensurate with complicate topography, continuous vertical coverage of air space and integrated anti-jamming technology. Such technologies enable it to overcome the traditional shortcomings of meter-wave radar that fails to cover low elevation, monitor airspace continuously or to measure the height of a target.


Picture
Picture
JY 14
 
The JY-14 (domestic designation: LLQ302, formerly known as: 384) is a medium to long range air defense radar . It is capable of detecting multiple targets within its range and determines their parameters, tracking them even through surface clutter and ECM jamming. It utilizes a frequency-agile mode with 31 different frequencies, has a large band of ECCM operating parameter frequencies, and uses linear FM compression. This system can simultaneously track up to 100 targets and can feed the data to missile-interceptor batteries. It can track targets flying as high as 75,000 feet and 186 miles in distance. The JY-14 system has been in production since 1998. The JY-14 can be upgraded to a more powerful power supply, giving it a wider range. This has been seen only in China so far, where multiple stations are tied together with the air defense system.
The system is notable for having wideband frequency diversity and adaptive pulse-to-pulse agility, enabling it to track even the most morphic radar signatures. It is the most common ground radar in China, and is rapidly being exported to other countries. The radar features excellent anticlutter and antijamming ability, as well as very good adaptability and automatization. Incorporated techniques include dual pulse frequency diversity, pulse-to-pulse frequency agility over a wide frequency band, adaptive MTI and CFAR techniques, and an advanced computerized BITE technique.

Features
​

Range: 590 km
Frequency diversity interval: 150 MHz
Wind resistance capacity: 25 m/s, normal operations, 25 - 35 m/s, operations with degraded performance, > 35 m/s.
High gain, low sidelobe and vertically offset multibeam antenna
Full coherent high power transmitter, multi-element modulator assembly
High stability, frequency synthesiser
Low noise, wide frequency band, large dynamic range and frequency diversity multichannel receiver
Adaptive MTI
Adaptive threshold, automatic clutter map
Picture


YLC 29


YLC-29 passive surveillance radar system that can detect targets through its reflection of civilian FM radio signals. It may supplement other radar systems in Chinese inventory. Chinese media claims it is superior to the Czech-made Vera-E system in terms of real-time tracking.  It uses widely distributed civilian radio frequency-modulated signals to detect, locate and track targets moving through the air - including stealth planes - without being detected, which greatly improves the system's viability and anti-jamming ability, according to CETC's official WeChat account.
According to the data provided by China Electric Power Group, the detection distance of YLC-29 is not particularly far, and its role is not the "anti-stealth" imagined by people, but it is still of great value to the civil air defense system. At the same time, the detection distance of the system is about 200 kilometers. According to the brief introduction provided by China Electrical Science, the system can detect, locate and track the moving target in the air by receiving the FM broadcasting signal reflected by the moving target in the air.


Specifications


Frequency coverage: 85 MHz-110 MHz
Coverage: 40,000 square kilometers (converted, detection radius equivalent to 177 kilometers) (Target characteristics: radar cross-section area of 3-5 square meters, detection probability 0.5)
Vertical angle of detection: 0~40 degrees
Ranging accuracy is less than 800 meters.
The accuracy of direction finding is less than 1.5 degrees.
Target detection capability: more than 200 batches.
Deployment mode: automatic retracting and erection time is less than 20 minutes.


Over The Horizon Radars
 
A number of OTH-B and OTH-SW radars are reportedly in operation with China. Few details are known of these systems. However, transmission from these radars causes much interference to other international licensed users.
 
OTH-B Over-The-Horizon Backscatter Radar 

OTH-B radars are bistatic systems; this is where the transmitter and receiver use different antennas at widely separated locations to achieve detection results. The importance of these systems is that they are not limited by line of sight, as are most radars, but they do require a very significant amount of processing power. This was the limiting factor with early Chinese OTH systems, but may no longer be the case. Backscatter systems function at the upper end of the High Frequency (HF) band, typically between 12 and 28 MHz. Because of the very long wavelengths involved, to be efficient, the antenna arrays are extremely large.
The Chinese OTH backscatter (OTH-B) radar is to provide surveillance of the South China Sea. The precise location of this facility has not been released. China is reported to have developed its first OTH-B radar back in 1967, although its designation is not known .It was stated that a full-scale development program into an OTH-B radar system was being carried out in China during November 1986. A ground-based OTHR named Type-110, an operational drill is being conducted for processing the received signal data from the targets in the East China Sea Fleet OTH-B radar station


China's OTH-B is said to use Frequency Modulated Continuous Wave (FMCW) transmissions to enable Doppler measurements, the suppression of static objects and the display of moving targets.

On 14th November 2001 www.china.com reported that CEIEC was (then) developing new OTH radar.

OTH –B Site Locations (Tx & Rx) in Hubei Province
​

Transmitter site: 32°20'11.28" N 112°42'29.56" E
Receiver site: 31°37'09.15" N 111°55'07.52" E
There are 3 groups of transmitter antenna array at this site, therefore theoretically, at least 3 radar signals and on 3 different radio frequencies can be transmitted from this site simultaneously.

Each group of antenna array can also be divided and used by multiple transmitters, so that more radar signals can be sent out from this site simultaneously.
 
 
In this site group of transmitter antenna array #1, consisting of 8 high-gain large log periodic antennas (LPA) for low to high frequency operations.

The 4 equipment rooms on the left might be accommodating 4 (or more) high power HF transmitters and phase combining network in order to provide the maximum transmitter output power. An array of 8 LPAs also provide higher antenna gain and plus high transmitter output power for the maximum effective radiating power (ERP).

The transmitters in the 4 equipment rooms and the 8 LPAs can also be divided and used individually, or in different paired combinations for multiple carrier/frequency operations. Actual signal analysis shows that the transmitters and LPAs are paired for 2 carriers/frequencies operations.



Picture
OTH-B Radar in the East China Sea Flee


Project 2319 Tianbo [Sky Wave] Over-the-Horizon Backscatter Radar [OTH-B]

Sky wave over the horizon radar has a range of 1000 to 4000 km. China's sky-wave system radar system can detect U.S. aircraft and ships at a long distance from the coastline of the country.
Sky wave radar and ground wave radar collectively referred to as OTHR. OTHR has two basic types: the use of ionospheric shortwave reflection effect so that radio waves to the distant radar, known as sky-wave over-the-horizon radar; the use of longwave, medium and shortwave diffraction effect in the Earth's surface so that radio waves Radar spread along the curve, known as the ground wave over-the-horizon radar. OTHR is one of the technologies that Western countries have imposed on China's major blockades and embargoes. The former Soviet Union had only given some guidance to China theoretically, and China's own world of radar has truly reached its combat readiness level based entirely on China itself.
The first Chinese OTH-B radar receiver at Sanlichong, Nanzhang, near Xiangyang, Hube Province was completed in June 2007, while the transmitter was just beginning at the same time. The radar transmitter, about 100 km to the North-East of the receiver, is managed by Team No. 52 of Unit 95980 and is located 25km north of Zaoyang City, near the Zhouquiao reservoir.
In January 2016 it was reported that China Tianbo over-the-horizon radar had entered the end of the trails, is about to be delivered for use, and set up the corresponding Tianbo Brigade. This shows that the Chinese military is vigorously developing the Tianjun. At present, it is directly responsible for the headquarters. Henri Kenhmann of EastPedulum reported 18 January 2017 that "The satellite images as of December 31, 2016 show that China has started the construction of a second trans-horizon radar (OTH-B), like the first one that was built in the center of the country and able to spot its targets over a distance of more than 3,000 km..... unlike the first Chinese OTH-B radar that targets the wide area between the coast East of China to the second chain of islands, that is to say, to Guam, where is the largest US military base in the Western Pacific, this second trans-horizon radar covers the entire peninsula of Korea, and a large majority of Japan, from Hokkaido Island in the north to Okinawa Island in the south."
Chinese state media reported 15 March 2017 that China had installed another over-the-horizon Tianbo radar in Inner Mongolia. Its main objective was detecting an opponent's missile launch and the localization of an intercontinental ballistic missile. Within a minute, Tianbo can confirm the target to strike, as it detects the launched missile.
The over-the-horizon radar, which was installed in January 2017, has a range of about three-thousand kilometers, enabling it to detect not only South Korea and Japan but even the Western Pacific. According to the Chinese media, the Tianbo radar can also detect U.S. F-35B stealth fighters deployed at the Iwakuni base in Japan. It can also monitor aircraft carriers and warships within its radius.
The receiver for the second site is located at Darhan Muminggan, Baotou, Inner Mongolia, China. Based on the configuration of the first site, the transmitter for the second site might be expected to be found in the vicinit of Naomugeng Sumu, Siziwang, Ulanqab, Inner Mongolia. There is some sort of larger military-type tower at this location, which is at the intersection of two highways in an area that is otherwise the epitome of a trackless wasteland.

CEIEC Surface Wave-OTH (SW-OTH) Radar 
​
The surface wave radar is another branch of the HF OTH-B radar and has been researched and developed since 1967.The range of ground-wave over-the-horizon radar is short, but it can monitor the area that cannot be covered by sky-wave over-the-horizon radar. It is designed to detect ships and low attitude aircraft outside the coastline. The maximum detection range of the surface wave radar system is no more than 400 km and it is used for local area defense. It also collects good quality clutter and tidal information. The price for this radar system is relatively low compared to HF OTH-B radar system. Based on the geographical location of China, the potential outside threat weapon would be further away compared to the 400 km distance detected by the surface wave OTH radar. 

This system, albeit undesignated, is currently being promoted for export by CEIEC. Two antenna arrays are shown. The single mast may support a rhombic transmission array whilst the reception array of dipoles appears to be arranged across a bay.

OTH RADAR - Surface Wave Sites

System 1: (Zhejiang)

Modulation: FMICW/FMPCW
Pulse bandwidth: 50 kHz
PRF: 42 Hz
Frequency logged: 5MHz

System 2: (Fujian)

Modulation:
Pulse bandwidth:
PRF: Frequency logged: 5MHz

System 3: (Hainan)

Modulation:  Pulse bandwidth:
PRF: Frequency logged: 5 MHz
Site 1:
TX site: Wenzhou, Zhejiang, 2 transmitters, 2x Log Periodic Antenna Arrays (LPAA).
RX site: 1x Monopole antenna array.

Site 2:
TX site: Fuzhou, Fujian, 2 transmitters, 2x Log Periodic Antennas (LPA, single antenna).
              This is the only transmitter antenna configuration in the radar network, only one LPA
              is used per one transmitter.
RX site: 1x Monopole antenna array.
Site 3:
TX site: Zhangpu, Fujian, 2 transmitters, 2x Log Periodic Antenna Arrays (LPAA).
RX site: 1x Monopole antenna array.

Site 4:
TX site: Guangdong, 2 transmitters, 2x Log Periodic Antenna Arrays (LPAA).
RX site: 1x Monopole antenna array.
Construction took place in 2014 to relocate the Control and RX sites that are close to a nearby developing industrial park.
According to radio frequency observation, the co-located transmitters can be operated simultaneously, and the networks normally operate below 10 MHz.

Normally, all the Chinese OTH-SW radars will be up at the same time using different frequencies, and their OTH-B radars will be operating simultaneously.
 
Pulse Doppler Over-the-Horizon Backscatter (PD-OTH-B) Radar

Another branch of China OTH-B radar is Pulse Doppler OTH-B (PD-OTH-B) radar. In order to fulfill the performance of bistatic OTHR, the synchronization is a critical issue to deal with. Based on the Pulse Doppler (PD) technique, the system can successfully solve the synchronization problems of time, phase and spatial processing and handle sophisticated two dimensional (2D) signal processing techniques of ranging and speed measuring. The detection range of single PD-OTH-B radar is between 700 and 3,500 km with coverage up to six million km2 in a 60o azimuth sector. PD-OTH-B radar can counter low altitude penetrating bombers, have early warning ability against intercontinental ballistic missiles and deployed long range surveillance ships. The resolution of the PD-OTH-B radar to detect aircraft is 2.5o in azimuth, 20-40 km in range and 0.3 Hz in Doppler frequency. The transmitter and receiver sites of the experimental radar are both located in the middle of China. The radar beam points to the north-west region of China. A coherent transponding site is set up at the place 1,486 km away from the receiver location for the calibration, the discrimination of ionosphere mode, and the determination of sub-clutter visibility (SCV) of 55 to 60 dB.

Picture
Chinese Type-110 OTHR-
Picture
The Transmitter Antenna Element of Surface Wave OTHR

​Chinese Ground based Long-Range Early Warning System
​

China has also developed long-range early warning radar system, similar to that of the US PAVE PAWS. The long-range radar system is able to detect targets 5,500 kilometers away. It can be used to direct the People's Liberation Army's air defense missiles to intercept incoming ballistic missiles. Such systems are established at space monitoring station in Heilongjiang province in the northeast region of China, another one with similar facilities in Xinjiang in China's northwest and another one in Fujian in the southeast.  The warning system in Xinjiang is apparently designed to monitor Siberia while the one in Fujian at check Alaska and Japan.
These radars given a comprehensive anti-ballistic missile defense capability to China.
Chinese work on LPARs began in 1970. They were intended to catalogue space targets and provide for early warning of missile attacks. The MEI's 14th Institute [the Nanjing Institute of Electronic Technology], located in Nanjing, and is China's leading organization for phased array radar development. A number of Chinese technical papers have appeared in Western publications concerning phased array radar operations, but open sources were extremely vague, until recently, on the details of Chinese LPAR developments.
As early as 1958, 14th Institute director of Shen Zhongyi began to organize ultra-long-range radar research. In 1959 the Insitute developed simulation radar, for the first time received a 380,000 km from Earth, the strong echoes. The 14th Institute research base made variety of new radar technological breakthroughs. In 1965, demonstration projects began on 640-4 and in 1966 officially launched the project consisting mainly of two radars: 110 single-precision tracking radar pulse remote (referred to 110 radar) and 111 phased array early warning radar (later called the 7010 Radar). The 640-4 early warning system work is limited to ground-based radar system, not only serving the anti-missile project, but also serve other aerospace projects, such as targets for the outer space cataloging and strategic early warning experiments.
The 640-4 project began phased array radar research. The 40 meter X 20 meter radar antenna was built into the Huangyang Mountain slope 1,600 meters above sea level in Xuanhua, Hebei Province, about 140 kilometers northwest of Beijing. On 25 January 1970, 14th Institute conducted a full mobilization, and launched a comprehensive development of 7010 tasks. Engineering and technical personnel participated in the 7010 Project, without a break Chinese New Year, to engage in research topics assault trials and demonstration program, this campaign was working at the same time in all regions of the fraternal support units. In May 1970, the CMC issued to the Fourteenth Institute a phased array early warning radar research task 7010.


P-band Strategic Large Phased Array Radar

Established at an unknown space monitoring station in Heilongjiang province in the country's northeast, the long-range radar system is able to detect targets 5,500 kilometers away.
The main task of the P-band long-range early warning phased array radar is to intercept and track strategic missiles and predict the trajectory with the information it can support the missile early warning satellite. The early warning radar detects the incoming missile as soon as possible and provides sufficient interception system Reaction time to various SAM systems in the Chinese inventory.
In September 2017 at the Beijing Exhibition Hall the "five years of endeavor" exhibit was held in large-scale achievement exhibition. This featured first public display of the domestic P-band long-range strategic early warning phased array radar. It is part of China's effort to build a new generation of network information systems, part of the military's long-range anti-missile and strategic information warning core equipment.
On 08 October 2017 CCTV reported on the large-scale achievements exhibition "Five Years of Striving for Endeavor" a huge radar displayed. This is a large domestic P-band large-scale radar array.
Analysts pointed out that this P-band radar has a height of 10 floors, a width of 35 meters. It belongs to a long wave radar, the working frequency band 30 ~ 300MHz, the wavelength is 1m~10m - specifically, a frequency of 250-500 MHz and a 1.2 meters to 60 cm wavelength. The use of more than 12,000 T/R components forms a large radar array with a diameter of 30 meters and a detection range of more than 5000 km.
By deploying such large-scale radar around the country, China can easily monitor the entire eastern hemisphere region and build a powerful surveillance network for China.
The P-band long-range early warning phased array radar's main mission is the missile early warning satellite information support, the strategic missile capture and tracking, and trajectory prediction. As is well known, ballistic missiles have the characteristics of fast speed, long range and small radar reflection area. It is very difficult to find the target in time only by the radar of the interception system. Therefore, the early warning radar is required to find the incoming missile as early as possible and provide sufficient Reaction time.
The radar system is phased array, the function distance is more than 3,000-kilometer, the working frequency is low, the general work is in P band, the antenna diameter is large, the effective working diameter is more than 20 meters; the peak power reaches MW; the signal pulse is wide, and the signal processing mode is pulse stamping and accumulation.
This long-range early warning phased array radar uses the relatively rare P-band. Compared to the UHF band, the P-band keeps the detection distance far away, and is more accurate than the UHF band. P-band between VHF band [214–236 MHz] and L-band [1250-1380 MhZ], frequency range 230~1000 MHz even covers the UHF band [425-610 MhZ]. L-band is also a very popular early warning radar band. The P-band wavelength is longer, so the absorption of the atmosphere is small, in the atmosphere of the propagation of signal attenuation, signal strength, detection distance is therefore farther. The P-band belongs to the meter-wave band, with high price/performance ratio, low manufacturing difficulty, multipurpose/multi-target detection, which is the main reason of choosing P-Band of China's domestic long-range early-warning radar.
Its performance is estimated by Chinese sources to exceed the PAVE PAWS radar deployed in Taiwan, and the next generation PAVE PAWS, the United States BMEWS phased array early warning radar, is comparable.

X-band Large Phased Array Radar 

In addition to the P-band radar equipped this time, China has also established several large phased array radar arrays to meet the early warning needs of the Chinese team's strategic missiles. In Heilongjiang, China, a non-rotatable 30X24-meter large X-band radar station was established. The main task of this X-band radar is to carry out target interception, tracking and identification with the information support of the P-band long-range early warning phased array radar, and to provide accurate early warning target information for Hongqi-19 and Kinetic-3( other SAM systems also)  missile interception systems.
The X-band corresponds to a wavelength of 3 cm. and has a frequency range between 8–12 gigahertz. A radar operating in the P-band [UHF band with Chinese characteristics], can sweep a broad space at a range of several thousand kilometers, acquiring and tracking incoming threat objects. The narrowly focused X band radar can focus on a specific object, and could be used to determine which objects are a threat and which are decoys. The higher-frequency X-band radar is more accurate than UHF, and can concentrate energy on a target to make successful detection and tracking more likely.
According to a statement by the CETC group, a new radar, "important and the first of its kind in China," was admitted to active duty on September 27, 2016. The exact type of radar was not disclosed by the text, but it specifies that it is a "historical" moment and an "important step in the construction of the overall system of the field". The text adds that several years were necessary between the design, construction, testing, calibration and the first experimental exploitation of the site. The importance of this inauguration can also be illustrated by the fact that the Director of the ECCC Institute No. 14 - one of the two most important radar research offices in the country - attended the ceremony with all development team. According to some sources familiar with the case, several top Chinese Air Force (PLAAF) officials and an early warning missile unit were also involved.
According to one of the academic papers written by researchers at CETC Institute No. 14, this radar is 30 meters in diameter and its operation requires that the flatness of the face of the radar be less than 3.8mm. As a result, the radar is cut into 60 rectangular dies of a dimension of 2 meters x 7.5 meters, ie a total area of 900m².


Possible LPAR Sites
  • Hebei 7010 Radar (dismantled): 40°26'48.33" N 115°06'59.69" E
  • Xingjiang: 41°38'28.33" N  86°14'13.29" E/ 46°31'40.61" N 130°45'19.06" E
  • Zhejiang: 30°17'11.12" N 119°07'44.45" E
  • Fujain: 25°07'35.27" N 118°45'06.06" E (??)
  • Huanan, Jiamusi, Heilongjiang: 46°31'39.29" N 130°45'23.12" E(X-band Large Phased Array Radar)
  • Yiyuan, Zibo, Shandong:  36°01'23"N 118°05'35"E  (P-band Strategic Large Phased Array Radar)
Picture
first publicly disclosed domestic P-band long-range early warning phased array radar
Picture
Xband Long Range Radar
Part - 1 Chinese SAM Systems
Part-3 Indian SAM Systems
Part-4 Indian Radar Systems

Next Part will Cover Indian SAM Systems
0 Comments

India Vs China Military Balance – Air Defense, Part-1-Chinese SAMs

3/10/2021

0 Comments

 


Introduction

Surface to air missile is a missile designed to destroy Aircrafts and other missiles.  Surface-to-air missiles were developed to protect ground positions and ground troops from hostile air attacks. In modern warfare SAMs are turned out to be one of the most important assets for any country. Modern SAM systems are highly mobile, able to set up and pack away in minutes prior to and after firing. They are also supported by point-defense systems, electronic warfare assets and deception measures such as decoys. This makes them very difficult to reliably track, target and destroy from long ranges. They are also increasingly equipped with digital radars capable of frequency-hopping, offering much better resistance to jamming interference and also making them harder to detect when in operation.
 
In this article you can read about SAM systems and Radar systems of India and China. We are purposefully making Indian part short.

Chinese Air Defense Systems

China acquired, reverse engineered and developed a wide variety of air defense systems, most of them are older platforms and obsolete. Even though the latest generation Chinese air defense systems are very much capable and the recent addition of S400 system to Chinese inventory increased the lethality. The PLAAF possesses one of the largest forces of advanced long-range SAM systems in the world.
In this article we provided more details about HQ-9, HQ-16, HQ-19, mainly because they forms the backbone of Chinese air defense along with S-400. Information about the newest Chinese SAM/BMD such as HQ 22, HQ 26, and HQ 29 are scarce and misleading.  Older Chinese SAM systems are possibly upgraded with latest technology still it is less capable compared to the newest systems , even though they are older they are working in a highly networked Chinese integrated air defense system makes it deadly for the adversaries.


HQ-9

The HQ-9 is a medium- to long-range, active radar homing surface-to-air missile. China claims HQ 9 is similar in capability to the Russian S-300 and American Patriot systems. The naval variant, HHQ-9 appears to be identical to the land-based variant. HHQ-9 is equipped in the PLAN Type 052C Lanzhou class destroyer in VLS launch tubes. HQ-9 system likely has a limited capability to provide point defense against tactical ballistic missiles. The HQ-9 system is designed to track and destroy aircraft, cruise missiles, air-to-surface missiles, and tactical ballistic missiles. The system was unveiled for the first time to the public during the military parade for the 60th anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic of China. Most land-based HQ-9 variants can hit targets at ranges of up to 200 kilometers and altitudes of up to 30,000 meters. While its single-shot kill probability is as high as 90 percent against airplanes, it may be much lower—about 30 percent—against ballistic missiles.

Each HQ-9 launcher contains four missiles stored in individual containers and is transported on Taian TA5380 8×8 high mobility chassis. The most basic formation of 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 equipment's are usually mounted on Tai'an trucks. This basic formation can be expanded into more capable larger formation, with the addition of, 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 missiles. HQ-9 can use a variety of radar sensors to detect different targets, including ballistic missiles and stealth objects. A battery may include HT-233 engagement radar, H-200 mobile engagement radar, and a number of search radars like the Type 120 low altitude acquisition radar, Type 305A 3D acquisition radar, or Type 305B 3D acquisition radar.
​
In the Chinese Armed Forces, an HQ-9 battery includes a command vehicle(TWS 312), six control vehicles, 6 targeting radar vehicles, 6 search-radar vehicles, 48 missile-launch vehicles, and 192 missiles; plus a positioning vehicle, a communications vehicle, a power supply vehicle and a support vehicle. A battalion reportedly contains 8 missile launch vehicles.

Similar to the Russian S-300V 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 thrust vector control (TVC) of HQ-9 is the most obvious visual identification that distinguishes 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 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 in the 1990s. 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.
 
Accompanying the land-mobile HQ-9 LR-SAM SAM batteries are the RWE-1 radio-frequency band active missile approach warning system (MAWS) and CETC-built TS-504 tactical digital troposcatter communications systems. The MAWS is used for protecting LR-SAM batteries from attack by high-speed anti-radiation missiles, and is employed to trigger emitter shutdown and activation of active emitting decoys. The MAWS has a detection range of 40km/21.6nm. DF capability is via amplitude comparison between channels, providing 10-degree DF accuracy, adequate for cueing decoys, or cueing point-defense weapons to acquire, track and engage the inbound missiles. The TS-504 tactical digital troposcatter communication system is deployed extensively to support LR-SAM batteries by providing digital connectivity to the integrated air defense network.
 
For point-defense of the HQ-9 battery, the Yi Tian wheeled self-propelled very short-range air defense system (VSHORADS) is employed. The system uses the WMZ-551 6 x 6 wheeled armored fighting vehicles on which there is a mast mounted Type-120 rotating planar-array low-probability-of-intercept (LPI) radar. Against a helicopter or non-stealth attack aircraft the radar provides surveillance out to 18km, tracking at 12km, and engagement at 10km. Against an inbound cruise missile the surveillance range drops to 8km. with the missile firing at 6km from an oncoming target. The eight SAMs are carried by a 4 x 4 vehicle carrying two square quad box launchers each containing a FB-6A short-range missile, plus a fire-control system comprising a CCD day/night sight, thermal imaging sight, and a laser rangefinder. The FB-6A can intercept a target with a maximum speed of 400 meters/second (1,440kph) and the reaction time is given as 8 seconds. A Yi Tian air-defense battalion comprises a battalion headquarters and three self-supporting air defense companies.
 
Missile Specifications

Warhead                   : 180 kg
Maximum speed     :  Mach 4.2
Maximum range      :  200 km
Altitude                     : 30 km.
Detonation             : Proximity fuses (effective range of 35m, goes active when the missile is 5km away from its target.
Guidance                : INS, mid-course uplink, active radar homing.
 
General Specifications

Range                        : 100km (FT-2000), 200Km (FD 2000), 250Km (9A), 300Km (9B)
Speed                        : 4.2 Mach
Propulsion                : Two Stage, Solid rocket motor
Launch Platform    : Taian TA580/TAS5380 8×8 transporter erector launcher (TEL),Type 052C destroyer, Type 052D destroyer, Type 055 destroyer

Picture

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). A battery of HQ-9 consists of 6 TEL trucks linked to HT-233 3D C-band mono-pulse planar phased array radar, under the control of a TWS-312 battery command post. It operates in the 300 MHz bandwidth and has a detection range of 120 km and a tracking range of 90 km. The radar can detect targets in azimuth (360 degrees) and elevation (0 to 65 degrees), and is capable of tracking some 100 airborne targets and simultaneously engaging more than 50 targets. Several search radars can be used with HQ-9, including anti-ballistic radars and anti-stealth radars, as the search radar Type 305B, the low altitude radar Type 120, the search radar Type 305A, the passive radar YLC-20 and the passive radar DWL002.
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. 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, 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 a Patriot missile to China from Israel. 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.
 
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 search radar TH-233 is fielded at brigade level, while FCR radars deployed would be SJ-212, H-200 or SJ-231. HT-233 is credited with a detection range of 120 km, scanning 360 degrees in azimuth and 0-65 degrees in elevation. It can track 100 targets and designate 50 for engagements.

Picture
Type 305A radar

Type 305A (also known as LLQ-305A) radar is 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. Type 305A 3D acquisition radar is unique and does not resemble any known Chinese radar designs. It is carried on the same Mercedes-Benz NG 80 derived chassis as the Type 120 and Type 305B radars.
 
Type 305A, most probably on based the same technology used in the KJ-2000 AWACS and KJ-200 AEW&C AESA radars. The antenna design physically resembles existing Western S-band AESAs such as the Thales Ground Master series, or the very much larger Israeli IAI/Elta EL/M-2080 Green Pine ABM radar series  - reliable, difficult to jam, and difficult to locate, with agile beam-steering of the kind seen in US systems like the Aegis SPY-1. The depth of the primary antenna and its structural frame is typical for AESA designs in this category, using a stacked modular feed network arrangement; this is well documented in a number of Russian AESA designs.

The rear face of the antenna frame is largely occupied with voluminous equipment housings, of similar depth to the antenna frame itself, and of equal height. These would be consistent with the installation of low voltage AESA power supplies, cooling equipment, receiver, and exciter hardware.

Chinese sources have identified the radar as a long range 3D high altitude acquisition and search design, intended to support missile guidance applications. This type of functionality is consistent with a number of extant dual role acquisition radars, built to support long range acquisition of aerial targets at medium to high altitudes, and acquisition of Tactical Ballistic Missile (TBM) category targets.


Picture
Picture


Type 305B AESA radar

Type 305B (also known as LLQ-305B) radar is the standard search radar for HQ-9(and HQ 12). The Type 305B 3D acquisition radar appears to be a variant of the existing YLC-2V. Type 305B is a modern mechanically steered planar array with electronic beam-steering for height-finding. It is similar to a good number of US and EU radars in this category, but is built for greater mobility in the field, making it harder to engage and destroy.

305 B is 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. Chinese sources describe this radar as optimized for search and acquisition of aerial targets. The principal distinction between the established YLC-2V and the Type 305B would appear to be the absence of the IFF/SSR array mounted across the top of the antenna.

The hydraulically folded antenna used with the Type 305B has 58 element rows and will employ frequency scanning like other radars in this family of designs. Row spacing suggests S-band operation, like the YLC-2V.

Picture

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 m folded, and 7 m 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. Like the Belarus Vostok D/E series, it uses a hydraulically elevated mast to increase low altitude coverage. Use of L band clearly intended to improve detection range against stealth aircraft and cruise missiles, most of which are difficult to detect at operationally useful ranges in the S-band.

Type 120 is 2D low-altitude acquisition radar. 2D capability implies that the radar system acquires range and azimuth data on a given target, but not altitude data. As such, the Type 120 is best suited for a complementary role supporting other radar systems. The Type 120 is reportedly a derivative of the earlier JY-29/LSS-1 2D radar system. While no performance specifications yet exist for the Type 120, the earlier JY-29/LSS-1 generated 72 target tracks with an operational range of 200 kilometers. The more refined Type 120 may improve on these specifications, but they are a logical baseline.

Picture

YLC-20 passive sensor

The Chinese YLC-20 is conceptually based on the KRTP-91 Tamara, but incorporates both precision DF and DTOA capabilities to locate airborne and surface based emitters. YLC-20 is intended to detect, locate and identify:
  1. Aerial emitting targets using active radar, including fighters, AEW&C aircraft and UAVs.
  2. Surface targets including early warning radars, acquisition radars and fire control radars.
  3. Emitting communications equipment.
Stated band coverage is 380 MHz to 12 GHz. Deployment time is claimed to be 1 hr, with all system components on 8x8 or 6x6 trucks. It is likely that DTOA techniques are used for target acquisition and coarse tracking, and DF techniques used for precision tracking, using DTOA derived coordinates to cue an interferometric DF antenna. Available material does not state whether a height finding capability is provided, if so this would likely be performed using interferometric techniques with the DF subsystem.

It is likely that much of the YLC-20 design is based on documentation acquired during the abortive attempt to procure six Czech Vera E DTOA ELS systems. The YLC-20 was first disclosed in 2006.

Picture
Picture


​DWL 001
Picture
Picture
Chinese DWL-001 Non-cooperative Passive Detection System

DWL002 passive sensor
 
DWL002 passive detection system was displayed during the 9th China International Defense Electronics Exhibition in Beijing in May. DWL002 passive radar is incorporating Kolchuga passive sensor, four of which were sold to China.   It comprises one master reconnaissance station and two slave stations. The systems can be expanded to four stations and outfitted on trucks. The DWL002 has a detection range of 400 kilometers for fighter aircraft and 600 kilometers for airborne early warning and control aircraft. According to some radar experts “Its range is limited by its parameter set and is most unlikely to achieve anywhere near 500 kilometers unless it is sited on a 10,000-foot mountain targeting aircraft at 30,000 feet,”
Chinese media says the system provides a target capacity of 100 batches and a range of detectable signal types including pulse, frequency agility, pulse duration, tactical air navigation system, distance measuring equipment, jitter/stagger radar, and identification friend or foe.
Chinese sources repeatedly claim DWL 002 as a credible counter to conventional stealth military aviation. The DWL002 is an emitter locating system (ELS) which partially iterates on innovations found in older Russian designs, including the KRTP Tamara series and ERA Vera-E. The DWL002 is a more advanced ELS compared to YLC-20 system .United States and other Western European countries have abandoned the use and development of passive-detection radar systems, citing poor accuracy.
 
DWL002 will have a likely range of around 400-500 kilometers and is comprised of three stations that operate in tandem, placed kilometers apart. The DWL002, if it lives up to its touted capabilities, would severely hamper stealth fighter-based attempts at establishing aerial control over Chinese territory provided Chinese air defense systems are operational. With the DWL002 ELS, Chinese air defense systems would be significantly more effective at detecting hostile stealth aircraft. Another claimed feature of the DWL002 is its ability to track aircraft without notifying pilots that they have been detected by radar.
DWL002 apart from its other ELS predecessors is it uses “paired primary wideband apertures, displaced in elevation.” The resulting phase and time differences between the upper and lower antennas permit height finding, otherwise problematic in earlier single aperture designs. The primary apertures are housed under cylindrical radomes, in an arrangement similar to the KRTP-91 Tamara and ERA Vera systems.

The lower primary aperture is on a telescoping mast, the upper primary aperture on the articulated folding main mast, which employs hydraulic actuators. Below the upper primary aperture is a package of steerable parabolic antennas, likely operating in the upper X-band or Ku-band. These are employed to provide high data rate links between the three or four networked DWL002 systems when deployed. The aft of the equipment container also mounts three Yagi antennas, the purpose of which has not been disclosed. It is most likely that these are employed for data linking target track data from the networked DWL002 systems to other air defence assets. The system is carried on a North Benz ND1260 (Mercedes-Benz NG 80) 6 x 6 military truck.
The strategic significance of the DWL002 is that it is the first DTOA technology ELS which has been designed from the outset with the intention of providing robust height finding capability when passively tracking an emitting target. The ability to generate near-real-time or soft real-time 3D target tracks would be especially valuable in supporting SAM systems like the S-300PMU2 or HQ-9, as this could be employed to cue the SAM engagement radar very precisely to the inbound target. Should the accuracy of the ELS be sufficiently high, it could be employed to generate post-launch midcourse tracking corrections for outbound SAMs.
 
The CETC brochure describes the system thus:
 
“DWL002 Passive Detection System, also called as passive radar, is mainly used in air-defense or seashore monitoring to perform the detection to perform the detection and location to airborne, ship borne or lands based emitters in complex electromagnetic environment and display the target flight path in real time. The system can also operate together with active detection system to form a mutual supplementary surveillance network.

Typical configuration of DVL002 Passive Detection 'system is composed of three reconnaissance stations. One of them serves as master station and the other two as slave stations. The system can be expandable to four station configuration with perfect performance of full spatial coverage and altitude information of air target. Each station is carried by an individual vehicle.

Main Functions:
    * Real-time & Accurate Location and Tracking
    * Signal Analysis and Identification
    * Long Range Detection and Early Warning

Main Features:
    * Passive
    * Real Time
    * Very Good Mobility

DWL002 Passive Detection System is a three station configuration (expandable to four station configuration). Each station including antenna and power generator is housed and carried by one vehicle. which ensures the good mobility of the system

    * Remote Control
    * Advanced techniques

Long base line time difference of arrival (TDOA) location technique combined with AOA: Wideband digitized receiver technique; Multilevel correlation processing technique with good flight track processing result: Automatic set up. Chassis leveling techniques and automatic north calibration technique to ensure fast deployment and flexible operation.”

Picture
Picture
Picture

Variants

HQ-9: Base Variant with TVM.

HHQ-9: Naval version. It appears to be identical to the land-based variant. It is used on modern Chinese guided-missiles destroyers. These missiles are launched from vertical tubes;

HQ-9A: Upgraded version, first tested in 1999 and service entry in 2001. Chinese sources claim that the HQ-9 family of systems employ much newer computing technology than imported Russian S-300PMU/PMU1/PMU2 systems, because HQ-9 is developed more than a decade later, thus allowing it to incorporate advancement in microelectronics. Due to the superior computing capability for signal processing, data processing and guidance support, this missile can have an optional semi-active radar homing (SARH) mode, because more info can be processed on board the missile itself. ). Improved electronic equipment and software provide the 9A with higher accuracy and probability of kill.

HHQ-9A: Ship-borne naval version of HQ-9A. Eight 6-cell vertical launch silos, of cylindrical shape and using "cold launch" method, mounted on the Type 052C destroyer (48 missiles in total). Naval variant identical to HQ-9A

HQ-9B: reportedly tested in February 2006. According to Jane's Information Group, this missile has a dual seeker that incorporates both SARH & infrared homing mode. Longer 300 km range; an additional seeker provides semi-active radar homing and infrared homing modes

HQ-9C: Currently under development, incorporating active radar homing mode. Currently in development; incorporates fully active radar homing.
​
FD -2000: Identical to original HQ-9, but designed for export with minor electronic improvements. First revealed in the 8th Zhuhai Airshow, the export version of HQ-9, providing extra anti-stealth capability by incorporating YLC-20 passive radar sensor as an option.FD-2000 made its name by once securing Turkish surface-to-air missile contract, later cancelled due to political reasons. FD2000's reaction time from radar contact to missile engagement is around 12–15 seconds. It covers an area of 49000 square kilometers. FD-2000 was on exhibition in Zhuhai Airshow 2014.
 
FT-2000:  Anti radiation version that was the first model of HQ-9 family being completed. First revealed in 1998, FT-2000, which was designed engage airborne warning and control system (AWACS) and other electronic warfare aircraft at long ranges. Despite being regarded as the first of its kind in the world, the real effectiveness of the FT-2000 in operation was somehow doubtful. The missile caught great attention when it was first revealed in 1998, but did not enter production due to lack of interest from either domestic or international market.



HQ-19

The HQ-19 is a long-range surface-to-air missile (SAM) intended to engage Low Earth Orbiting (LEO) satellites and ballistic missiles. The missile is planned to be deployed as part of the HQ-19 air defense system and the Type 055 destroyer in 2020. HQ-19 might “fill the midtier of China’s BMD network”.

HQ 19 is a vastly upgraded version of HQ-9.  According to Chinese military sources, it is an equivalent of the American THAAD (Terminal High Altitude Area Defense). HQ-19 is armed with a dual purpose exosphere kinetic kill vehicle (kkv) warhead designed by a team led by Professor Zhou Jun, which can be used against ballistic missile warheads or satellites. Its first flight occurred in 2003. HQ-19 using active radar homing in the terminal phase. HQ 19 make use of the Indigenous radars including the JY-27A and JL-1A – the latter advertised as capable of precision tracking of multiple ballistic missiles – reportedly provide target detection for the system.

The HQ-19 will have a range of between approximately 1,000 and 3,000 km. It could potentially have a capability against intermediate-range ballistic missiles (IRBM), with ranges between 3,000 km and 5,500 km, under certain circumstances. China carried out a fourth land-based mid-course missile interception test within its territory on 05 February 2018 and "achieved the desired test objective".

HQ-19 system also includes multi-purpose solid phased array radar for early warning. It is reported that the X band phased array radar can detect targets at a distance of 4,000 km. The information is provided to the HQ-19 interception system via the command-and-control system.

On July 23, 2016, the suspected red flag -19 (HQ-19) made a public appearance. When introducing the PLA's missile test expert Chen Deming, the "military program" of CCTV disclosed the first land-based mid-flight anti-missile interception test screen and intercepted missile warheads. The paper published in China on Demand Analysis of Tactical Missile Power Units and the Development of Solid Rocket Engines suggests that the Red Flag-19 anti-missile system is intended to be targeted at India's 2,500-kilometer long - medium-range ballistic missiles and requires effective interception of 3,000 kilometers Range of medium-range ballistic missile reentry warhead ability.
According to another judgment, the HQ-19 kinetic energy interceptor uses a side-window infrared seeker similar to THAAD. The window design can reduce the impact of atmospheric friction and heat on the infrared sensor detection, giving the missile the interception capability in the atmosphere. Side-window infrared seeker gives the HQ -19 in the atmosphere high attack accuracy, and can use a lighter kinetic energy interceptor to increase the interceptor's shot height and range.
​
China Aerospace Science and Industry Corporation Second Institute developed the endo- and exo-atmospheric Red flag-19 anti-missile missiles, belonging to the People's Liberation Army ground-based missile defense system.
HQ 19 adopted a composite guidance system, which can be used to intercept ballistic missile reentry warhead within a range of 3000km. HQ-19 is equipped with high-acceleration solid engine, which uses carbon fiber shell and the application of in-situ synthesis of composite materials. The mass ratio is 0.85, with a firing duration of 260s and 60g maneuver ability to intercept the warhead target.
 
US Department of Defense was of the opinion that "an HQ-19 unit may have begun preliminary operations in western China".

Picture
Picture
SC -19

SC-19 is the ASAT derivative of HQ 19. SC-19 using Kaituozhe-1 space booster as engine instead of the original engine used in HQ-9/19. Due to the size difference of engines, SC-19 also has to adopt a new launcher/transporter designated as KT-409. Like HQ-19, SC-19 can also be used to counter either ballistic missile or satellite on the lower end of low Earth orbits.

On 11 January 2007, China effectively destroyed its very own defunct weather satellite Fengyun-1C at 22:28 UTC. The missile used in the destruction was SC-19 ASAT missile having a kinetic kill warhead. The interceptor missile had been blasted off from a Transporter Erector Launcher (TEL) vehicle located at Xichang Satellite Launch Center. The target for the test, Fengyun-1C weighing 750 kg was a weather satellite orbiting in Sun Synchronous Polar Orbit of 865 km. The satellite was launched in 1999 and was the fourth satellite in Feng Yun series.
 
China conducted additional SC–19 tests in 2010, 2013, and 2014. In each test, the SC–19 intercepted a mock warhead launched by a ballistic missile rather than a satellite. The HQ-19/ SC-19 are all right for medium-range missiles and LEO satellites, but for interception at higher altitudes, the Chinese are developing the Dong Neng missiles aimed at mid-course interception. Multiple tests of the DN system have taken place since 2010.
Picture
HQ-26(ABM)
 
HQ 26 is believed to be the Chinese equivalent of SM-3 for naval deployment. HQ 26 is an upgraded HQ-9/19 equipped with a dual pulse solid rocket motor for the final stage like SM-3. Very little is known about this system. HQ 26 could equip Type 055 destroyer. Type 055 with HQ 26 is to deploy in the Indian Ocean and Asia-Pacific.
Macau-based military expert Antony Wong Dong told the South China Morning Post that the new generation sea-based HQ-26 anti-missile system will have a 2,174-mile range cruise missile and is likely to be installed on the country's largest destroyer–the Type 055.

HQ-29
​

HQ-29 is believed to be an equivalent to the American PAC-3 MSE / ERINT in terms of technology used, with engine upgrade for the final stage: instead of a single dual pulse solid rocket motor, HQ-29 is equipped with over a hundred tiny pulse solid mini rocket motors mounted in the forebody of the missile, but the exact number remain unknown due to lack of publicized information. Its first flight was achieved in 2011.
The development project would be launched in 2003; the technology of thruster and control combined active flight was controlled between 2005 and 2007. According to reports HQ 29 was supposed to induct in 2015.
To the kinetic interceptor with lateral impulse thrust and aerodynamic force, it is required to solve the problem of combined fire of motors for attitude control. First model of combined fire of motors for attitude control is developed, and then on the basis of this model a firing rule of attitude control motor is designed and an analysis on the energy consumption efficiency is made under the condition of different position distribution of attitude control motors, finally the simulation result proves the feasibility of this firing rule and have some reference in future.

HQ-16(LY 80)

The HQ-16 is a medium range semi-active radar homing surface-to-air missile. Development of the HQ-16 began in 2005 as a joint development with Russian company Almaz-Antey, based on the older Buk-M1 and Buk-2M Surface-to-air missile systems. In 2011, development was completed and the HQ-16 was officially inducted into service. This air defense system is mainly used to protect stationary assets such as airfields, command posts, concentration of troops, bridges, and other important targets. A typical battery comprises of four launch vehicles (with six launch tubes each), a command-and-control unit, two radar units, and a generator
 
Using advanced technologies, of intermittent illumination semi-active radar homing guidance, phased array radar, vertical cold launch (Navy) and radio communication network, the LY-80 can be operated under the environment of strong electro-magnetic interference and during all-weather conditions. . The HQ-16 is able to engage aerial targets at high altitude; the mid-range HQ-16 is also able to intercept very low-flying targets at a distance of up to about 40 kilometers, filling the gap between the HQ-7 short-range SAM and the HQ-9 long-range SAM systems. The HQ-16A missile can hit targets of an altitude from 400 to 10,000 meters.

According to the SIPRI (Stockholm International Peace Research Institute) arms transfers’ database, three units of the LY-80 were ordered by Pakistan in 2014 and delivered in 2015/2016. The Pakistan Army formally inducted the LY-80 (HQ-16) medium-range surface-to-air missile (SAM) system on March, 12, 2017. In January 2018, Pakistani army has performed the first live firing with the LY-80 during the military exercise Al Bayza-2019.

A typical formation consists of one command vehicle, one search radar vehicle, 3 radar guidance vehicles and 12 launch vehicles. Each launch vehicle carries up to 6 missiles. Technical support equipment includes missile transportation and loading vehicle, power supply vehicle, maintenance vehicle, and missile-test equipment. A single radar guidance vehicle controls two to four launch vehicles with six missiles ready to launch. The command vehicle is responsible to send target information and combat orders.

The launch vehicle is a Taian TA5350 6×6 high-mobility truck developed by Taian Special Vehicle Company. It is powered by a 250hp Deutz AG BF6M1015 turbocharged diesel engine produced under license in China. Standard equipment of the TA5350 includes a central tire inflation system that can be adjusted on the move from the driver's seat. The vehicle has a maximum road speed of 85 km/h with a maximum road range of 1,000 km, and can climb a gradient of 60% and side slope of 30%. It can cross a vertical obstacle of 0.5 m, a trench of 0.6 m and has a fording depth of 1 m without preparation. Prior to firing, the wheels are lifted off the ground by 4 hydraulic jacks and the 6 missile canisters are tilted back to a vertical position. The missiles use a cold launch system.


Picture
Radar

A typical formation consists of one searching radar vehicle, one command vehicle, 3 radar tracking and guidance vehicles, 12 launcher unit vehicles, and missiles canisters. Technical support equipment includes missile transportation and loading vehicle, power supply vehicle, maintenance vehicle, and missile-test equipment. A single radar guidance vehicle controls two to four launcher units with six missiles ready to launch. The command vehicle is responsible to send target information and combat orders.
The searching radar vehicle is equipped with solid-state an IBIS 150 S-band, 3D, PESA (passive phased-array radar) mounted on the top of a mast. When the target is detected, the searching radar vehicle performs automatic IFF (Identification Friend-or-Foe), threat judgment, flight path processing and provide target engagement information for the tracking-and-guidance radar. The S-band search radar has a range of 140 km and can detect targets flying at an altitude of 20 km. It can detect up to 144 targets and track 48 simultaneously.
The radar guidance vehicle is equipped with an L band PESA radar is mounted at the rear of the vehicle that controls the missile launching and target illumination after the missile is fired. The radar has a range of 85 km and can detect up to 6 targets, track 4 simultaneously and provide fire control for 8 missiles
Picture
Picture

Variants
 
HQ-16A
​

Land Variant of HQ 16. The LY-80 (HQ16A) was introduced in the Chinese armed forces in September 2011. This is a land based version of the HQ-16 system used in ships and fired from Vertical Launch System (VLS) containers. The HQ-16A is able to engage aerial targets at high altitude; the mid-range HQ-16 is also able to intercept very low-flying targets at a distance of up to about 40 kilometers. The HQ-16A missile can hit targets of an altitude from 400 to 10,000 meters.

Picture
Picture

HQ 16 B

In 2016, an upgraded version named HQ-16B was unveiled. Due to an improved rocket motor and revised wings, the range was increased to 70 km. The upgraded version also appeared to have a longer body and new designed wings. HQ 16B can target a wide range of airborne targets such as fixed- and rotary-wing aircraft, cruise missiles, stealth airplanes and unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs). The HQ-16B missile is intended for the People's Liberation Army Navy (PLAN) Type 054B class frigates and HQ-16 ground-based air defense systems.
 
LY-80                                           : Export version of the HQ-16A.
HHQ-16/16A                             : Naval variant of the HQ-16 with a range of 35 to 75 km.
HQ-16C/ HHQ-16D                  : an upgraded version of HQ6B, IOC 2018
HQ-16E/LY-80N              : New ship-based version, launched from vertical system similar to Mark 41 Vertical Launching System.
 
Missile Specifications

Weight                    : 650Kg
Length                    : 5.2m
Diameter                 : 0.34m
Max Range             : 40Km for aircrafts, 3.5 Km to 12 km for Cruise Missiles.
Kill Probability       : 85 %( Aircrafts), 60% (cruise Missiles)
Guidance                : SARH

It was reported that the naval variant of the missile was designed to intercept sea-skimming missiles that can fly less than ten meters above the surface.

General Specifications

In Service               : 2011
Range                     : 40 km (HQ-16) 70 km (HQ-16B)
Propulsion              : Solid Rocket Motor
Warhead                 : 70Kg, HE Fragmentation, Proximity fuze
Max Speed             : mach 3
Flight Altitude        : 15m to 18Km

Picture
HQ-16A missle battery in Tibet

HQ-2(Chinese version of S-75 Dvina)

The S-75 is a Soviet-designed, high-altitude air defense system, built around a surface-to-air missile with command guidance. HQ-2 is an upgrade of the S-75.The HQ-2 has been China's primary air defense system for over forty years but since 2016 it is being replaced by the HQ-22 system.

Variants

HQ-1: Chinese version of SA-2 with additional ECCM.

HQ-2: Upgraded HQ-1 with additional ECCM capability. Upgraded HQ-2s remain in service today, and the latest version utilizes Passive electronically scanned array radar designated SJ-202, which is able to simultaneously track and engage multiple targets at 115 km and 80 km , respectively. The adoption of multifunction SJ-202 radar has eliminated the need to have multiple, single-function radars, and thus greatly improved the overall effectiveness of the HQ-2 air defense system. A target drone version is designated BA-6.

HQ-3: Development of HQ-2 with maximum ceiling increased to 30 km specifically targeted for high altitude and high speed spy planes. Maximum range is 42 km and launching weight is around 1 ton, and maximum speed in 3.5 Mach. A total of 150 built before the program ended and the subsequent withdraw of HQ-3 from active service, and the knowledge gained from HQ-3 was used to develop later version of HQ-2.

HQ-4: Further development of HQ-2 from HQ-3, with solid rocket engines, resulting in a two-thirds reduction of logistic vehicles needed for a typical SAM battalion with six launchers: from the original more than 60 vehicles for HQ-1/2/3 to just slightly over 20 vehicles for HQ-4. After 33 missiles were built, the program was cancelled, but most of the technologies were continued as separate independent research programs, and these technologies were later used on later Chinese SAMs upgrades and developments such as HQ-2 and HQ-9.

HQ-2J:  Is anti-aircraft missiles mounted on the Type 77 transporter launcher. It is an upgraded version of the HQ-2 system.
​
Sayyad-1: Iranian upgraded version of HQ-2 SAM differs with the Chinese versions in guidance and control subsystems. Sayyad-1 equipped with an about 200-kilogram warhead and has speed of 1,200 meters per second.

HQ-7(FM 80)

The HQ-7 is a short-range air defense missile. The missile is deployed on both ships and land-based vehicles. The HQ-7 became PLAN's standard short-range air-defense SAM in the 1990s, and was used on Type 054 until superseded by the HQ-16 on the Type 054A frigate. The typical configuration is one 8-cell launcher, with stores of reload missiles in multiples of 8. Earlier versions required manual re-loading, while later variants have an auto re-loader that can be retracted under the deck. HQ-7 is deployed in hardened shelters. The PLA has mounted the HQ-7 on towed trailers.

The Naval HQ-7 uses a Type 360S E/F-band Doppler radar with a detection range of 18.4 km, connected to the ZJK-4 combat management system. The system is capable of processing up to 30 targets, and tracking 12 targets simultaneously. China revealed the export version, FM-80, in the 1989 Dubai Air Show.

Self-Propelled HQ 7

The 206th Institute has developed a 4x4 self-propelled version of the HQ-7. 4 x HQ-7 SAMs and a tracking radar system are mounted on a 4x4 vehicle, or towed vehicle.

HQ-7B (FM-90)

In 1998, the China National Precision Machinery Import and Export Corporation (CNPMIEC) produced an improved HQ-7 with faster and longer-range missiles, with an IR-tracking camera. This version received the export designation FM-90.


Picture
HQ-7
Picture
A four unit Land-based HQ-7B launcher.

LY-60/FD-60/PL-10/HQ-6/6D/64 

The LY-60/FD-60/PL-10/HQ-6/6D/64 is a family of Chinese missiles, largely based on the Italian Selenia Aspide missile - itself based on the American AIM-7 Sparrow missile. There are four versions of the basic design, three of which are surface-to-air and one air-to-air.
Development of the LY-60 was precipitated by the Chinese requirement for a beyond-visual-range (BVR) weapons system. Directly copying the AIM-7 proved unsuccessful, after which China purchased a number of Alenia Aspide missiles from Italy. Due to the urgent need for BVR air-to-air missiles, PL-11 was given the priority. The very first batch of PL-11 was an Aspide assembled in China, but using Italian components, and it was accepted into Chinese service in the same year. However, hopes of locally manufacturing the missile under license collapsed after the Tiananmen Square crackdown of 1989.

PL 10

The PL-10 air-to-air missile was developed for the People's Liberation Army Air Force and is carried by Jian J-8B fighters. Although it was the first member of the LY-60/PL-10/HQ-6/6D/64/DK-10 series to be developed, it was actually the second member to become operational, after the HQ-6, the surface-to-air version.


HQ-6

The HQ-6 was the second member of the LY-60/PL-10/HQ-6/6D/64/DK-10 family developed. The entire SAM system consists of four truck mounted radars (one search/surveillance radar and three tracking/fire control radars), one power supply truck, and six transporter erector launchers (TEL) s. The missile itself is directly derived from the air-to-air version PL-11. Unlike the Italian Aspide which uses containers as launchers, HQ-6 uses missile launching rails (MLR) instead, and each truck-mounted launcher has two MLRs/missiles.  It entered service before the air-to-air version PL-10, despite an earlier start by the PL-10.

Specifications:
​

Length                                : 5.99 m
Diameter                             : 134 mm
Wingspan                           : 1.23 m
Weight                                : 600 kg
Speed                                 : Mach 1
Maximum Flight Speed      : 150 meters per second
Maximum maneuvering overload: 5 g
Maximum maneuvering overloads [interception]: 1 g
Range
Normal                               : 5 meters - 40 meters
Slant                                   : 14 meters - 16 meters


Picture

LY60

LY 60 is a medium-low-altitude surface-to-air missile system. The system is mainly intended for the interception of military aircraft and missiles flying in medium-low altitude. It has a command control system with artificial interference capability thanks to the use of microprocessor intelligent module technology.  In October 1994, the "Lieying (Falcon)-60," was deployed to China's air defense troops.
The "Lieying-60" search radar can simultaneously track up to 40 targets, and the tracking radar is able to simultaneously track 12 targets, and engage three targets at once. The use of the moving target tracking processing system and frequency agility technology also gives the system good anti-jamming capability. LY60 has a range of 18 kilometers and reaches a maximum altitude of 12 kilometers.
The Air Force version of the LY-60 is the FD-60 semi-active radar-guided air-to-air missile carried by the J8B fighter plane, which is very similar to the Aspide AAM of Italy in appearance

LY 60N

Naval version of LY 60 called as LY 60N. The LY60N SAM is being deployed in place of the HQ61 SAM used in the Jiangwei-class frigates. Compared with the HQ61 with a range of 12 kilometers and maximum altitude of 10 kilometers, The LY60N is installed in Jiangwei B-class frigates. Every launch system features a sextuple launchers and each launcher contains four LY60N missiles, for a total of 24 missiles. The wings of the LY60N are foldable. In comparison, the LY60 of the ground army version features quadruple launchers, each of its launcher contains one missile, and its missile wing is not foldable.
The system adopted as the ship borne vertically-launched air defense system of the Chinese Navy's "Luhai"-class missile destroyers, with at least eight vertical launch barrels with a total of 32 missiles.
In addition, the Shanghai Academy has also developed a portable ground-to-air version called the FY-60.

Picture
HQ 6A
Picture
LY 60
HQ-64

The HQ-64 is an improved version of the HQ-6, utilizing experience gained from LY-60, with firepower doubled by increasing the number of missiles for each truck mounted launcher from two to four, and by replacing the MLR mounting by missiles in container box launchers. Both the missile and TELs are directly developed from the LY-60. Although the missile is smaller than that of the HQ-6, the performance actually improved due to technological advances. HQ-64 passed state certification test and was accepted into Chinese service in 2001. The reaction time for the system in fully automated mode is 9 seconds and the maximum speed of the missile is increased to Mach 4. Other improvements is mainly concentrated on ECCM capability, and many Chinese internet sources have claimed that the HQ-64 is derived from HQ-6-4, meaning 4 missiles (for each launcher) version the HQ-6.
Picture
Picture


HQ-6D/ LY60D airport point-defense SAM

The HQ-6D is the latest development of the family, and it is basically a HQ-64 system with an addition of a command vehicle. Each command vehicle is able to command & control up to four HQ-64 batteries, thus linking up independent HQ-64 batteries to form an integrated air defense net work, and each HQ-6D network can in turn be integrated into larger air defense network. The standard time that the HQ-6D SAM system takes from travelling order to being ready to fire is less than 15 minutes, but a highly skilled crew can reduce this time to just 9 minutes.

Specifications

Warhead                 : 33Kg
Propulsion              : Solid Rocket Motor
Range                     : 18Km
Guidance                : SARH/ARH
Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture

HQ-61

The Hongqi-61 is the first generation Chinese Semi Active Radar Homing guided surface-to-air missile . It is classified by Chinese as a low-to-medium air defense missile, and the series includes both land-based and ship borne versions, and an anti-radiation version and air-to-air version (designated as PL-11) have also been developed. The naval and anti-radiation versions have been retired from Chinese service but PL-11, the air-to-air version and HQ-61A, the land-based mobile version are still currently in limited service with the Chinese military.

HQ-61B: The naval version of HQ 61 was designated as HQ-61B.
 
HQ-61A
To improve the land-based air defense for Chinese ground force, China developed a mobile low-to-medium level surface-to-air missile based on HQ-61B, and named the mobile SAM system as HQ-61A.
HQ-61A SAM system consists of three vehicles: launcher / transporter, radar vehicle, C2I vehicle, all of which are based on the same SX250 6 x 6 cross country truck to simplify logistics and reducing operational cost. In November, 1984, two initial trials were completed, the missile entered Chinese service in late 1986.

Specifications
Length                    : 3.99 meter
Diameter                 : 0.286 meter
Wingspan               : 1.166 meter
Weight                    : 310 kg
Speed                     : Mach 3
Range                     : > 10 km
Ceiling                    : 8 km
Kill probability       : 64% - 80% (single shot)
 
HQ-61 ARM (YJ-5): In addition to SAM versions of HQ-61, an anti radar version is also developed in the 1980s. China was seeking a replacement after the termination of Fenglei-7 anti-radar missile (FL-7). China gained the experience via the reverse engineering attempt of AGM-45 Shrike, and to a much less extend, that of AGM-78 Standard ARM. Samples of both missiles were mainly obtained from down American jets and provided to China by North Vietnam during the Vietnam War, though several unexploded samples launched by American jets failed to detonate were also transferred. HQ-61 ARM is basically a HQ-61 missile equipped with the guidance and control system of FL-7.

HQ-61C: HQ-61C is the upgrade of previous version, excluding the ARM. The primary improvement is in the electronics. Fully solid state and highly digitized microelectronics are used to upgrade both the missile itself and the associating C3I system. In addition to simplifying logistics and reducing costs, the upgraded system can also be automatically linked to larger air defense networks, with all information transmitted electronically in real time.

PL-11: PL-11 is the air-to-air derivative of HQ-61. The first successful flight test of PL-11 was conducted in 1992, and the missile entered Chinese service in the mid-1990s. PL-11 did not enter Chinese service in very large numbers because it was only used as a stopgap measure until the more advanced PL-12 became available. 

​
Picture


HQ-17

The HQ-17 is an all-weather low to medium altitude, short-range surface-to-air missile system.
In 1996, China ordered 14 Tor-M1 missile systems from Russia which were delivered under contract in 1997. In 1999, another contract for 13 Tor-M1 systems was signed between Russia and China. Delivery of the systems took place in 2000. Around 2000, China sought to license-produce the Tor-M1 missile system locally. However Russia reportedly refused. As a result China decided to reverse-engineer the missile system.

In early 2015, the HQ-17 was publicly revealed. In the 2018 Zhuhai Airshow exhibition, a new wheeled variant named FM-2000 was unveiled.

Although reverse engineered from the Tor-M1, the HQ-17 is not a direct copy and instead features many improvements. Unlike the Tor system, the HQ-17 incorporates an indigenous all terrain tracked launch vehicle, a new identification friend or foe (IFF) antenna on top of the search radar, an electronically scanned array radar for better performance against jamming and the ability to datalink with other Chinese systems.
The HQ-17 operates in batteries. A typical battery consists of 4 launch vehicles, reloading vehicles and other support vehicles. The battery is also supported by a mobile command post, based on a tracked chassis. Although a battery of the HQ-17 usually operates independently, it can also use targeting data from other surveillance radars.
The HQ-17 is designed to keep up with mechanized troops like tank battalions, frontline units to provide air cover from helicopter and drone attacks on the move, as well as protect military sites. Its vertically launched missiles also allow it to simultaneously engage multiple cruise missiles.
The HQ-17 is physically similar to the Tor-M1. Its slant range for intercepting flying aerial targets is 1.5 km to 15 km, slightly longer than the Tor-M1, and operates at an altitude of 10 m to 10 km.The missile guidance system comprises of semi-active radar homing guided by the radar on the launch vehicle.
The launch vehicle of the HQ-17 integrates launchers with missiles and radar on a single chassis and thus is able to operate independently.
Each launch vehicle carries one PESA search radar and one AESA guidance radar. Notably, the location of the radars are opposite for the tracked variant and wheeled variant. For the tracked variant, the search radar is located at the front and guidance radar at the rear. For the wheeled variant, the search radar is located at the rear and guidance radar at the front.
Each launch vehicle carries 2 x 4 missile canisters for a total of 8 missiles, which can be reloaded 4 missiles at a time by a Shaanxi SX2306 reloading truck equipped with a crane.
 
Variants
 
HQ-17: Tracked variant (Base Variant)
The vehicle weighs around 32 tons, and is about 8 m long, 3.2 m tall and 4 m wide. It is reportedly powered by a roughly 750-800 hp diesel engine and has a maximum speed of 65 km/h and range of 600 km. It is manned by a crew of 3.

HQ-17A: Wheeled variant
HQ-17A is a short-range air defense system. It evolved from the HQ-17 . Pre-production version of the HQ-17A was first publicly revealed in 2018 in the form of FM-2000 air defense missile system. Operational HQ-17A systems were first publicly revealed in 2019 during a military parade.

The HQ-17A uses a new wheeled chassis instead of tracked. In terms of capabilities it is broadly similar to the Russian Tor M2 system. Overall it resembles versions of the Tor.. Some components of the HQ-17A, such as the radar, might be actually more advanced than those of the Russian Tor.
​
The HQ-17A launcher vehicle carries both radars and missiles. A total of 16 missiles. Missiles are launched vertically. Maximum range of fire is around 15 km. Missiles can reach their targets at an altitude of up to 10 km. Hit probability of a single missile against aircraft is up to around 45-80%.

The wheeled launch vehicle is produced by Dongfeng Motor Corporation and is a 6x6 chassis similar to a Belarusian MZKT-6922. The vehicle weighs around 30 tons, and is about 9.7 m long, 3.1 m tall and 3.7 m wide. Features include an all-wheel drive system, central tire pressure system and a lightly armored which provides some degree of protection against small arms fire and shell splinters. It is reportedly powered by a roughly 400 HP diesel engine and has a maximum speed of 80 km/h and range of 800 km.

Supposedly, the wheeled launch vehicle was produced because of a flaw of the tracked variant, which was having a long lag time between stopping and shooting.

A battery of the launcher vehicles is also supported by other associated vehicles, such as command post vehicle and resupply vehicles. Two types of resupply vehicles were observed. One is based on a FAW MV3 truck chassis with 6x6 configurations. Another is based on a new Shaanxi SX2306 heavy high mobility truck chassis with 8x8 configurations. Both reloading vehicles are fitted with cranes and carrier reloads missiles.

Picture
HQ 17A

FM-2000: Export designation for wheeled variant

The FM-2000 short-range air defense weapon system is mainly used to provide air defense support for mechanized troops and key military sites. The FM-2000 was unveiled during the China Air Show in November 2018. FM 2000 offers similar performance as HQ 17. FM-2000 supposedly features upgraded electronic countermeasures (ECM) in the form of counter-jamming capability against multiple targets.
The FM-2000 features two radar units with different purposes, search radar mounted at the top rear of the turret which is used to detect targets and one tracking radar to engage targets located at the front of the turret. The missile launcher consists of a box container extending down below the level of the hull top, holding ready to fire missiles in the vertical position. The FM-2000 also features upgraded electronic countermeasures (ECM) in the form of counter-jamming capability against multiple targets.

Picture
Picture


FM-3000

FM3000 is a 30 km range surface-to-air missile system based on the HQ-17. FM-3000 missile system was unveiled by China Aerospace Science and Industry Corporation at the 2014 Zhuhai Airshow. It uses a 6x6 TEL truck with 8 missile tubes. Engagement range is 30 kilometres against aircraft and 20 kilometres against missiles. It features rotating rotary phased-array radar. Guidance is inertial, plus low speed command guidance and terminal active radar homing. It can simultaneously intercept 8 targets with a reaction time of 4-8s. Chinese Internet claims that, the FM-3000 is also able to detect and destroy stealth aircraft. FM-3000 is particularly suitable for defense against precision guided munitions such as air-to-ground tactical missiles and laser-guided bombs.
The system features advanced technologies, such as three-dimensional rotary phased array radar, the multifunctional radar is capable of scanning 360 degrees, tracking targets and then guiding missiles to their targets. Each combat unit can handle 32 incoming targets from different directions within a short time.

Picture
Picture

​HQ 17AE

HQ 17AE is the latest version of the HQ-17 air defense system, which has been in service with China’s People’s Liberation Army (PLA) since 2015. It is unclear whether the HQ-17AE is just a new designation for the FM-2000, or whether it is a distinct variant that uses a transporter, launcher, and radar (TLAR) vehicle more closely based on the HQ-17A TLAR design.
The HQ-17AE, dubbed a “low altitude aircraft hunter”, is designed to keep up with frontline units like tank battalions and protect them from drone and helicopter attacks. It consists of a six-wheeled launch vehicle carrying eight short-range air-defence missiles and a solid-state phased-array radar system. Chinese state media Global Times lauded the new system’s capabilities, describing it as a “perfect choice” to accompany troops or defend key facilities. The HQ-17AE’s advanced vertical cold launch capability and rotatable tail wings give it a fast reaction time and ability to adapt to complex electromagnetic environments on the battlefield, it said.
The HQ-17AE has detection radar which can scan 25km while it is on the move while a second radar tracks and engages once a target has been identified. Each of its eight missiles can track four different targets at the same time. The HQ-17AE can also intercept attacks from tactical air-to-surface missiles, subsonic cruise missiles, stealth aircraft and supersonic cruise missiles and rockets.
Picture
An HQ-17AE troop-accompanying field air defense missile system in action
Picture

HQ 18

The HQ-18 is a highly-capable, air and missile defense system developed by China; most scholars agree it is directly reverse-engineered from the Russian S-300V system, but relatively little information is publicly known about the differences between the two systems. A typical HQ-18 battery contains between two and six launchers, each of which can hold four missiles.

HQ 12 (KS-1)

The KaiShan-1 (Hong Qi-12) is the first Chinese aerial defense system to feature a phased-array radar, with each variant having a further range than the last. A typical HQ-12 battery includes one planar passive phased-array radar (PPAR), four launchers preloaded with two missiles each, and 16 additional missiles, along with command-and-control and generator units. The PLA claims HQ-12 has a single-shot kill probability of 89 percent. The KS-1 missile was developed for the PLA as a replacement for the HQ-2(a reverse-engineered copy of the Soviet S-75 Dvina). This launcher could be mounted on a 6x6 truck to increase system mobility or be emplaced in the standard fashion.
The HQ-12 was primarily designed to destroy UAVs and helicopters, but its more advanced variants are also capable of destroying ballistic and cruise missiles flying at speeds exceeding Mach 3. While the original HQ-12 system is largely obsolete, the KS-1A and KS-1C offer reliable protection for Chinese military assets and coastal cities.

The first successful test-firing of the missile was in 1989; KS-1 development was complete in 1994. The missile was first publicized in 1998 at the Zhuhai Airshow. An improved version, the KS-1A, which greatly enhanced its minimum altitude and range, has already been developed and first appeared at the sixth Zhuhai airshow in 2006. It was rumored that this improvement also increased its ability to engage targets maneuvering at a higher g force. In 2007 HQ-12A enters service in the PLA.
The HQ-12 is a much shorter ranging system, intended to provide an inner layer defense, inside the footprint of the HQ-9. It is also mobile, and the radar looks to be based on much the same technology as the HQ-9, making it hard to detect, hard to track and hard to jam.

Variants
Differences between the variants are primarily about different radar units

HQ-12/KS-1(Base Variant)
​

KS-1 typically uses SJ-212 engagement radar, derived from the Russian 30N6E1 Tomb Stone, which can track up to 50 targets and engage three of them at ranges up to 27 kilometers. The initial version with SJ-202 engagement radar, which adopts a simple horn instead of a lens arrangement, the missile seeker has a traditional parabolic antenna, and can guide up to two missiles against one target. Range is in excess of 40 km. The KS-1 resembles the US SM-1 or SM-2 Standard. HQ-12 air defense system intended as the replacement for the SA-2/HQ-2 air defense system.
 
HQ 12 was successfully tested in 1989, and the tests were completed in 1994. The KS-1 did not enter military service in China when development was completed in 1994. A likely reason was the poor maneuvering capability of the missile. It could only engage targets with a 5g maneuvering capability, making the KS-1 largely ineffective for defending against new-generation combat aircraft.

HQ-12A (KS-1A)

In the late 1990s an improved KS-1A model came out with new target detection / tracking radar maneuvering. Many experts’ believes that china obtained some technology from overseas for KS 1A Radars, possibly from Israel.
It was designed to engage missiles as well as aircraft. It is the first Chinese SAM to adopt an indigenous planar passive phased array engagement radar, designated the H-200, which can simultaneously track multiple targets 100+ km away, it can guide six missiles to three targets at the same time (two missiles at each target). The new radars substantially improve the systems performance over the original KS-1. The missile has also made the improvement, uses the double thrust force solid propellant engine, the maximum range is 50 kilometers, versus the original 27 kilometers. KS 1A got Initial Operational Capability (IOC) in 2007.
KS-1A has used two types of engagement radar; the original HT-233 radar has a range of 50 kilometers, and the newer H-200 radar has a range of 70 kilometers and can track up to 100 targets. H-200 consists of an antenna station, placed on a four-axle trailer , and a hardware container on the chassis of Taian TA5150A cross-country vehicle with the wheel arrangement 6x6 . Later, there were versions of this radar, placed on two Taian TA5270A (6x6) trucks. The antenna device of the H-200 radar is a phased antenna array of circular rotation with digital control of the beam position, which is similar in size to that of the HT-233 radar of the HQ-9. In some cases a KS-1A Fire Unit receives early warning of enemy ballistic missile launch, along with direction and time-of-arrival data. Some news reports said that the new search-track radar is in fact a synthesis of the American AN/MPQ-53 and the Russian S-300 system radar.
The HQ-12A air defense system is mounted on 6x6 trucks..Standard deployment of a KS-1A SAM battery typically includes, 1 Planar Passive phased array radar (PPAR), 4 launchers, each with 2 missiles and other support equipment.  The KS-1A radiofrequency guided missile has a maximum range of 50 kilometers and flies at Mach 3. It is said that this missile system has limited capability against cruise missiles and unmanned air vehicles (UAVs).
To date, the HQ-12 air defense system is largely obsolete. However, its mass production and deployment continues (Probably Upgraded with latest technology). The air defense forces of the People's Republic of China have at least 20 air defense divisions HQ-12. Components of the KS-1A system such as the modern planar array engagement radars could be used for upgrading legacy HQ-2 and S-75 systems, dramatically improving their performance.
 
HQ-12C (KS-1C)

KS-1C was developed by the China Aerospace Science and Industry Corporation (CASIC). Range was increased to 70 km, and engagement altitude to 27 km. Along with using the H-200 radar, KS-1C fires individually-launched, canister-encased missile rounds instead of paired, rail-mounted missiles; this effectively doubles the number of potential interceptors available in each battery. KS-1C features canister-encased missile rounds, rather than the paired rail-mounted missiles of the earlier variants.


Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture
HQ 12A

HQ-22 / FK-3

In 2016, China unveiled the advanced HQ-22 and its identical downgraded export designation, FK-3. FK 3 can be seen as a predecessor of the HQ-22.
​
The HQ-22 is developed by Jiangnan Space Industry, also known as Base 061, part of China Aerospace Science & Industry Corporation Limited (CASIC). HQ-22 is a second-generation variant of the HQ-12, which features a medium-long engagement range of 150 to 170 km and an effective altitude from 50 m to 27 km. It is relatively cheaper to produce than the HQ-9 and will form one of the mainstays of China's air defense system, replacing the Cold-War era HQ-2. The complex was first presented at Air show China 2016. So far it is one of the most capable air defense missile systems of China.
HQ 22 is designed to destroy aircraft, unmanned aerial vehicles, cruise missiles and helicopters of the enemy at all altitudes of their combat application, day and night, in any weather conditions. HQ 22 has been designed to withstand to electronic countermeasures and operate in heavy jamming environments. The HQ-22 is sometimes referred as indigenous equivalent of the Russian S-400. It is actually not, as the Russian S-400 is a more capable system.
The first unit to receive the HQ-22 was the PLA division of the Beijing Air Defense System located in Lianshui County, Hebei Province. According to information published in the Western media, 13 HQ-22 battalions were deployed in 2018.    A typical battery of HQ-22 includes 3 launcher vehicles. A battery can engage 6 air targets simultaneously.
The missiles are equipped with a semi-active radar CNS complemented by a two-way radio command line for data transmission.  The flight is controlled by a combined guidance system. At the initial stage of flight (up to 75 km) is implemented radio command guidance, at the final - by the method of TVM (Track-via-missile - escort through the missile), combining command guidance with a semi-active. The use of this method of guidance allows reducing the sensitivity of the system to various measures of electronic counteraction, makes it possible to ensure the flight of the missile on the optimal trajectories and hitting targets with high efficiency.
HQ-22 is mounted on 8x8 TA5450 vehicle. TAS5450 is equipped with a diesel engine Deutz BF6M1015CP with an output of 517 hp and gearbox WSK400 of German company ZF. Maximum speed is 65 km/h. TAS 5450 has a four-door fully protected cabin with air conditioning system. When deployed in combat position, the radar is mounted on hydraulic supports. Judging from the chassis this missile system is mainly designed for traveling on hard surface roads.

Specifications
Range: 5Km -150Km
Altitude: 50m – 27Km
Guidance: SARH, with 2 way Data link
 

Picture
HQ 22
Picture
Picture


DK-10 (Sky Dragon 50)
​

The DK-10, also known as the Sky Dragon 50, is a surface-to-air missile system developed by Chinese arms manufacturer Norinco. It was designed to be a competitor to the HQ-16 (LY-80), but has not been adopted by the People's Liberation Army for service as the HQ-16 has been preferred. Instead, it has been exported for use by foreign armed forces.
The DK-10 missile is derived from the PL-12 air-to-air missile in service with the PLAAF. The DK-10 missile inherits the active radar seeker of the PL-12 but is physically wider and longer due to the addition of a booster. The maximum range of the SAM is around 50 km and an engagement altitude of between 30 meters and 20 km.
A typical battery consists of one IBIS 150 3D radar vehicle, one fire distribution vehicle and up to six launch vehicles. Each launch vehicle consists of a 6x6 Beiben Truck Model 2628 carrying 4 ready-to-launch missile canisters.
The IBIS 150 3D radar has a range of over 130km. The radar can simultaneously track 144 targets and engage 12 targets by guiding a total of 24 missiles, with two missiles against each target to ensure that the minimum probability of kill is greater than eighty percent. Other than the IBIS 150 radar, it can also used intelligence received from superior command & control systems.
In November 2014, the Sky Dragon 50 air defense system was placed on exhibition at the Zhuhai Airshow 2014. It was revealed that the Sky Dragon 50 system is formed by one command centre vehicle, one IBIS130 search radar vehicle and up to 6 launch vehicles, each carrying 4 missiles. A new code name GAS2 was also published in promotion materials.
In 2014, it was reported that the Rwandan Armed Forces has purchased at least 4 launchers of the Sky Dragon 50.  In 2017, the Sky Dragon 50 was sold to the Moroccan Armed Forces.

DN 2 interceptor


Dong Neng-2 is an anti-satellite missile of the People's Liberation Army, developed in the early 2010s. It is designed as a low-earth orbit interceptor which destroys orbiting satellites by high speed kinetic impact.
 
DN 3 Interceptor


The DN-3 is known as a direct-ascent anti-satellite missile that destroys satellites with a warhead that rams into orbiting systems at high speeds. DN 3 is for destroying spy satellites and Navigational satellites in high orbit. The DN-3 is also said to have the capability to intercept ballistic missiles in flight.  DN3 could be a modified version of the DN-2.  Information Regarding DN-3 is not available in public.
 
Richard Fisher, a China military affairs specialist, said the DN-3 appears to be based on the Kuaizhou-1 (KZ-1) mobile space launch vehicle. Fisher, a senior fellow at the International Assessment and Strategy Center, said the DN-3 could be capable of hitting satellites more than 18,640 miles away in space – more than enough to reach large US surveillance satellites that occupy orbit 186 to 620 miles from earth.
Picture
DN 3 Warhead

Russian Air defense systems

Tor-M1

In 1996, China ordered 14 Tor-M1 missile systems from Russia which were delivered under contract in 1997. In 1999, another contract for 13 Tor-M1 systems was signed between Russia and China. Delivery of the systems took place in 2000. Around 2000, China sought to license-produce the Tor-M1 missile system locally. However Russia reportedly refused. As a result China decided to reverse-engineer the missile system.

S-300 PMU-2

The Chinese armed forces were the first customer of the Russian-made S-300PMU2, a long-range air defense missile system able to destroy aircraft, cruise missiles and theater ballistic missiles in intense clutter and jamming environments.

The S-300PMU2 can fire the 48N6E2 surface-to-air missiles can engage aerial targets with a range from 3 to 200 kilometers, at altitudes between 10 to 27,000 meters. The S-300PMU2 has also the ability to detect and destroy anti-ballistic missiles with a range between 5 to 40 kilometers and altitudes between 2,000 to 25,000 meters.
The S-300PMU2 air defense missile system can engage up to 6 targets simultaneously while providing guidance for up to 12 missiles - two missiles per target ensuring target kill. In addition, highly automated detection and acquisition procedures provide outstanding performance over previous SAM systems.
“S-300V has two different versions distinguished by the missile it uses: The SA-12A Gladiator is used primarily for targeting aircraft, whereas the SA-12B Giant is primarily for countering tactical ballistic and cruise missiles. The Gladiator has a range of 75 km and a maximum altitude of 25 km, and the Giant has a range of 100 km and an altitude ceiling between 30 and 40 km. The S-300V systems uses phased-array sector-scan radar with a range of 175 km and can track up to 16 targets simultaneously,” the report noted.
“A modified version of the S-300V system was revealed in 1998, called the S-300VM, or “Antey-2500.” The Antey-2500 variant has a range of 200 km, a max altitude of 30 km, and can engage 24 targets simultaneously.

 S-400 Triumf

China became also the first foreign buyer of Russia’s most advanced S-400 Triumph surface-to-air missile systems. Russia signed a contract with China on the delivery of two regimental sets of S-400 in 2014. The first regimental set of S-400 was delivered to China in the spring of 2018. The Chinese military successfully test-fired the missile launchers and hit an aerodynamic and ballistic target.

To Know the complete details of S 400 Visit : ​http://fullafterburner.weebly.com/next-gen-weapons/s-400-the-impenetrable-shield

Next Part will cover Chinese Radars and Integrated air defense system. 


We create this kind of contents sparing time from our personal lives. It is difficult to make such content as it involves a lot of Background Research. We will continue to do so for a foreseeable future as we are planning to buy our own website domain. It is absolutely important that we should remain financially strong to bring such content. We request readers to contribute some amount for our cause.
Even a small amount of Rs. 20 as much as your daily street snack to whatever you wish is acceptable. You can contribute us by scanning the UPI QR Code. 
Picture
Part - 2 Chinese Radar Systems
Part-3 Indian SAM Systems
Part-4 Indian Radar Systems
0 Comments

Military balance India Vs China Cruise Missiles

10/11/2020

0 Comments

 
Introduction
Cruise missile is a type of guided missile. Cruise missiles differ from ballistic missiles in that they fly towards their target at lower altitudes, remaining within the Earth’s atmosphere throughout their trajectory. Cruise missiles are typically armed with conventional or nuclear warheads, but can also be equipped with chemical or biological warheads. In this article you can read about cruise missile of India & China.

BrahMos

The BrahMos (PJ-10) is a joint venture between the Russian Federation's NPO Mashinostroyeniya and Defence Research and Development Organization (DRDO), who together have formed BrahMos Aerospace.
BrahMos is the world's fastest anti-ship cruise missile in operation. The land-launched, Air-launched and ship-launched versions are already in service.
 
Compared to existing state of the art subsonic cruise missiles BrahMos Has
  • 3 times more velocity
  • 2.5 to 3 times more flight range
  • 3to4 times more seeker range
  • 9 times more Kinetic energy
  • The missile has identical configuration for land, sea and sub-se platforms and uses a transporter launch canister for transportation, storage and launch
 
Special Features
  • Universal for multiple platforms
  • “Fire and forget”
  • High supersonic speed all through the flight
  • Long flight range with varieties of flight trajectories
  • Low radar signature
  • Shorter flight times leading to lower target dispersion and quicker engagement
  • Pin point accuracy with high lethal power aided by large kinetic energy on impact
 
Currently BrahMos Aerospace is looking at upgrading the current BrahMos engine from 3 to 5 Mach. Scientists are trying to develop a supersonic-hypersonic engine. For that BrahMos aerospace want to do the thermal management with some kind of coatings on different components so that they can withstand high temperature. This will make current BrahMos supersonic Missile into a mach 5 hypersonic cruise Missile.
Picture
Land based BrahMos

Land based weapon complex comprises of four to six Mobile Autonomous Launchers (MAL) controlled by a Command Post (MCP), and a Mobile Replenishment Vehicle (MRV).
MAL is an autonomous vehicle with its own communication, power supply and fire control system. Three BrahMos missiles placed in three independent containers are installed on the MAL. Land based system is also equipped with Inertial Navigation System and Global Positioning System. . The advanced seeker of BrahMos is unique which helps it to hit targets, which are insignificant in terms of size, in a cluster of large buildings. India is now the only nation in the world with this advanced technology. BrahMos became the only supersonic cruise missile possessing advanced capability of selection of a particular land target amongst a group of targets, providing an edge to the user with precise hit.

Special Features
  • Least number of Ground Systems
  • Autonomous launcher that can launch three missiles on three different targets or in a variety of other combinations near simultaneously.
  • Highly advanced command and control system capable of operating in C4I environment.
  • Modular configuration capable of adjusting itself to the user or equipment based on the threat perception.
  • Easy maintenance and longer life
  • Air – conditioned control crew cabin with NBC protection
 
Indian army inducted the land attack Block-1 variant from 2007.

The advanced Block-2 variant of the missile with supersonic steep dive and target discrimination capabilities has also inducted.

Block III has advanced guidance and upgraded software, incorporating high manoeuvres at multiple points and steep dive from high altitude. The steep dive capability of the Block III enables it to hit targets hidden behind a mountain range. It was deployed in Arunachal Pradesh and Ladakh. It can engage ground targets from an altitude as low as 10 meters for surgical strikes without any collateral damage.
 
Mobile Autonomous Launcher (MAL) is the state of the art land based weapon complex. It consist of three missiles in ready to launch configuration housed in containers, most modern means of communications, radar receivers for target information and an ultra advanced Fire Control system for coordinating the launch.
The launcher is built on an all terrain TATRA vehicle. The missiles can be launched in single or salvo of 2 to 3 seconds within four minute of receiving command, depending on the commanders input, it can fire toward a single or three different targets.

The containers maintain thermal conditioning of the canisters and ensure the interface with the launch beam. While being transported, these containers are carried in horizontal position. The canister is brought to vertical position through the operation of a hydraulic system.
The MAL consists of a 40kVA diesel driven generator to maintain power supply. Besides a single phase UPS with battery backup of 15 Minutes is fitted in the vehicle.

Launcher also has various communication equipments, each operating in different frequency bands. The launcher control system LCS functions in coordination with fire control system and communication system. The MAL has a fully protected equipment cabin from where operations could be carried out in case of Nuclear Biological chemical Attack. It also has a containerized power supply system.

In a group of four the Mobile autonomous Launchers are controlled by Mobile Command Post.
The MCP provides telemetry and target data with instruction to each Mal for engaging specific targets or single target. The command post assists in integrating the MAL into the network centric battlefield area. It is equipped with all modern types of communication systems.
 
Submarine launched BrahMos
​

BrahMos missile is capable of being launched from submarine from a depth of 40 – 50 meters. The missile can be installed in a modular launcher vertically in the pressure hull of the submarine. The missile has identical configuration similar to the ship based system.
The canistered missile launch vertically, the nose cap prevents water from entering the air intake during the underwater flight. Once the missile emerges from the water, the sensors provide out of water command and the nose cap is fired for turning the missile in the desired direction to hit the target.
Submarine version of BrahMos is fully ready but there is no public information about the induction of Sub Launched BrahMos. In late January 2016, Russia confirmed that future Indian-made submarines would be armed with smaller version of the missile that could fit inside a torpedo tube.
Picture
Air launched BrahMos (BrahMos A)

The BrahMos-A is a modified air-launched variant of the missile. BrahMos A has a range of 500 km which can be launched from a Sukhoi Su-30MKI as a standoff weapon.
BrahMos A can be released from the height of 500 to 14,000 meters. After release, the missile free falls for 100–150 meters then goes into a cruise phase at 14,000 meters and finally the terminal phase at 15 meters.
 
40 IAF SU-30MKI are to undergo modifications to be equipped to carry the missile. Sukhoi had integrated with the world’s largest airborne launcher for BrahMos A. On 20 January 2020, the IAF commissioned its first squadron of Su-30MKI fighters equipped with the PJ-10 BrahMos-A missile. The IAF is expected to procure at least 200 air-launched BrahMos.
Picture

BrahMos Costal defense

On August 8 2019 Indian MoD cleared the procurement of an unknown number of Next Generation Maritime Mobile Coastal Batteries that would (NGMMCB) be fitted with supersonic BrahMos surface-to-surface cruise missile.
The DAC did not reveal an induction schedule or where the new weapons systems will be deployed. According to IHS Jane’s, the NGMMCBs could be stationed at INS Trata, a missile battery base of the Indian Navy at Mumbai.

The land-based BrahMos missiles will be an anti-ship missile fired from a land-based mobile autonomous launcher and, thus, a hybrid of the naval and Army variants. The missiles will get targeting inputs from Scanter radars. The radars can track multiple simultaneous air and surface targets up to a range of 170 km. One radar can cover up to 98,000 sq km of situational awareness. Each BrahMos NGMMCB will comprise a single command post, two radar units and two firing units with three anti-ship missiles each.
Each battery will also have a reconnaissance vehicle and two vehicles carrying Man-Portable Air Defense Missile Systems (MANPADs) to provide short-range defense against aerial targets. The systems will be delivered within two years from the date of orders being placed.
 
Extended Range BrahMos

India Joined the 34 nation Missile Technology Control Regime (MTCR) in June 2016. Which helped India to extend the range of BrahMos up to 800Km After that India successfully tested Extended range BrahMos several times , the most recent test was on 30 September 2020, where India successfully test-fired an extended range BrahMos supersonic cruise missile up to 400Km.
 
 
Specifications
​

Mass                           : 3000kg, 2500Kg (air launched)
Range                         : Up to 800 Km, 500Km (Air Launched)
Guidance                    : INS (Mid course), Active radar Homing + G3OM (Terminal)
Sea skimming             : 3-4m
Warhead                    : 200Kg (Semi armor piercing/ Nuclear), 300Kg (Air Launched)
Prolusion                    : Solid rocket booster + Liquid Fuel Ramjet
Speed                          : Mach 3, BrahMos ER Mach 3 - 4
CEP                            : 1m
 
Variants 

Surface-launched, Block I
  • Ship-launched, anti-ship variant
  • Ship-launched, land-attack variant
  • Land-launched, land-attack variant
  • Land-launched, anti-ship variant
 
Surface-launched, upgraded variants
  • BrahMos Block II land-attack variant
  • BrahMos Block III land-variant
  • Anti-aircraft carrier variant ( the missile gained the capability to attack aircraft carriers using the supersonic vertical dive )
 
Air-launched
  • Air-launched, anti-ship variant
  • Air-launched, land-attack variant
 
Submarine-launched
  • Submarine-launched, anti-ship variant (status- unknown)
  • Submarine-launched, land-attack variant (status- unknown)
 
BrahMos NG
 
BrahMos NG (next generation) - is a new lighter variant of the current BrahMos. The feasibility studies and engineering analysis are over. BrahMos NG can perfectly integrate into LCA, LCA MK-II & AMCA. BrahMos-NG will be ready in the next four years.
The weight of the missile will be slashed from 3000 kg to around 1600 kg. The BrahMos NG will also be 3 meter shorter than the 9-metre long BrahMos. BrahMos-NG will have lesser RCS and will have more advance electronic countermeasures.
BrahMos-NG will be compatible for launches through ground launch vehicles, naval assets, submarines torpedo tubes and air launch as well.
LCA Tejas and Mig 29K will carry 2 BrahMos NG.SU30mki and Rafale? will be able to carry 5 BrahMos NG. This will significantly increase the firepower of Indian Air force and navy.
 
BrahMos air to air missile
​

BrahMos aerospace is planning to develop the air-to-air version of BrahMos NG with anti-AWACS capability. The range can be in excess of 400-500 km and the first test will be sometime in the near future.
Picture

Hypersonic BrahMos (BrahMos 2K)

BrahMos aerospace is moving ahead with hypersonic version of BrahMos named BrahMos 2K.
According to latest reports BrahMos-2K will be developed in two versions. The first version will have a speed of Mach 5 it will be developed by 2024. The second version, a mach 7 capable BrahMos 2k will be developed by 2027. 
Current mach 3 capable Ramjet will be replaced with a mach 5 Ramjet engine. Mach 7 BrahMos 2 will have a scramjet engine in place of ramjet. The new scramjet engine can be upgraded to reach up to a speed of Mach 9. BrahMos Aerospace already carried out a series of lab tests at the speed of Mach 6.5.
Hypersonic BrahMos is expected to have a range in between 500km -800 Km depending on the flight profile. That is BrahMos 2K can achieve 500Km range in Low-level flight Profile and will have a range of 800Km in a High-level Flight. Similar like BrahMos, BrahMos 2K can be deployed in all kind of platforms.

Picture

Nirbhay/ITCM

Nirbhay is a long-range, all-weather; subsonic cruise missile. The missile uses a solid propellant booster motor that is jettisoned shortly after launch, switching over to a turbojet engine with a cruise speed of 0.7 Mach and a reported range of 800-1,000 km. Nirbhay has both terrain-hugging and sea-skimming capability that helps it avoid detection and counter-measures. India moves Nirbhay missiles to defend LAC at October 2020.
 
Officials at Bengaluru-based Aeronautical Development Establishment (ADE) which is in charge of the Nirbhay program also confirmed that development work on the Nirbhay program is now complete and now their focus has shifted towards development of user-specific variants for the Air force, Navy, and Army based on their requirements which they plan to accomplish within the next 3-5 years.
According to media reports, the Indian Army, not only has asked for greater range and also wants terrain hugging features along with additional navigational equipment which can attack targets even if they are hidden in mountain terrains.
 
According to media reports Nirbhay cruise missile program is closed .Nirbhay project has taken a new desi avatar with a renewed outlook and will be now known as the Indigenous Technology Cruise Missile (ITCM). The first launch of  Nirbhay/ITCM with indigenous Small Turbo Fan Engine  and RF seeker (developed by RCI, Hyderabad) is expected to be conducted at end of October 2020.
 
Specifications

Launch Weight          : 1,500 to 1,600 kg
Payload                      : 450 kg of HE/submunitions, nuclear warhead with a 12 kT yield.
Guidance                    :  INS/GPS /active-radar homing
Range                         : 1000Km
Kill Probability          : more than 90 percent (Single shot)
Speed                          : 0.7 Mach
Altitude                      : 5 meters

Picture
Nirbhay Air launched Version: Nirbhay AL-1 is believed to be an air launched version of the Nirbhay missile. Nirbhay AL-1 won’t have launch booster. It may use the same pylon developed for Air launched variant of BrahMos. A new prototype will be ready for first flight test from Sukhoi-30 by 2021.
​
Nirbhay Naval Variant: Indian Navy has asked, DRDO for a Ship-based Nirbhay Cruise missile variant with a range in excess of 1500 km and could prefer a range close to 2000 km, which DRDO is currently studying by making available extra onboard fuel in the missile and by also improving fuel burn ratio but Indian Army has come up with new requirements which can take more developmental time. Submarine launched Nirbhay was also planned.
Picture
Nirbhay Air Launched version. Picture courtesy: idrw.org
Smart Cruise Missile

DRDO is planning to develop a New Smart Cruise missile with stealth characteristics. This missile will have a range of 350-500km. This stealth cruise missile will be available in Land Attack and Anti-ship versions.  Smart missile will be an air launched weapon for IAF and Indian Navy fighter aircrafts.
Picture

SCALP
​

India got SCALP EG stealth cruise missile as part of its Rafale fighter acquisition. Rafale can carry two of the missiles.

Storm Shadow / SCALP is the air-launched long range, conventionally armed, deep strike weapon, designed to meet the demanding requirements of pre-planned attacks against high value fixed or stationary targets. Able to be operated in extreme conditions, the weapon offers operators a highly flexible, deep-strike capability based around a sophisticated mission planning system. The BROACH warhead features an initial penetrating charge to clear soil or enter a bunker, then a variable delay fuse to control detonation of the main warhead.
​
It is a fire and forget missile, programmed before launch. Once launched, the missile cannot be controlled or commanded to self-destroy and its target information cannot be changed. Mission planners programme the missile with the target air defenses and target. The missile follows a path semi-autonomously, on a low flight path guided by GPS and terrain mapping to the target area. Close to the target, the missile climbs and then bunts into a dive. Climbing to altitude is intended to achieve the best probability of target identification and penetration. During the bunt, the nose cone is jettisoned to allow a high resolution thermographic camera (Infrared homing) to observe the target area. The missile then tries to locate its target based upon its targeting information (DSMAC). If it cannot, and there is a high risk of collateral damage, it will fly to a crash point instead of risking inaccuracy.
 
Recent enhancements include the capability to relay target information just before impact, usage of one-way (link back) data link, to relay battle damage assessment information back to the host aircraft.  Another feature of the weapon is in-flight re-targeting capability, using a two-way data link.
 
 
Specifications
 
Range             : 560 km
Propulsion      : TRI 60-30 turbojet (5.4kN)
Speed              : Mach 0.8
Warhead        : 450 kg
Guidance        : INS, GPS, Terrain reference navigation, IIR seeker.

Picture

Kh-59ME 
​

The Kh-59 is a Russian TV-guided cruise missile. It is primarily a land-attack missile.
The Kh-59ME is an improved version of the Kh-59 and was introduced in the early 1990s. It features two larger fragmentation and penetration warheads, minor airframe changes, and a new propulsion system for extended range. The missile can fly at altitudes between 7 and 1,000 meters. The nose-mounted TV-sensor relays target area imagery to the launch airborne platform and the pilot selects the impact point using the aircraft-mounted APK-9ME pod.
 
Specifications

Range             : 115Km
Warhead        : 320 Kg, Cluster/ Shaped charge
Propulsion      : Solid rocket motor + R95 TP-300 turbojet/turbofan
Speed              : Mach 0.7-0.9
Guidance        : INS, TV Guidance, MMW radar seeker

Picture


Kh 29 T/Kh 29 L

The Kh-29 is a short range, supersonic air-to-surface missile family intended to destroy stationary hardened ground and surface targets. The spectrum of targets for the Kh-29 missile family are big railway and highway bridges, industrial installations, concrete runways, aircraft in reinforced concrete shelters, and surface vessels displacing up to 10,000 tons.
The Kh-29L is a semi-active laser homing variant, with a 24N1 seeker.  The Kh-29T is an electro-optical variant with a daylight television seeker.
The Kh-29T features a TV-based guidance system. The Kh-29L features a semi-active laser guidance system. Kh-29L has a range of 8–10 km.
 
Specification
Mass               : 660Kg (Kh29L), 685Kg (Kh29T)
Warhead        : 320Kg, HE armor piercing
Propulsion      : Solid rocket booster
Range             : 10Km (Kh29L), 12Km (Kh29T)
Speed              : Mach 1.2

Picture
Kh 29L


Kh 35
 
The Kh-35 is a Soviet turbojet subsonic cruise anti-ship missile. Indian Navy Brahmaputra class, Delhi class destroyers are carrying this missile. Each of these classes houses 16 of these missiles in four quadruple KT-184 launchers, angled at 30 degrees, two on either side of the bridge superstructure. All 16 Kh 35 can be ripple-fired in 2 to 3 second intervals. Su 30 MKIs carrying the air launched version of Kh 35.

Specifications

Mass               : 520Kg (air launched), 610Kg (Ship launched)
Warhead        : 145Kg, HE Fragmentation shaped charge
Propulsion      : R95TP-300 Turbojet
Range             : 130Km
Flight altitude: 4m at terminal stage
Speed              : 0.8-0.95 mach
Guidance        : INS, active radar homing (Terminal)
 
Kh 31 P

The Kh-31P medium-range supersonic anti-radiation missile is designed to counter enemy air defenses and has a high supersonic speed. It features high kill probability against radar systems that have been turned-off when attacked.
The Kh-31P is the basic anti-radiation variant of the missile with a band specific Avtomatika L-111E family interferometric seeker, which uses an array of seven cavity back spiral antennas on a gimbaled platform. The seeker can home on pulsed or CW emitters. Unique missiles are supplied with band specific seekers and these must be chosen during sortie planning. If irradiated by enemy radar, the missile can perform an evasive 10-g pull-up maneuver.

Kh 31A
​

The Kh-31A is a high speed anti-shipping missile based on the Kh-31P airframe. The Kh-31A is equipped with the ARGSN-31 jam-resistant active radar guidance system capable of discriminating the target from a dense homogenous group
 
Specifications
​

Mass                           : 610Kg (Kh 31A) 600Kg (Kh 31P)
Range                         : 25-103Km ( Kh 31A) , 110Km( Kh 31P)
Speed                          : Mach 4.5 (Terminal)
Propulsion                  : Solid rocket motor+ ramjet
Warhead                    : HE Shaped charge, 94Kg (Kh 31A), 87Kg (Kh 31P)
Guidance                    : INS+ RF Seeker (Kh 31A), INS+Passive radar (Kh31P)
Launch Platform       : Su 30MKI, Tejas, Mig 29K

Picture
Kh 35
Picture
Kh 31

Harpoon anti-ship missiles

Recently India ordered Harpoon Block II air-launched missiles for its P8I ASW aircrafts. The AGM-84L is a solid propellant sea-skimming missile with a range of up to 250Km and shall enable the Indian Navy to undertake Airborne maritime surface target engagement tactics more effectively.
Indian Navy also has 22 Harpoon submarine launched anti-ship missiles (UGM-84L Harpoon Block II).
​
Specifications
​

Range             : 250Km
Guidance        : Inertial, semi-active radar
Payload          : 224 kg
Warhead        : HE fragmentation
Propulsion      : Turbojet, solid propellant
Speed              : 0.85 Mach 


Picture
UGM 84L


HSTDV

The Hypersonic Technology Demonstrator Vehicle (HSTDV) is an unmanned scramjet demonstration aircraft for hypersonic speed flight, developed by India's DRDO. HSTDV is not a weapon itself but and is being developed as a carrier vehicle for hypersonic and long-range cruise missiles. HSTDV is a major programme to develop hypersonic technologies, so that a missile in excess of 10-12 Mach speed can be developed.
​
India on 7-sep-2020 conducted a successful test flight of the Hypersonic Technology Demonstrator Vehicle. The HSDTV has a range of uses, including missiles of the future for air defense, surveillance and reconnaissance besides in the development of energy-efficient, low cost and reusable satellite-launch vehicles.

Picture
Picture
HSTDV Cruise Vehicle


NASM

Naval Anti-Ship Missile (NASM0 is a helicopter launched anti-ship missile. NASM poster revealed first time in Def Expo 2020. At the Def Expo show NASM is specifically designated ‘SR’, confirming that a longer range version will also be planned. There may be a weapon system NASM MR? with range in excess of 150-km.

Specifications
​

Range                         : 5-55Km
Launch Platform       : helicopter
Weight                        : 375 Km
Warhead                    : 100Kg
Propulsion                  : Solid Rocket Motor
Booster Motor           : 3.5T (inline ejectable)
Sustainer Motor        : 120Kgf
Navigation                  : Midcourse INS& altimeter, Terminal IIR seeker
Cruise Altitude          : 15m in midcourse, 5m in terminal
Launch altitude         : 91m to3km
Impact point              : water Line
Speed                          : 0.8 Mach
Control                       : Aerodynamic & JVC
Target                         : Ships & patrol Boats

Picture
NASM

LRLACM

The Long Range Land Attack Cruise Missile (LRLACM) was unveiled at the recent DefExpo 2020. This new system will have a range in excess of 1000 km launched from a UVLM (Universal Vertical Launcher Module).  The unique UVLMs in operation is designed, developed and patented by BrahMos Aerospace. The missile is the result of a naval requirement projected to the Defense Research and Development Organization (DRDO). The first trials of the missile could begin in early 2023.
​
LRLACM is based on the technologies of Nirbhay Cruise missile. The LRLACM will be a vastly improved version of the Nirbhay, not just in terms of range, but also possibly its propulsion scheme.
Around 20 developmental flights are being planned of the LRLACM, tipped to be developed with completely indigenous systems. The terminal homing featured will be aided by a indigenous radio frequency (RF) seeker. Similar to Nirbhay, LRLACM too will be capable of flying at low altitude with sea-skimming capabilities.
Once DRDO completes the trial phase of the new missile, the Indian Navy is keen to place an order on development cum production partner (DCPP). An order worth Rs 5,000 crore for 200 LRLACMs will be placed on the DCPP by Indian Navy.

Picture
Picture

Chinese Cruise Missiles

CJ-10/DH 10

 
The Chang Jian (Long Sword) CJ-10 is a long range, surface-to-surface, sub sonic cruise missile system. CJ 10 which was reportedly first tested in the fall of 2004. Other reporting indicates integrated flight tests as early as 2003. China unveiled the DH-10 during its National Day Parade in 2006 .It is a land based derivative of the Kh-55/AS-15 Kent, at least six being illegally transferred  from the Ukraine to China and the detailed production engineering data packages of the Kh-55 LACM were bought from Ukraine. The Tomahawk missiles that were unexploded and purchased from Iraq, Pakistan, and Serbia  also helped Chinese to develop CJ10. Russian documents suggested a complete production facility had been transferred to Shanghai, for the development of a nuclear-armed cruise missile (KH-55).
 
The Center for Strategic and International Studies believes that the CJ-10 is a member of the Hongniao (HN) series of missiles; Ian Easton believes that the CJ-10 is the same missile as the HN-2, and that the HN-3 is the "DH-10A".
 
The second-generation LACM DH-10, ground-launched CJ 10 has a range of 1,500+ km and employs INS and TERCOM for guidance, as well as probably DSMAC for terminal guidance.
 
Ground-launched CJ-10 requires an additional small rocket booster to get the missile off the launcher where upon the engine is ignited until the missile flies aerodynamically. Air-launching version (CJ-10K) does not require a booster rocket, but only a release mechanism to drop the missile away from the aircraft before the engine takes over.
 
CJ-10 is mounted on WS2400 vehicles. WS2400 series is 20 tonne 8 x 8 cross-country vehicles, these vehicles are copies of the Russian MAZ-543/7910 8 x 8 TEL.  When used as the TEL for the CJ-10, it is designated as the PHL-03 and has a maximum road speed of 60 km/hr with a maximum range of 650km using sealed roads.  It can climb a 57% slope and cross water up to 1.1. Meters deep.


Status              : In Service, 2006-present
Range             : 1500- 2000km
Guidance     : Integrated inertial/GPS, supported by terrain contour mapping and digital scene matching for terminal homing
CEP                : 10 m.
Propulsion      : Solid Rocket Booster
Warheads       : 4 different warheads are available; a heavy variant weighing 500kg, and three 350kg variants: high explosive blast, submunition and earth penetrator.
Launch Platform: TEL

​
Picture


CJ-10 Variants

  • CJ-10K/KD-20: Air-launched version with a 1500 km range; carried by Xian H-6K.
  • DF-10A: Ground attack cruise missile. Reportedly a stealthier, more accurate, version of the CJ 10.
  • DH-2000: Supposedly a supersonic version of the DH-10A.
  • CJ-20: Upgraded Air-launched version of the CJ-10.
  • YJ-100: Anti-ship missile version with an 800 km range (H-6 bomber and Type 055 warship).
 
YJ-100
The YJ-100 is a high subsonic anti-ship version of the CJ-10 with a range of 800 km .The missile can be air-launched by the H-6K bomber and JH-7B fighter bomber. The YJ-100 will have onboard radar.
 
The YJ-100 guidance system combines the Inertial Navigation System (INS) and the Global Positioning System (GPS) for mid-course guidance; and an active radar seeker and an infrared seeker in the terminal phase. The existence of the YJ-100 long-range anti-ship missile was leaked in January 2014.

YJ-100 Ship launched
 
It is a derivative of the YJ-100 air-launched anti-ship missile. Sea-launched version may feature a shorter range if not provided with a booster or additional fuel. The existence of the sea-launched YJ-100 long-range anti-ship missile was leaked in February 2015.
While subsonic, the missile comprises with a trajectory specialized to evade interception. This provides the destroyer with an overwhelming range advantage.  The PLA Navy is estimated to be planning to deploy up to 18 of the Type 052D destroyers, with a new elongated variant (161m rather than 157m) reportedly laid down in July 2018. 
 
Status              :  In Service
IOC                 : 2020
Range             : 800-1000 Km
Warhead        : 500kg
Guidance system: INS, GPS for mid-course guidance, active radar seeker and an infrared seeker in the terminal phase.

KD-20/CJ-10K

KD-20 (K/AKD20, CJ-10K) is the first generation of modern long range Chinese ALCM in the same class of American AGM-86 and Russian Kh-55, designed to attack a variety of fixed, high-value targets. Its configuration features a cylindrical body with two retractable wings, four foldable tailfins as well as a concealed belly engine inlet. However the missile appears to lack any significant stealth features. KD-20 is based on CJ-10/DH-10/DF-10 land-based cruise missile which in turn adopted some Russian Kh-55 technology. Chinese H-6M missile carrier can carry up to 2 KD 20. As a strategic weapon, it is capable of carrying both nuclear and conventional warhead. However so far there is no indication that the missile is nuclear armed.  The missile also has a DSMAC optical window under its nose which gives it an improved accuracy. The missile can also be carried by the H-6K and H-6N missile carriers (up to 6). KD-20 is expected to be carried internally by the new H-20 strategic stealth bomber still under development.

Status              : In Service?
Range             : 2000 - 2,200km (depending on the payload it carries)
Guidance        : INS and TERCOM guidance (coupled with GPS/Beidou?)
 
Images suggested that a new variant of KD-20 (KD-20A?) has been developed. It features new high-definition imaging radar in the head section in place of DSMAC optical window which further improves its anti-jamming capability as well as its accuracy at night and in bad weather conditions.

Specifications of KD-20A (estimated)
​

Length                        : 8.9m.
Weight                        : 1.7t.
Cruising speed           : Mach 0.48-0.77.
Cruising altitude        : 40-100m.
Range                         : 3,000km.
Propulsion                  : Two stage Solid Rocket Motor

Picture


YJ-18 

The YJ-18 was developed by the China Aerospace Science and Industry Corporation (CASIC) Third Academy starting around the mid-1990s. China could deploy YJ-18 variants to replace diverse ASCMs across the PLA. The missile was finalized in 2013 and entered service in 2014. The YJ-18 bearing a close external resemblance to the supersonic Russian 3M-54E.

The YJ-18’s have greater range and speed than previous Chinese ASCMs, along with its wide deployment across PLA platforms, would significantly increase China’s antiaccess/area denial capabilities. The YJ-18 probably will be widely deployed on China’s indigenously built ASCM-capable submarines and newest surface ships by 2020, and China could develop a variant of the YJ-18 to replace older missiles in its shore-based ASCM arsenal.
YJ-18 features a multistage propulsion system, using an air-breathing engine to cruise at Mach 0.8, when the missile is about 20 nautical miles (nm) from its target, the warhead accelerates using solid rocket booster to travel at Mach 2.5 – 3.0 in a terminal phase. The more fuel-efficient subsonic stage of the YJ-18’s flight increases its overall range, and the supersonic terminal flight stage reduces the time adversary forces have to engage the missile.
YJ-18 has a range of 220-540 Km.  The YJ-18’s predecessor on many Chinese submarines, the YJ-82, has a range of about 20 nm. The YJ-18 most likely follows a sea-skimming flight path as it approaches its target. By flying only a few meters above the sea, the missile attempts to evade detection by surface radar until it breaks the radar horizon 16 to 18 nm from its target.YJ-18’s warhead weighs 300 kilograms (kg), though some other sources suggest it weighs only 140 kg.

China is focused on building a robust C4ISR system for detecting ships and aircraft over the horizon, which would provide targeting data to antiship missiles such as the YJ-18.  This system incorporates an array of ship-borne and land-based radar (including over-the-horizon radar); a constellation of imaging satellites; and a variety of intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance aircraft. However, China’s C4ISR infrastructure might be insufficient to generate and fuse the targeting information necessary to take advantage of the YJ-18’s assessed range. According to the US Department of Defense, “It is unclear whether China has the capability to collect accurate targeting information and pass it to launch platforms in time for successful [antiship missile] strikes in sea areas beyond the first island chain. Moreover, some systems in China’s C4ISR infrastructure may be vulnerable to countermeasures, such as electromagnetic warfare operations, that could degrade the ability of the PLA to detect, identify, and track enemy ships and employ antiship missiles against them in a contingency.
 
The YJ-18 most likely is capable of using waypoint navigation and onboard radar-seeking technology to navigate to its target.
 
Specifications
​

Status              : In Service
Range             : 220- 540Km
Guidance        : Active radar seeker/Beidou
Warhead        : 150- 300Kg High Explosives or Anti Radaition
Speed              : Mach 0.8, Mach 3 at terminal Stage (AShM)
Launch Platform: Type 052D, Type 055
 
Variants

China has developed several YJ-18 variants, primarily differentiated by their respective launch platforms.
YJ-18: The first production model. It was designed to launch from submarine torpedo tubes for antiship missions, and may have a shorter range than later variants. It entered service in 2015.
YJ-18A: A model designed to fit shipboard vertical launch systems (VLS). It is fitted aboard the Luyang III-class destroyer and Renhai-class cruiser. It entered service in 2015.
YJ-18B: A submarine-launched variant designed for land-attack missions. It fits in VLS tubes aboard the Song-class SS, Yuan-class SSP, and Shang-class SSN. It entered service between 2016-2019.
YJ-18C: A March 2019 report said that China was developing the YJ-18C, a land-attack variant designed to deploy in commercial shipping containers. Russia has developed a similar containerized launch system for its 3M-54 Klub-K missile, which fits four missiles into a single container.
Coastal Defense Variant: Images suggest China also deploys a truck-based YJ-18 variant for coastal defense, although U.S. government sources have not confirmed this development. It reportedly entered service around 2015. China may also be developing an aircraft-launched variant as well

Picture
Picture
YJ 18 Costal Defense variant
Picture
YJ 18A


SY-1

SY-1 is the original Chinese version of Soviet P-15 Termit missile. The main difference between P-15 Termit and SY-1 missiles is that the unreliable aneroid altimeter of P-15 Termit was replaced by a much more reliable radar altimeter in SY-1. The successor of SY-1, designated as SY-1A. SY 1A is fully solid state (electronics) with integrated circuitry and a mono-pulse terminal guidance radar seeker replacing the original conical scanning radar seeker and new radar altimeter entered service as SY-1A in early 1980s. The missile received a NATO reporting name CSS-N-1 Scrubbrush.

Specifications

Length           : 6.55 metre
Diameter        : 0.76 metre
Wingspan      : 2.4 metre
Weight           : 2,095 kg
Warhead        : 513 kg shaped charge high explosive
Propulsion     : One liquid rocket engine and one solid rocket booster
Speed             : Mach 0.8
Range             : 150 km
Cruising altitude: < 20 m
Guidance       : Inertial guidance + active conical scanning terminal guidance radar (SY-1); or inertial + active monopulse radar (SY-1A)
Single-shot kill probability: 70%

SY-2

SY-2 was a new version based on SY-1. The liquid fuel engine of SY-1 was hazardous and unreliable, so a solid fuel rocket engine was developed for SY-2. This engine also made it possible to reduce the size and weight of the missile while providing greater range. The warhead weight is also reduced, but its effectiveness was actually increased when a time-delayed semi-armor-piercing high-explosive design was adopted. The extended version developed is designated SY-2A.
 
Specification
​

Warhead                    : 365 kg shape charged high-explosive
Propulsion                 : A solid rocket engine and a solid booster
Speed                         : Mach 0.9
Range                         : 130 km
Cruising altitude       : 20 meter
Guidance                   : Inertial + active radar
Single-shot kill probability: 70%

Picture
HY-1
 
The HY-1 is a reverse engineered P-15 Termit / SS-N-2 Styx. Development of this clone commenced during the early 1960s. The missile was eventually certified for production in 1974. The HY-1 received two separate NATO reporting names, the CSS-N-2 Safflower for the ship to ship version and the CSSC-2 Silkworm for the land based coastal defense variant.
 
Variants
  • HY-1: Basic developmental version developed from the SY missiles, used only in very small numbers as land-to-ship missile for evaluation purposes. Did not enter series production and was replaced by HY-1J.
  • HY-1J: Ship-to-ship variant for Type 051 DDG
  • HY-1JA: Improved ship-to-ship variant with a new radar seeker for better anti-jamming capability and accuracy
  • HY-1A: Land-to-ship variant based on the HY-1JA
  • HY-1B: Low level target drone for the test of HQ-2A SAM
  • HJ-1YB Target drone for the test of HQ-61 SAM
 
Specifications
 
Status                          : Retired
Weight                       : 2,300 kg
Warhead                    : 513 kg shaped charge high explosive
Propulsion                 : One liquid rocket engine and one solid rocket booster
Speed                         : Mach 0.8
Range                         : 85 km 
Cruising altitude       : 100~300m (early models); <20m (later models)
Guidance                               : Inertial + active conical scanning terminal guidance radar (early models); or inertial + monopulse active radar (later models)
Single-shot kill probability: 70%
 
 
HY-2/C-201
 
The HY-2 is identical to the HY-1 but with a further stretched body. The missile features a round nose accommodating the radar seeker, a pair of mid-mounted delta wings on the middle section of missile body, and three tail control surfaces. The missile is powered by a liquid-fuel rocket motor, with a solid rocket booster attached under the missile fuselage.
The HY-2 is launched from land-based launcher and flies at an altitude of 1000 m during the initial stage of the flight. After the missile switched to the cruising mode, the flight altitude was reduced to 100 ~ 300 m. During the final stage of the flight, the missile switched on its radar seeker and dives to an altitude of 8 m until it hits the target. The single-shot hit probability is estimated to be 90%. Due to its oversized body, the HY-2 did not develop a ship-to-ship variant. The missile is obsolete and was replaced by the YJ-8 series?.
The HY-2 was widely exported to the Middle East, and was the missile most associated with the silkworm nickname.

Variants
  • HY-2: Basic variant radar-guidance land-to-ship missile *developed from the HY-1 missile
  • HY-2A: IR-guidance variant
  • HY-2AII: Improved variant of the HY-2A
  • HY-2B: Improved radar-guidance variant with a monopulse radar seeker replacing the original conical scanning radar
  • HY-2BII: Improved variant of the HY-2B with a newly designed radar seeker
  • C-201: Export designation for HY-2.
  • C-201W Extended-range variant powered by a turbojet engine replacing the original liquid-fuel rocket motor. Export only
  • YJ-6: Air launched variant of the HY-2
  • YJ-61: Improved variant of the YJ-6
 
Specifications
 
Status                                : Retired
Launch weight                 : 2,998 kg
Warhead                          : 513 kg shaped charge high-explosive
Propulsion                        : One liquid rocket engine and one solid rocket booster
Speed                                : Mach 0.8
Range                               : 200 km 
Flight altitude                  : < 20m
Guidance               : Inertial + active conical scanning terminal guidance radar (HY-2); or inertial + infrared homing guidance (HY-2A); or inertial + monopulse active radar (HY-2B)
Single-shot hit probability: 90%

Picture
Picture

C-601/YJ-6

C-601 is an air-launched version of SY-1 Anti ship cruise missiles. The missile received a NATO reporting name CAS-1 Kraken. The missile has been upgraded to be air-launched, and the air-launched version is known as C-601 (YJ-6), which is the first air-launched anti-ship missile in China. The missile received a NATO reporting name CAS-1 Kraken. Range of YJ-6/C-601 is ~100 km

C-611 /YJ 61

C-611 is an upgraded version of C-601. It has a slightly extended fuselage, and is claimed to use a higher energy density propellant mix and better engine design
These cruise missiles is widely regarded to be obsolete today and too large and slow to penetrate modern defenses on warships, the missile remains strategically important, due to its lethality and wide deployment. Used against transports, tankers, amphibious ships and other targets without defensive systems, the missile is highly lethal.
 
Range             : ~200Km
Propulsion      :  Liquid Rocket Engine
Max Speed     : 3500Km/h
Guidance        : Homing
Single shot hit probability:  70%

Picture

HY-3 (C-301)
 
The HaiYing-3 (C-301 export name; NATO codename: CSS-C-6 Sawhorse) is the active radar homing, ramjet-powered supersonic land-to-ship missile . The missile was developed in the 1980s based on the design of the HY-2 (C-201) and the ramjet technology of the cancelled YJ-1 (C-101). The development was completed in the early 1990s.
The Hy-3/C-301 is a large supersonic coastal defense anti-ship missile (AShM), and it is the basis on which two other members of the C-300 series AShM C-302 and C-303 developed from. The C-301 only saw very limited service in the People's Liberation Army Navy as a coastal defense missile and a stopgap measure in a limited scale production as more capable missiles becoming more widely available. C-301 is also used as a stopgap measure to replace the obsolete C-601 anti-ship missile, the air-launched version of the Silkworm missile carried on the Xi'an H-6 bomber, until more potent supersonic anti-ship missiles become widely available.
 
Specifications
 
Weight                        : 3,400 kg
Warhead                    : 300~500 kg time-delayed semi-armour-piercing high-explosive
Propulsion                  : 2 side-mounted ramjet engines; 4 solid propellant boost motors
Speed                          : Mach 2.5
Range                         : 180 km 
Flight altitude            : 50 m
Guidance                    : Inertial and terminal active radar


Picture



C-302

An improved C-301 version, called C-302 was later developed as an upgrade. C-302 is highly digitized and fully solid state, and the cruising altitude is also decreased further. After entering Chinese service in very limited numbers for evaluation purposes, C-302 did not enter mass production, due to the obvious shortcomings of liquid fuel rocket: the operational cost is high because periodic maintenance is required much more frequently and the safety standard during handling is also higher in comparison to solid rocket powered AShM.
C-302 was only known to be land-based, though in theory, it could be deployed by large aerial platforms. However, unlike its smaller cousin C-101 that can be carried by numerous aircraft in the Chinese inventory, the C-301 and its upgrade C-302 can only be carried by Xi'an H-6 due to their large size and weight. It is safe to conclude that as newer missiles entering services in greater numbers, the C-301/302 would eventually reduce to a sole coastal defense missile.
 
C-303

The last member of C-300 series AShM is C-303, which differs drastically from C-301 & C-302. The C-303 differs from the other two AShM in that its flight path: instead of sea-skimming, C-303 would climb to 20 km altitude first before transition to level flight, and after cruising at 20 km altitude for most its journey, the seeker of the missile of would be turned on around 50 km away from target, dive down on its target at the terminal stage in a near vertical dive in a way similar to SS-N-19. C-303 can be either launched at a slant angle like most other AShM's, or launched vertically like a rocket.
Just like its smaller cousin C-301 & C-302, C-303 only entered Chinese service in extremely limited numbers, mostly for test and trial purposes.
 
Specifications

Status                          : In Service
Warhead                    : 500Kg
Detonation                 : Semi Armor Piercing
Engine                        : Liquid rocket Motor
Range                         : 130-180Km
Speed                          : Mach 2.5
Flight Altitude           : 50m cruising
Guidance                   : active radar homing seeker (Other types of seekers being developed)
Propulsion                 : 2 side-mounted ramjet engines, 4 rocket boosters.


HY-4 /C-201W 

The HY-4 (CSS-C-7  Sadsack) is the first turbojet powered derivative . The engine is reported to be the WS-11 which is also used in some PLA UAVs. This design is a clone of the US Teledyne-Ryan CAE J69-T-41A engine, rated at 880 lbf at 22,600 rpm, used in the AQM-34 Firebee reconnaissance UAV, numerous AQM-34 Firebee’s strayed into Chinese airspace during the Vietnam conflict. The US engine itself a licensed version of the French Turbomeca Marbore.

Development of HY-4 is believed to have started in the mid-1970s, replacing the HY-2 liquid propellant sustainer motor with a small turbojet engine, and adding a monopulse active radar seeker. Apart from the substitution of the turbojet engine, the overall configuration of the HY-4 variant of the missile is similar to the HY-2. The missile has a radar altimeter which allows the cruise height to be varied between 70 and 200 m altitude, followed by a steep dive onto the target.

The HY-4 uses guidance components from later variants of the HY-2, and the basic configuration employs the common monopulse active radar seeker. The standard 512 kg shaped charge warhead is retained.
 
Variants
  • C-401: Air-launched version.
  • C-201W: Export Variant of HY-4
  • XW-41: An improved HY-4.
 
Specifications

Weight                       : 1,740 kg
Speed                         : Mach 0.8 – 0.85
Range                         : 300–500 km 
Cruising altitude       : 8 m
Propulsion                 : one turbojet engine and one solid rocket booster
 
HY-41/XW-41

The HY-41/XW-41 is an improved variant of HY-4; with a cited range performance of 200 - 300 km. XW 41 has additional GPS/GLONASS guidance. However, due to the availability of more advanced anti-ship missile with similar range, such as the C-602, the future of XW-41, like others in the Silkworm missile family, is uncertain despite its successful trials. Although still a member of Silkworm missile, the developer considers the missile was different enough to be a listed as a separate category of its own due to the amount of new technologies adopted. After the Gulf War, United Arab Emirates ordered 30 of these shore-based version for coastal defense, and accordingly to Jane's Defence Weekly, these missiles are referred by the general name Silkworm missiles, but domestic Chinese sources have claimed that these were XW-41s, though there are reports claiming these missiles are other models of Silkworm series.

Range             : 200-300 km.
Guidance        : GPS/GLONASS, Active Radar Seeker


Picture
Picture

YJ-63 /C-603

Chinese XW-41 was converted to the first indigenously developed air-to-surface precision strike missile named YJ-63. The developmental work begun in the mid-1990s and the project was completed in 2002 likely with technical assistance from Russia. In comparison to XW-41; the original radar guidance was changed to TV guidance. The original inverted Y-configuration of tail control surfaces was changed to X-configuration. Like its predecessor, XW-41, turbojet engine was adopted instead of liquid fuel rocket engine used on HY-2.
China’s H-6H and H-6K bombers carry the YJ-63.  The YJ-63 is capable of precision strikes against both land and maritime targets. The YJ-63 is often deployed on the H-6K bomber, which is designed for long-range and stand-off attacks and has a combat radius of 3,500 km.
 
Range                          :  200km
Guidance system         : Inertial/ electro-optical terminal guidance
Payload                       :  up to 500kg
CEP                             :  6m

KD-63

Newest version of YJ-63 series that entered service in 2004 - 2005. This land attack version is almost identical to C-603 in appearance, except it has a solid nose instead of a window for TV guidance optronics.
The KD-63 is carried by the modernised Xi’an H-6H (Tu-16 Badger) medium-range bomber. Each H-6H carries two KD-63 missiles on its under-wing stores stations. The missile is launched at altitudes between 200 m to 5,000 m from a dive. Once leaving the carrier aircraft, the missile drops down for 70-120 m before its engine starts. The missile is then accelerated to a sustained subsonic speed of 900 km/h and flies at a typical altitude of 600 m.
The KD-63 relies on inertial navigation, with input of datalink command (and possibly GPS signal correction) and TV terminal guidance. The missile is fitted with a CCD camera, which transfers images of the target back to the carrier bomber. The bomber’s onboard fire-control computer then sends correction command back to the missile until it hits the target. Alternatively, the missile can be guided using a manual command to line of sight (MCLOS) method, where the weapon operator manually ‘flies’ the missile remotely to its target. The communications between the missile and the carrier bomber is via the datalink antenna located underneath the bomber’s fuselage behind the bomb bay doors.
The KD-63 was designed to hit large fixed land targets, such as bridges, airport, command posts, and barracks. Its TV-seeker can lock on a typical target at a distance of 12 km. The missile’s effectiveness is greatly hampered at night or in adverse weather conditions. It is also vulnerable to enemy jamming due to its dependence on the carrier aircraft for guidance command.

Specifications

Status                          : In Service?
Powered by                :  FW-41B turbojet engine
Cruising speed           : 900km/hr
Max range                  : 180km
Min range                  : 20km
Cruising altitude        : 600m
Warhead                    : 500kg
CEP                            : 2-6m
 
KD-63B 

It was reported in February 2013 that an improved version has entered the service replacing the original KD-63 named KD 63B. It features an IIR seeker replacing the TV seeker and has a new conformal data link or GPS/Beidou antenna to replace the old TV antenna. KD-63B is capable of being fired in all-weather conditions and could have a fire-and-forget capability.


Picture
Picture


FL-series 

The FL-series was designed as land-based counterparts to the SY-series, and had a much longer production run than the SY-series. The FL-series was less expensive since it did not have to deal with more demanding conditions at sea. An added benefit was the ability to locate the missiles separately from the targeting and control systems, which improved survivability and flexibility. The SY-, HY-, and FL-series all shared the same systems.

FL-1/C-101

The FL-1 (NATO designation CSS-NX-1) was a SY-1 with a high-frequency monopulse seeker. It used a radar altimeter to cruise at 30 meters.
 
Operational                : 1980. 
Status                          : Unknown
Payload                      : 510 kg. 
Gross mass                 : 1,800 kg (3,900 lb). 
Height                         : 6.42 m (21.06 ft). 
Diameter                    : 0.76 m (2.49 ft). 
Span                           : 0.76 m (2.49 ft).
 
FL-2

The FL-2 anti-ship missiles were the land-based derivative of the SY-2. It was produced at the Nanchang Aircraft Factory 

Picture

FL-3/C301 

FL-3 is a Chinese analogue to the Russian Shaddock/Sandbox family of supersonic anti-ship cruise missiles, but employs ramjet rather than the turbojet propulsion used in the Russian designs.

The missile is based on similar technology to the C-101(Dropped YJ-1 project, but is significantly faster, and claimed to be much longer ranging. The C-301 does not appear to have been deployed in significant numbers, and was only produced in the coastal defense variant due to its large size.
 
Note: this missile may be (may not be) the same one we mentioned above as C-301. We are not sure; we can’t find any sources to prove it. But looking at the specifications it may be the same one or may be two missiles with similar capabilities. These missiles are inferior and the production was very limited.
 
 
FL-7 

In addition to developing the C-101 and C-301 supersonic anti-ship missiles which are fairly large in size, China has developed FL-7 supersonic anti-ship missile which can be carried on airplanes and warships. The Feilong-7 has an effective range of 32 kilometers and a speed of Mach 1.4. It has powerful anti-jamming capability and its supersonic flight makes terminal interception difficult

Picture

TL 10​

The TL-10 (Tian Long - 10) is a light anti-ship missile unveiled in the Zhuhai Airshow in 2004 in China.
TL-10 along with TL-6 are both developed and manufactured by Hongdu Aviation Industry Corporation, and the philosophy is identical to that of its French equivalent MM-15TT / AS-15TT light anti-ship missile developed by Aérospatiale.

There are thousands small of fast attack craft and patrol boats armed with anti-ship missiles that pose great threats, but are not cost effective to engage with traditional anti-ship missiles such as Harpoon and Exocet that are designed to engage large warships. Thus, it has been proved necessary to develop a light anti-ship missile to engage these small yet highly lethal boats. TL-10, like C-701 is the Chinese answer to this problem.

TL-10 is specifically designed to engage boats displacing 500 tons or less, and when launched, the missile will first climb to enable the seeker to acquire targets, and then immediately descend down to sea-skimming cruise altitude during its flight. Like the anti-ship version of the C-701, TL-10 is also armed with a television seeker that is interchangeable with TL-6. However, unlike the C-701 guidance has an additional command option which enables the operator to alter the targets; TL-10 is a purely fire-and-forget weapon. 
 
Western sources have claimed that the Iranian anti-ship missile Kowsar which is manufactured by the Iran Aviation Industries Organization is based on TL-10 while the Nasr is based on the TL-6.
 
TL-6

In 2004 in the PRC has been demonstrated by rocket TL-6, intended for weapons of small patrol boats and helicopters. T-6 is a solid propellant missile.  It has a launch range 35 km, assumes 30 kg armor-explosive warhead.
The TL-6 is equipped with an active radar seeker. According to the Chinese military, these relatively compact and inexpensive missiles are better suited for hitting ships with a displacement of up to 1000 tons and counteracting amphibious operations in the coastal zone. A known variant of the TL-10 with a television or IR GOS, this more compact, but structurally similar to the TL-6 rocket is designed to combat boats.
 
In service                    : 2006
Mass                           : 350Kg
Warhead                    : 30 Kg
Detonation                 : semi armor piercing
Engine                        : Solid Rocket Motor
Range                         : 4 to 35 Km
Speed                          :  mach 8-9
Flight altitude            : 12m
Launch Platform       : Air & Surface
 

Picture
Picture

 
FL-8

FL-8 is the cheaper coastal defense version of TL-10. Following the tradition of Silkworm missile, a land-based version with the lowest requirement is also developed for this missile: as the missile is stored in a controlled environment in a warehouse on land, the salinity, temperature and relative humidity requirements for the missile itself are greatly reduced. Because it is designed and deployed on land, the associate C4I systems can be located separately: the distributed system prevents electromagnetic interference, and if the C4I system is attacked, the distributed nature of the FL-8 would greatly reduce casualties and damage.

FL-10
FL-10 is the cheaper coastal defense version of C-701 anti-ship missile. Following the tradition of Silkworm missile, a land-based version with the lowest requirement is also developed for this missile: as the missile is stored in a controlled environment in a warehouse on land, the salinity, temperature and relative humidity requirements for the missile itself are greatly reduced. Because it is designed and deployed on land, the associate C4I systems can be located separately: the distributed system prevents electromagnetic interference, and if the C4I system is attacked, the distributed nature of the FL-10 would greatly reduce casualties and damage. FL-10 was revealed to the public at Zhuhai Airshow.

TL-1

A new version of TL-10 appeared made its public debut at the 7th Zhuhai Airshow held at the end of 2008, together with its larger cousin TL-2. Developed by Hongdu Aviation Industry Corporation, the same manufacturer of TL-10, the new missile is designated as TL-1, and appears almost identical to TL-10.
TL-1 is an upgraded TL-10 with a data link added, so that in addition to the original fire-and-forget capability, TL-1 operators can select to attack a different target other than the original one, if a greater threat has been identified after launching TL-1. TL-1 can be deployed from various platforms.
 
 
Status                          : In-service
Weight                       : 105 kg
Warhead                    : 30 kg, semi-armor piecing
Power plant               : twin thrust chamber, solid rocket motor
Speed                         : Mach 0.85
Range                         : 4–15 km
Guidance                   : Electro-optics/INS
Kill probability          : 0.85
 
TL-2

A new version of TL-6 made its public debut at the 7th Zhuhai Airshow held at the end of 2008, together with its smaller cousin TL-1. TL-2 appears almost identical to TL-6. TL-2 is an upgraded TL-6 with a data link added.
TL-2 missile can be launched from a ground-based launcher or an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV). Photographs provided by CATIC show two TL-2s mounted on an ASN-209 medium altitude and medium endurance (MAME) UAV. The ASN-209 has a range of 200 km (120 miles) and the TL-2 has a range of 6 km. CATIC photographs show it destroying a light armored vehicle. It has a circular error probable range of 2-10 meters depending on the guidance system used. Modes of operation include direct attack for lock-on before launch (LOBL), mid-course navigation, and semi-active guidance for lock-on after launch (LOAL).
TL-2 was first marketed at the 2014 Zhuhai Airshow as a precision strike weapon for the Chengdu-built Wing Loong unmanned combat aerial vehicle (UCAV), now in service with Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates.
 
TL 7

TL-7 is an anti-ship missile that can be launched from fighter aircraft (TL-7A), ground-based units (TL-7B), and ships (TL-7C). The turbojet engine allows it to hit cruising speeds of 0.8-0.85 Mach with a range of 180 km.
TL-7 is making its debut as the export model of the KD-88 precision-guided air to surface missile that entered PLA Air Force service on the Xian-built JH-7A fighter bombers in 2006 and 2007.

Picture
Picture
TL 7B
Picture
TL 10A

CJ-1 AShM

 
CJ-1 is a submarine launched anti ship Missile based on Russian SS-N-27. To simplify logistics and to reduce operational costs, the anti-ship version is developed from the solid rocket powered CJ-1 ASW weapon (which itself is copied from Russian SS N 27), instead of the original turbojet powered Russian version. A variety of seekers are developed for CJ-1 AShM, including radar, imaging infrared, and TV while the flight path of the missile is modified to have a sea-skimming capability. The warhead comes in a variety of size, with the largest weighing around half a ton.
 
Specifications

Status                         : In Service
Range                         : 50 – 80 km, depending on warheads
Speed                         : Mach 2.5
Payload                      : 500Kg
Detonation                 : Semi armor piercing
Cruising altitude       : 20 meter
Propulsion                 : solid rocket
Guidance                   : radar, imaging infrared, and TV
Launch Platforms     : Submarines & Ships
 
YJ-1 / C-101 

The C-101 is a Chinese supersonic anti-ship missile. The C-101 was an early Chinese supersonic cruise missile. It has been described as unsuccessful.
 
YJ-8/ C-801 

The YJ-8 is a Chinese surface-launched subsonic anti-ship cruise missile.  The YJ-8 is an anti-ship missile of Chinese origin. It was developed as a more capable alternative to the larger and slower anti-ship missiles in Chinese service. The YJ-8 is a sea skimming anti-ship missile with active radar homing in the terminal phase. The solid propellant rocket motor makes the YJ-8 less difficult to operate and much smaller than the Chinese models of the P-15 Termit. This allows for more missiles to be carried on ships.
Several defense analysts have suggested the YJ-8 is a reverse engineered copy of the French MM38 Exocet. The general appearance of the missile, and the externally ribbed launcher, was cited in support of this theory. Other analysts and commentators disagree and argue the Chinese missile was a logical result of the development of a weapon system with similar requirements.
​
According to a 1991 Aerospace China article, the development of the actual YJ-8 propulsion system began in 1978, with flight-testing completed by 1985. The YJ-8 reached initial operational capability (IOC) with the PLAN in 1987. Although first announced in 1984, the export version of the YJ-8, the C801, wasn’t formally introduced to the international arms market until three years later. This initial version had fixed wings and was stored in small externally ribbed box launchers on surface ships, or in external tubes on a single modified Type 033G Romeo class submarine. 

The early YJ-8/8A missiles used hybrid computers for the navigation, autopilot, and radar seeker. A hybrid computer uses a mixture of digital and analog components – that is solid-state elements along with servos, relays, and vacuum tubes. It is interesting to note that only the radio altimeter was fully digital, comprised of solid-state components only, which reflects the likely direct influence from the revolutionary French MM38 Exocet  missile.
 
The inertial reference unit used small mechanical gyros and accelerometers that feed their input to the autopilot computer. Servomechanisms transmitted the steering commands to the four independent rudders. While the Chinese were satisfied with the YJ-8/8A’s overall performance, the electronic and navigation components were very bulky and took up a considerable amount of space inside the missile’s fuselage. By transitioning to all digital, microprocessor based computers, and a more compact strap-down mechanical inertial reference unit;

Variants

 YJ-8A: Modified YJ-8 with folding wings.
YJ-81: Air-launched version without the booster.
YJ-82: Submarine-launched version.
C-801: Export version of YJ-8.
C-801K: Export version of the YJ-81.
C-801Q: Export version of YJ-82.
 
 
YJ-8A

The YJ-8A appeared very quickly after the YJ-8 entered service, reaching IOC in 1992 or 1993. In fact, the YJ-8 was only deployed by the PLAN on the Jianghu III (Type 053HT) frigates Huangshi (Hull 535) and Wuhu (Hull 536), as well as the single Type 033G modified Romeo class submarine.
 
Specifications
 
Mass                     : 815Kg
Warhead              : 165Kg
Range                   : 42Km
Engine                  : Solid Rocket
Flight Altitude     : 5-7m
Max Speed           : Mach 0.9
Guidance              : Inertial navigation/active radar homing terminal guidance
Launch Platform : Air, land & See

Picture
YJ-8


YJ-81 

The PLAN’s keen desire for an air-launched version of the YJ-8 drove a near simultaneous development and test program alongside the ship-launched missile. The YJ-81 is very similar to the YJ-8, but without the booster. The shorter section aft of the wings, lack of a scoop, and an underbelly cable run, identify this as a rocket-propelled missile. Like the YJ-8 it has fixed wings, but there is a faired boat tail cap over the rocket exhaust to help reduce the missile’s drag when carried on an aircraft’s pylon.  The small size and low weight of the YJ-81 provided smaller tactical aircraft in the PLAN inventory with a standoff anti-ship strike capability for the first time.
The YJ-81 is reported to have begun flight-testing in the mid-1980s, and reached IOC in 1989. The missile was marketed as the C801K. The “K” reportedly means “Kongjun” or air force, indicating an aircraft launched missile. Iran purchased the C801K and began receiving shipments in the mid-1990s.
 
YJ-82/ C801Q 

The YJ-82(Yingji-82) is the submarine-launched version of the YJ-8 missile family. It is launched from submarines from a buoyant launch canister. The YJ-82 lacks the solid-rocket booster of the surface-launched YJ-8/8A and likely has less range than the latter's 42 km. The YJ-82 was first test fired from a Type 039 submarine in 1997; initial tests did not go well. The first photographs of the missile appeared at the 2004 China International Aviation & Aerospace Exhibition.
 
The launch capsule is a copy of the one used by submarine-launched Harpoons; China likely received the technology from Pakistan, which had such weapons. Pakistani Navy’s Agosta and Daphne class submarines had been modified to launch Sub-Harpoon missiles between 1984 and 1986. An additional motivating factor was China’s considerable technical assistance to Pakistan’s nuclear and ballistic missile programs.
 
YJ-82 missile's small radar reflectivity, low attack flight path and strong anti-jamming capability of its guidance system, target ships have a very small chance of intercepting the missile. The single shot hit probability of the YJ 82 is estimated to be as high as 98%. The YJ-82 can be launched from airplanes, surface ships, submarines and land-based vehicles.
 
Specifications

Status                          : In Service?
Warhead                    : 165 kg high Explosives
Range                         : ~42 Km
Max Speed                 : Mach 0.9
Guidance                    : Inertial navigation/active radar homing terminal guidance
Launch Platform       : Submarines/Ships/Land based vehicles?
Propulsion                  :  Solid-fuelled rocket.
Flight Altitude           :  5 to 7 m (terminal sea-skimming)
 
CM 708 UNA (Export version?)
 
CM-708UNA is a submarine-launched, subsonic anti-ship missile derived from the YJ-82 missile. Chinese CM-708UNA Submarine-launched cruise missile (SLCM) can be launched from torpedo tubes of submarines.  CM-708UNA missile will use strap-down inertial navigation coupled with satellite navigation for midcourse guidance and using a radar seeker for terminal homing. CM-708UNA is developed by Aerospace Science and Industry Corporation (CASIC) and has estimated range of 128 km. 
 
CM 708 UNB (Export Version?)
 
CM-708 UNB is purportedly a derivative of a longer-range version of the submarine-borne YJ-83 ASCM. CM 708 UNB has a range of about 290 kilometers more than twice the range of CM-708 UNA. This missile has a speed of mach 0.8-0.9.
Like the CM-708 UNA, the CM-708 UNB is likely designed to target medium-to-large. The CM-708, encased in a torpedo like case, is shot out from the submarine’s torpedo tube, through the water and into the air. The missile then breaks free of its casing, fires its booster and then engine, and flies out to hit its target ship.
The domestic version of the missile is (or will) likely be deployed aboard China’s conventional submarine fleet, which consists of 13 Song-class (Type 039) diesel-electric attack submarines and 13 more advanced Yuan-class (Type 039A) submarines equipped with air-independent propulsion (AIP) systems.

Picture
YJ 81
Picture
Picture
YJ 82
Picture
CM 708 UNA
Picture


YJ-83 (C802A) 

The YJ-83 (CSS-N-8 Saccade) is a subsonic anti-ship cruise missile. Developed by CASIC’s Third Academy, the YJ-83 is based on the YJ-8 but employs a different rocket motor, a turbojet with paraffin-based fuel. The YJ-83 has been in service on PLA Navy surface vessels for more than 20 years.
 
With a well-established airframe and mature propulsion plant already in place, the YJ-83 benefitted from an exceptionally short development timeline and began flight-testing in 1997. Apparently the missile passed through its trials quickly, as it was reported to have reached IOC in 1998. It was formally announced in October 1999 at the National Day Military Parade, and it has slowly worked up to become the dominant ASCM in the PLAN inventory.
The YJ-83 has been improved through a series of variants. The YJ-83A uses microprocessors and a strap down inertial reference unit (IRU); these are more compact than the equivalent electronics used in the YJ-8 and the export C-802, allowing the YJ-83A to have a 180-km range at Mach 0.9. The missile is powered by the Chinese CTJ-2 turbojet, and carries 190-kg high-explosive fragmentation warhead. Terminal guidance is by active radar.
 
YJ-83A, exported as the C-802A, has “strong defense penetrating capability, high hitting accuracy, powerful warhead and easy operation and maintenance.” It is designed to attack a 5,000-ton destroyer with a radar cross section of at least 3,000 sqm. The YJ-83A can be launched from air-, ship-, and land-based platforms. It features “multiple flight paths and waypoints, sea skimming flight altitude, multiple antijamming capabilities, fire and forget and over-the-horizon attack capabilities.” The YJ-83A’s range is 180 km. For guidance, it uses a strap down inertial navigation system (INS) and employs a frequency agility radar and digital control to achieve a single-shot kill probability of 90 percent. Its response time is 9 minutes in cold and 30 seconds in hot.
 
The YJ-83 had more internal volume (than Yj-8) available for fuel and a slightly larger semi-armor piercing warhead (190 kg vice 165 kg). These changes increased the maximum range of the YJ-83 and its export variant, the C802A, from 120 km to 180 km.
 
The YJ-83has equipped a large number of its surface warships. The YJ-83K equips the Chengdu J-10, Xian JH-7 and H-6G.
 
Specifications
 
Status              : In service
Warhead        : 165 kg
Range             : 120 km (ground/ship) and 130 km (air)
Guidance        :  inertial/active radar for guidance.
Speed              : Mach 0.9 and it skims the sea at an altitude of 20 to 30 m.
 
 
Variants
 
YJ-83: Base Variant
C-802A: export variant of surface launched YJ-83
C-802AK: export variant of air launched YJ-83(has a range of190 km).
YJ-83K: air-launched anti ship variant (range 200 km).
YJ-83KH has an electro-optical seeker, and may receive course corrections by remote link.
YJ-83Q:  Submarine-launched version??????


YJ-83K/ KD-88/CM802AKG

There are three YJ-83K-based land attack missiles with a command data link, two versions of the KD-88 (one electro optic and the other probably IR-guided) and the electro optical homing CM802AKG. These missiles all showed up much later than the YJ-83.
 
KD-88

The KD-88 (KongDi-88, official designation K/AKD88) is the land-attack version of the YJ-83K series air-launched subsonic sea-skimming anti-ship cruise missile. It is PLA’s second-generation standoff weapon, designed for use against fixed high-value targets. The first photos of the electro optical version of the KD-88 were posted in 2006.
KD-88/88A can be carried by PLAN JH-7A (4 missiles) and J-15 against enemy surface ships. Its export version was first unveiled at 2016 Zhuhai Airshow as TL-17. It was reported in July & September 2018 that KD-88/88A can also be carried by J-10C (2) as well as J-16.
Additional types of seeker including anti-radiation and MMW may be developed in the future. KD-88 has provided a much-needed enhancement to PLAAF's precision attack capability
 
Variants

KD-88: Base Variant with CCD TV Seeker.
KD 88A: Variant with IIR seeker
Alternatively the missile could be fitted with semi-active radar or infrared imaging seekers for all-weather, day/night operation capability.
KD-88C? :  A new variant with conformal data link antenna on top of the forward missile body for a longer range and/or a better HD image transmission.
 
Specifications
 
Propulsion                  : turbojet engine
Speed                          : 0.8-0.85 Mach
Range                         : 15-180 km.
Warhead weighs        : 320 kg.

CM-802AKG
 
CM-802 AKG is a passive infrared-homing version of the YJ 83. CM802AKG made its initial appearance at the Zhuhai Airshow China 2010 exposition.The missile uses infrared homing with datalink command input, and is capable of attacking targets both on land and in the sea. The missile has a launch weight of 670 kg and carries a heavier semi-armour-piercing HE warhead (285 kg), with a maximum range of 230km.
 
C-802KD
 
Land attack version of C802A Anti ship missile was introduced as C-802KD during the 2005 DSEI exhibition. Fitted with a semi-active radar-homing seeker, the missile could be used to attack both surface vessels and fixed land targets. Other features of the missile included on-off-on radar operation and multiple target selection capabilities. The missile had a launch weight of 600 kg and could deliver a 190 kg HE warhead to a maximum distance of 180 km.



Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture


YJ-85/C-805 

The YJ-85, C-805 export name, is a supersonic, long-range, land-attack cruise missile variant of the YJ-8 anti-ship missile family. It is said that YJ-85 navigation system is based on a combination of GPS and terrain recognition

YJ-91 

YJ-91 is the Chinese version of the Kh-31. After purchasing 200 Kh-31Ps from Russia, China decided to develop its own version. The experience gained from YJ-91 also helped the engine development of another supersonic missile indigenously developed in China, YJ-12.
 
Kh-31P uses a wide array of seekers to cover the entire radar frequency band. The Chinese were not satisfied with the requirement to include multiple seekers and preferred to have a single seeker capable of covering multiple frequency bands, like the AGM-88 HARM.
 
The resulting anti-radiation version of YJ-91 missile has a slightly increased the range to 120 km in comparison to 110 km of the original Kh-31P.Addition to a seeker that covers multiple frequency bands, additional measures to upgrade the missile are in development, such as, an open software architecture. Additional measures reportedly include prioritizing threats, which could be uploaded to the onboard computer from the ground or by the pilots while in flight. Threats could then be updated in real time. The multi-band seeker is of higher priority.
 
YJ-91 Anti-ship missile 

The Chinese have also developed an anti-ship version of the YJ-91 missile. However, this version is an indigenous development of the Chinese from the Kh-31P anti-radiation missile, and not from the Kh-31A anti-ship missile. China did not order any of the Kh-31A. The Chinese felt that the original Kh-31A could not fully satisfy their requirements, because the high-low trajectory of the missile meant early detection, thus it is prone to interception. In contrast, the low-low trajectory usually adopted by subsonic anti-ship missiles better uses the supersonic speed of Kh-31A. Such a trajectory shortens the detection range and the high-speed reduces the target’s reaction time, once the missile is detected. As a result, China did not order any Kh-31A anti-ship missiles.

The resulting anti-ship version of the YJ-91 is capable of sea-skimming. Its cruising altitude is no more than 20 metre above sea level. At the terminal attack stage (usually after the active radar seeker of the missile is turned on), the missile drops to 7 metre above sea level. This attack altitude can be further reduced to just 1.2 metre above sea level, when the sea state allows. Alternatively, the missile can be programmed to popup-and-dive like that the Boeing Harpoon. However, such sea-skimming capability comes at the expense of maximum range: in comparison to the original 70 km range of the Kh-31A, the maximum range of YJ-91 anti-ship missile was reduced by more than a quarter to 50 km. Like the anti-radiation version, it is reported that many planned upgrades are in development. An application for research grants to develop a submerged launched version of YJ-91 anti-ship missile once appeared on Chinese websites on the Internet, indicating China is attempting to develop a version for its submarine fleet. Fighter like J10, J11B, and J 15 can carry YJ 91 Missiles
 
 
Warhead                    : 90 kg
Speed                          : > Mach 4.5
Minimum range         : 5 km
Maximum range        : 50 km (anti-ship version), 120 km (anti-radiation version)
Engine                        : ramjet with solid rocket fuel booster
Guidance                    : active radar homing (anti-ship) & passive radar homing  (anti-radiation)


Picture
Picture


YJ-12 

YJ-12 is a family of air-launched, long-range, highly supersonic missiles designed to take out large surface ships, radar sites and ground-based targets protected by sophisticated air defense systems.  YJ-12 resembles a lengthened Kh-31 and is close in shape to the GQM-163 Coyote aerial target. Its development started in the late 1990s or early 2000s under the management of China Aerospace Science and Industry Corporation (CASIC).
YJ-12 employs a ramjet engine that allows it to cruise at supersonic speed Mach 2 to 3, or a maximum range of 280 to 400 kilometers depending on launch altitude. According to Chinese sources, the YJ-12 has a speed of around Mach 2 if launched from low altitude and up to Mach 3.2 if launched from high altitude. Achieving maximum performance at an altitude of 40 km (130,000 ft) and degrading as it gets lower. YJ-12 can also do evasive maneuvers to avoid anti-missile threats.
 
The missile utilizes an inertial guidance system that is coupled with a global navigation satellite system (GNSS). The new missiles are also reportedly being refitted to the PLAN’s Sovremenny-class destroyers, which are based on Russian designs.
It has been test-launched from Xian H-6 bombers and will be fitted on the JH-7B. Reportedly, they may also be launched from the J-10, Su-30MKK, the J-11, J-16, and JF-17?. For warships, it equips the Type 051B destroyer
 
Specifications

Status                          : In Service
Range                         : 400Km
Terminal attack altitude: 15 m
Guidance                    : Inertial/GPS
CEP                            : 5-7m
Speed                          : Mach 2- Mach 3.2.
Propulsion                  :  combines a solid fuel rocket booster and a liquid fuel ramjet
Warhead                    : 200kg, blast fragmentation/ penetration warhead
 
 
Variants

YJ-12: Air-launched variant
YJ-12A: Ship-based variant, launched by rocket booster.
YJ-12B: Land-based variant with 300 km range.
YJ-12 ARM: anti-radiation missile derived from the YJ-12(Under Development?)
YJ-12 ASM: air-to-surface standoff attack missile derived from the YJ-12(Under development?)
YJ-12B: ground-based anti-ship missile system
CM-400AKG: export version of the YJ-12
CM-302/YJ-12E: export version of the YJ-12
 
CM-400AKG 

The CM-400AKG is a smaller and lighter version of the YJ-12 anti-ship missile intended for use by tactical fighter aircraft such as the FC-1, J-10 and Su-30MKK/J-11.
The missile is fitted with either a blast fragmentation or a penetration warhead to engage surface ships or fixed-position ground targets respectively. The propulsion system uses a solid fuel rocket motor. The CM-400AKG anti-ship missile has been ordered by the Air Forces of Pakistan and China.
 
Pakistani air force officials described the missile as "an aircraft carrier killer". The missile can be launched when the aircraft reaches speeds of between 750&800Km/h. speed of the cruise missile is between 3.5to mach 4. It can be equipped with high explosive and armor piercing warheads.  An important feature of the rocket is the "triple" guidance system. The missile can be fitted with an active radar seeker or an imaging infrared (IIR) seeker. Chinese claims this missile has a special flight profile.
 
Specifications

Range                         : 100–250 km.
Weight                        : 400 kg
War head                   : 150 kg blast warhead or 200 kg Penetration warhead.
Terminal speed          : Mach 4.5-5.
Guidance                    : INS + GNSS + Passive Radar Seeker, potentially for anti-ship
CEP                            :  5 m
 
 
CM-302/YJ 12E 

CM-302 is an export version of the YJ-12. It is marketed as "the world's best anti-ship missile" that it is supersonic throughout its flight, can be launched from air, land, and naval platforms, can disable a 5,000-tonne warship, and be used in a land attack role. It was first unveiled In November 2016.
 
Range             : 280 km
Warhead        : 250 kg
Guidance        : active radar seeker /BeiDou
Speed              : Mach 1.5-2 and Mach 3 or higher during the terminal flight phase.
 
 
YJ 12 ARM 

The YJ-12 ARM is an anti-radiation missile derived from the YJ-12 missile family and fitted with a passive radar seeker that covers the entire radiofrequency spectrum. The missile's complex navigation has been designed to hit a target even the radar has been shut down. This heavyweight missile is carried by either the H-6K bomber (two) and the JH-7B (one). It can reach a maximum speed of Mach 4, a maximum range of 400 kilometers carrying a 400/500 kg warhead
 
YJ-12 ASM

YJ-12 ASM is an air-to-surface standoff attack missile derived from the YJ-12 missile family and intended to hit land targets protected by sophisticated air defenses. A two-way data-link allowing re-targeting of missile while in-flight. The YJ-12 missile can be fitted with a variety of seekers depending on the target's profile. This heavyweight missile is carried by either the H-6K bomber and the JH-7B. It can reach a maximum speed of Mach 4, a maximum range of 400 kilometers carrying a 400/500 kg warhead. The People's Liberation Army Air Force (PLAAF) has deployed the YJ-12 land attack missile fitted with a radar seeker.
 
YJ-12B

The YJ-12B is a ground-based anti-ship missile system deployed on 10x10 Tractor-Erector-Launcher (TEL) wheeled truck systems with each vehicle carrying three missiles. The YJ-12B specifications remain uncertain but its range might be greater than the basic YJ-12 missile while the speed may remain almost the same. It was deployed in early 2018 to protect the Spratly Islands and then it was shown to the public during the military parade in Beijing on October 1, 2019. Its primary goal is to target aircraft carriers and other large warships and supply vessels.

Picture
YJ 12 Air Launched Version
Picture
Picture

YJ-5 (HQ-61)
 
China was seeking a replacement after the termination of Fenglei-7 anti-radar missile (FL-7), and it was decided to utilize HQ-61(SAM Missile) to develop an anti-radiation missile (ARM) to meet the urgent need. Development of most subsystems of FL-7 continued as research projects after the production was shelved, and these subsystems were mated with HQ-61 to create the anti-radar missile needed, and most experience was gained via the reverse engineering attempt of AGM-45 Shrike, and to a much less extend, that of AGM-78 Standard ARM. Samples of both missiles were mainly obtained from down American jets and provided to China by North Vietnam during the Vietnam War, though several unexploded samples launched by American jets failed to detonate were also transferred.
 
HQ-61 ARM is basically a HQ-61 missile equipped with the guidance and control system of FL-7. Due to the highly classified nature and small number produced, HQ-61 ARM is relatively unknown to the public and its YJ-5 designation is often erroneously identified as an anti-ship or land attack cruise missile, as most of other YJ series produced by China.
 
Hongniao
 
The Hong Niao series (HN-1/-2/-3) of short- and intermediate-range cruise missiles began development in the late 1970s. These ground-, ship-, submarine-, and air-launched cruise missiles were initially based on designs of the X-600, similar to the HY-2 Silkworm. The primary goal of the HN series was to create a nuclear-capable cruise missile with a range of 3,000 km
 
HN-1
 
The HN-1 is reportedly a Chinese development of the native X-600 missile. Some sources believe it was based on the Kh-SD. In 1988, China built an improved missile based on the X-600, called the HN-1. Flight tests for the HN-1A started 1988, and are believed to have entered service around 1996. The air-launched HN-1B was first reported in June 2001, and is thought to enter into service a year later.
 
The top priority of HN-1 development was to have a land attack cruise missile compact enough to be carried by the Xian H-6, which was successfully achieved, but the claims of the HN-1 being able to be carried by the Xian JH-7 has yet to be verified.
 
It is reported that HN-1 missiles consist of two versions, the air-launched HN-1A and ground-launched HN-1B. The maximum range of the ground-launched version designated HN-1A, is 600 km. The maximum range of the air-launched version designated HN-1B, is 650 km. The missile cruises at around Mach 0.8 at an altitude of 20 m. The HN-1A version is believed to be launched from a Transporter-Erector-Launch (TEL) vehicle that is capable of carrying three missiles. The HN-1B version is air-launched from B-6D bombers, each of which carries two to four missiles.
 
HN-2
 
The HN-2 is reportedly an upgraded version of HN-1. The HN-2 is widely believed to be based on reverse engineered U.S. Tomahawk technology. The engine for the HN-2 may be based on the Russian Omsk OKB-designed TRDD-50 engine that is used in both the Kh55 and RK-55 missiles. It carries a 20-90 kiloton warhead and a 400 kg warhead.  The HN-2 was first flight tested in 1995 and entered into service in 2002.
 
 
The primary improvement over the HN-1 missiles is an increase in range. The ground and ship-launched versions (HN-2A, HN-2B) both have a range of 1,800 km. A third version, the HN-2C, is submarine-launched and has a range of 1,400 km. Other improvements and changes include: a body diameter of 0.7 m, an increase in launch weight to 1,400 kg, an accuracy improvement to 5 m CEP, and an overall improvement of various systems including the guidance, engine, airframe, and wing design. Another improvement of HN-2 is that a high altitude approach mode is added.
 
A U.S. report from 2010 stated that China possesses 200 to 500 nuclear armed operational HN-2 missiles. 


Picture
HN-1

HN- 3
 
The HN-3 is an enlarged version of the Chinese HN-2. The HN-3 series of cruise missiles is likely based on the Russian AS-15B Kent and U.S. Tomahawk technologies. The HN-3A is a ground- or ship-launched missile with a maximum range of 3,000 km. A second variant, known as HN-3B, is submarine-launched and has a maximum range of 2,200 km. Other improvements and changes include a slight increase in body diameter to 0.75 m, an increased launch weight to 1,800 kg, and an increase in accuracy to 5 m CEP. The HN-3 was first flight tested in 1999 and entered into service in 2007.
 
HN-2000

A stealthy, supersonic cruise/anti-ship missile has been reported under development. It is reported to be equipped with a millimeter wave active radar homing, infrared imaging mapping, synthetic aperture radar (SAR), and Beidou satellite guidance. It has a CEP of as little as 1–3 meters and a range of 4000 km. However such a weapon is still said to be under development, with little information on them currently available.

Picture
HN 3? or HN 2000?

HD-1

HD-1 is a supersonic land-attack and anti-ship missile. Chinese mining company Guangdong Hongda Blasting revealed technical details of HD-1, at the Airshow China 2018 in Zhuhai.
 
The HD-1 is predicted to compete on the international defense market with the Indo-Russian joint venture BrahMos cruise missile. Beijing-based military analyst Wei Dongxu told local media that the HD-1’s solid fuel ramjet requires less fuel than other supersonic cruise missiles on the market, which could make it lighter, faster, and less expensive than the BrahMos. In a separate statement, Hongda claimed the HD-1 can be adapted to aircraft, ships, and ground-based vehicles. The missile weighs 2,200 kilograms, can fly as high as 15 kilometres and as low as 5-10 meters when sea skimming. The flight speed and altitudes of HD-1 make it very difficult to intercept. "It could be an awesome aircraft carrier killer. A saturated attack by the HD-1 can even demolish an entire fleet," wei said as reported by Global Times. The HD-1's capability has already surpassed early versions of the BrahMos, the reporter said quoting Wei. The HD-1's advanced solid fuel ramjet needs less fuel than its competitors, rendering the lighter missile able to fly faster and farther, Wei said. 
 
The company claimed that the time taken to prepare for the launch of the missile is less than 5 minutes and less than 10 seconds to launch a second missile. It also described that the missile can accurately hit ground and sea targets. The HD-1 can be launched from a land-based transport erection and launch vehicle (TEL). One TEL can be loaded with 6 missiles, which can be fired with a single push of a button. The vehicle adopts an 8x8 all-wheel chassis, making it very mobile and can withdraw within 3 minutes after launch, ensuring its strong battlefield survivability. The HD-1 is a comprehensive weapon system consisting of missile, launch, command and control, target indication and comprehensive support systems. The HD-1 can be adapted to aircraft and ships as well as the basic ground-based vehicle version, the company said.
Along with the basic version, the company also unveiled the HD-1A, an HD-1 variant that can be launched in the air by fighter jets and bombers and has similar capabilities. The HD-1 can also be launched from a ship.
 
Specifications

Status                          : UnKnown
Range                         : 290Km
Warhead                    : 240-400Kg
Propulsion                  : Integrated Ramjet/booster propulsion
Flight Altitude           : 15Km cruise, 5-10m Terminal
Speed                          : 2.5 to 3.5 Mach
Guidance                    : INS/Satellite, Terminal Radar/ Infrared guidance
Launch Platform       : Aircraft, Ship
Sea-skimming altitude: 4.8-9.7 m.
 
Pakistan might buy a supersonic missile (HD-1?) successfully test-fired by China which is said to be cost-effective and better than the BrahMos developed by India and Russia,  Chinese state media reported.

Picture
Picture

​YJ-62/C-602
 
YJ-62 is a highly subsonic, long-range, anti-ship missile developed by HaiYing Electro-Mechanical Technology Academy in China for use by surface ships. The YJ-62, was first deployed by the People's Liberation Army Navy (PLAN) in 2004 onboard the Type 052C destroyer.

Despite using a similar designation, there are no ties between the YJ-62 and YJ-6 anti-ship missile. The YJ-62 active radar seeker uses an agile frequency antenna to better withstand the effects of electromagnetic jamming. The weapon has a similar general configuration to the Tomahawk family, but employs a unique fixed scoop inlet for the air breathing engine. The YJ-62 can be fitted with an alternative seeker to enable engagement of land targets.
C-602 is the export name of YJ 62.The C-602 was revealed in September 2005, and displayed outside of China for the first time at the African Aerospace and Defense exhibition in 2006. YJ 62 is available in ship, sub, coastal battery and air launch configurations. YJ 62 is designed to sink or disable medium to large size ships.
China has developed an improved YJ-62A variant with a 400 km range. The YJ-62 has been deployed on both ground- and ship-launchers and is currently fitted on China’s 8 Luyang II–class (Type 052C) destroyers. Some 120 units of a YJ-62C variant were reportedly deployed on mobile TELs at Fujian bases for use as coastal defense missiles, a role previously played by HY-1 and HY-2 missiles.

Specifications
 
Guidance         : GPS/INS + active radar homing seeker with a monopulse antenna.
Propulsion       : Rocket motor for launch and a turbofan/turbojet engine for cruise.
Flight altitude : 30 meters at cruise, 10 meters at terminal attack phase.
Warhead         : 210 Kg (YJ-62), 300Kg (C-602)
Range              : 400Km (YJ-62), 280Km (C-602)
Flight Altitude : 7-10 Meter Terminal
Max Speed      : Mach 0.6-0.8
Launch Platform: TEL, Type 052C Destroyer
 
CM-602G

The CM-602G is a land-attack version of the C-602. It is advertised as having a range of 290 km, a 480 kg penetrating blast/fragmentation warhead, and an inertial guidance system using GPS data which may be augmented to provide man-in-the-loop control. The missile was revealed at the China International Aviation & Aerospace Exhibition in 2012.

Picture
YJ-62
Picture


Russian Origin Missiles
 

KH-31P

The Kh-31P is the anti-radiation missile (ARM) developed by the Russian Zvezda Bureau, based on the Kh-31A (AS-17A) supersonic anti-ship missile. The PLA obtained some Kh-31P examples in the late 1990s, and has developed an indigenous version known as YJ-91 (YingJi-91). It is not known whether the YJ-91 production has been licensed by Russia. However, other sources suggested that the PLA imported some Kh-31P missiles from Russia between 2002 and 2004, possibly due to the delay in the YJ-91 development.
The Kh-31P was designed to suppress enemy air defense systems and makes its early warning ‘blind’ by striking their radar. The Kh-31P entered service with the PLA around 2003-2004, offering an advanced medium-range standoff anti-radiation strike capability previously lacked by the force. The missile can be carried by its Su-30MKK Flanker-G fighter or the indigenous JH-7 fighter-bomber.
The missile features a unique dual propulsion system designed by the Soyuz Design Bureau. First the missile is accelerated by its solid-fuel rocket engine to a speed of Mach 1.8, then the engine is discarded and the interior of the missile is converted into the combustion chamber of the missile’s jet engine. The latter accelerates the missile to a speed of almost Mach 4.5, while four air intake holes on the sides of the missile body open up.
 
Specifications

Propulsion                  : Ramjet + Integral Solid Rocket Booster
Speed                          : Mach 4.5
Max Range                : 110 Km
Min Range                 : 15Km
Guidance                    : L-112 E Passive Radar Homing D~F band
 
KH-59

The Kh-59 (AS-13 Kingpost) is a standoff, TV-guided, medium-range air-to-surface missile developed by Russian Raduga Design Bureau. The missile was designed to engage large static ground targets such as bridges and buildings. First revealed in the 1991 Dubai Defence Exhibition, the Kh-59 missile is somewhat similar in concept to the U.S. AGM-84E SLAM. The PLA obtained the Kh-59 as a part of the Su-30MKK fighter acquisition package.

Specifications

Status                          : In Service
Max Range                : 50Km
Warhead                    : 148Kg HE
Propulsion                  : Solid Rocket booster
Speed                          : 0.8 Mach
Guidance                    : Inertial +TV terminal
CEP                            : 2-3m
Sea skimming altitude: 7m, 100-1000m above ground
 
KH-29T

The Kh-29 is the short-range air-to-surface missile designed by Russian Matus Bisnovat’s “Molniya” (Lightning) and Vympel Design Bureau in the 1980s. The missile is available in two variants: (Article 63) semi-active laser guided version designated Kh-29L, and (Article 64) TV-guided version designated Kh-29T. The PLAAF acquired Kh-29T missiles in 2002 from Russia, as part of the weapon package for the Su-30MKK fighters it ordered from Russia.
The PLAAF ordered 2,000 Kh-29T missiles from Russia in July 2002 and received them in the same year. This may suggest that they came out of existing Russian Air Force inventory rather than new production.
Kh-29 is intended primarily for use against larger battlefield targets and infrastructures such as industrial buildings, airports, depots and bridges. The T variant of the missile is fitted with a Tubus-2 television seeker, with automatic optical homing to a distinguishable object indicated by the pilot in the cockpit.
The missile can be fired from altitudes from 200 m to 10,000 m, at the speeds between 600 and 1,250 km/h. At altitudes of 20 -500 m it is launched from horizontal flight, at altitudes 800-2,000 m from shallow dive and at 1,500-4,000 m (optimal altitudes) is launched from more step dive. However, some sources suggest that the launch altitude above 5,000 m is purely theoretical capability, without serious tactical use.
 
Specifications
​

Status              : In Service
CEP                : 5-8m
Warhead        : 317Kg
Propulsion      : Solid Rocket.
Max Range    : 8-10Km
Min Range     : 3Km
Speed              : 1 Mach
Guidance        : TV Seeker
 
3M-80MBE/E Moskit (SS-N-22)
 
The first operational PLAN ASCM was the erstwhile Soviet/ Russian Raduga P-270/3M-80E Moskit/SS-N-22 Sunburn on two Sovremenny Class DDGs. The Chinese variant, 3M-80MBE differs from the original 3M-80E with a range of 240 km over 220 km respectively. The Chinese financed the development of the Moskit for the PLAN which boasts a speed of Mach 3 and a 320 kg warhead. It is certain that the Chinese employed the technology for their subsequent missile development programs
 
Status                          : Retired
Range: min                : 10–12 km, Max 140Km
Cruising altitude        : 10 – 20 m (low-altitude trajectory), 7 m in terminal stage.
Warhead                    : 300Kg penetrator
 
 
3M-54E/E1 Klub (SS-N-27)
 
The SS-N-27 “Sizzler” (3M54) is a Russian short-range ship-, and submarine-launched anti-ship missile. The Sizzler is part of the Kalibr family of missiles and has several export versions known as the ‘Klub’ missile series. The People's Liberation Army Navy uses the 'Club-S' variant for its Kilo class submarines


Conclusion

Even though china has developed a large variety of cruise missiles through, reverse engineering, copying and illegal Transfer of technology still Chinese cruise missiles are inferior to Indian cruise Missiles. BrahMos and its variants, Nirbhay , and acquired SCALP , Harpoon is much better than anything in the Chinese arsenal .
 
China significantly out numbers India in terms of no of cruise missiles, CJ 10 alone may go up to 1000 in Numbers (Not confirmed). India may have more than 600 BrahMos (approximate) cruise missiles in navy and army service. 

0 Comments

Military Balance India VS China- Underwater Capabilities

8/12/2020

0 Comments

 

​Indian UnderWater Capabilities


SUBMARINES ~16

India is currently planning a fleet of nuclear powered submarines. But unlike other nuclear navies, India will not go all-nuclear. Instead India will go for a mix of nuclear and diesel electric submarines. Conventional diesel-electric boats will be an important pillar of India’s submarine capability.
​
SSBN

Arihant Class 1 operational

INS Arihant(S2)

The Arihant program goes back more than three decades, to the vaguely named Advanced Technology Vessel. Begun in 1974, ATV was broadly conceived as a project to research nuclear propulsion and, down the road, field an indigenously developed and constructed nuclear-powered submarine. The program was collaboration between the Bhabha Atomic Research Centre, the Indian Navy and the Indian government’s Defense Research Development Centre.

The Indian Navy and the DRDO together designed the submarine. Once the design was finalized detailed engineering was implemented at L&T’s submarine design centre using 3D modeling and product data management software. Tata Power designed the control systems for the submarine. Walchandnagar Industries, a company specializing in execution of heavy engineering projects, designed parts of the steam turbine.

Hull began construction in 1998 at Visakhapatnam, but could not be completed due to the lack of a working reactor. Arihant’s design is based on the Russian Akula-1 Class submarine. It weighs 6,500t. At a length of 110m and breadth of 11m, Arihant is the longest in the Indian Navy’s fleet of submarines and can accommodate a crew of 95. It is the smallest ballistic-missile submarine in the world, with the possible exception of the North Korean Gorae class.
The submarine’s exterior is uneven and the hull is placed on a mat covered with tiles. The tiles help in absorbing sound waves and provide stealth capability to the submarine. Compared to conventional submarines, the conning tower of Arihant is situated near the bow instead of the centre. The central part of the submarine’s body consists of the outer hull and an inner pressurized hull. The starboard side consists of two rectangular vents that draw in water when the submarine submerges into sea.

The forward section of the hull is based directly upon the Russian KILO Class diesel attack submarine. The upper sonar casing and torpedo tube arrangement look to be identical. The sail is also essentially similar although necessarily raised slightly because the casing gets deeper as it goes aft to accommodate the main missile silos. The forward hydroplanes are remounted on the sail rather than on the forward casing, which also entails minor rearrangements, but overall the sail can be said to be the same hat of the KILO. It features an open bridge at the top, a bad-weather bridge with windows and a sonar array in the forward part of the sail. The distance from the bow to the sail is also the same as on the KILO, another telling observation. The design is largely indigenous but has benefited from Russian assistance and borrows parts of the forward hull design from the KILO Class.

A significant progress in the development of Arihant took place when the land-based pressurized water reactor became operational in 2004 at the Indira Gandhi Centre for Atomic Research in Kalpakkam, Chennai. Following this, miniaturization of the land-based PWR had to be carried out to enable it to fit into a confined space in the submarine. The reactor consists of 13 fuel assemblies each having 348 fuel pins. The 85 MW PWR fuelled by HEU driving a 70 MW steam turbine. It is reported to have cost $2.9 billion and was to be commissioned in 2016. The boats are powered by a single seven blade propeller powered by the nuclear reactor and can achieve a maximum speed of 12–15 knots (22–28 km/h) when surfaced and 24 knots (44 km/h) when submerged.

Several companies supplied components of the reactor. High grade steel supplied by Heavy Engineering Corporation, Ranchi was used to build the reactor vessel. The steam generator was provided by Bharat Heavy Electricals Limited (BHEL); and Audco India, Chennai built the pressure valves.

The PWR consists of a huge pressure hull, a tank containing water and a reactor. It also consists of a pressure vessel built from unique steel, a control room as well as an auxiliary control room. The propulsion plant housing the reactor is 42m long and 8m in diameter. The complete propulsion plant along with the primary, secondary, electrical and propulsion systems occupy half of the submarine. To reduce the weight of the plant, light water and enriched uranium was used as opposed to non-enriched uranium used in land-based reactors.
Arihant was launched for sea trials on 26 July 2009. The trials are being conducted at a concealed test area called ‘Site Bravo’. During harbor acceptance trials, the nuclear power plant and auxiliary systems of the submarine was tested for stability. The most crucial part of the trials was the firing of the reactor.
Arihant is fitted with a combination of two sonar systems – Ushus and Panchendriya. Ushus is state-of-the-art sonar meant for Kilo Class submarines. Panchendriya is a unified submarine sonar and tactical control system, which includes all types of sonar (passive, surveillance, ranging, intercept and active). It also features an underwater communications system.

In October 2018, the veil of secrecy around the programme was lifted for the first time when India acknowledged that INS Arihant, had completed its first deterrence patrol.
​
Arihant may have quietness in the level of Akula 1 class submarines of Russia. Some expert’s believes it may be quite as Akula 2nd class submarines. No official information is available about Indian Nuclear submarines. 
Picture

Weapons

Arihant is capable of carrying all types of missiles. It can carry 12 K-15 SLBMs that can be launched even under ice caps. Apart from the K-15s, the submarine will carry a range of anti-ship and land-attack cruise missiles and torpedoes. Apart from K15 Arihant can carry four K-4 missiles (3,500 km). The third and fourth submarines will have a larger configuration, carrying twenty-four K-15 Sagarika or eight K-4 missiles


Sensors

Arihant is fitted with a combination of two sonar systems – Ushus and Panchendriya. Ushus is state-of-the-art sonar meant for Kilo Class submarines.

USHUS

USHUS is an integrated sonar system developed by the Naval Physical and Oceanographic Laboratory (NPOL) of the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO).

USHUS is used to detect, localize, and classify underwater submerged and surface targets through passive listening, interception of signals and active transmissions of acoustics signals. Its passive sonar has preformed beams in azimuth and in three vertical directions using ASICS. It can auto track six targets and its active sonar has CW and LFM modes of transmission. Its intercept sonar can provide early warning long range target detection, all round coverage in three bands, FFT, and Spectral processing. The underwater communication system has multiple mode acoustic communication in dual frequency to meet NATO and other requirements, voice, telegraph, data, and message modes of operation. Its obstacle avoidance sonar is a high frequency short range sonar with rectangular transducer array and its transmission covers three sectors of 30° each. USHUS is reported to be superior to its Russian equivalents.

FEATURES
  • Indigenous integrated submarine sonar system to detect, localise and classify underwater submerged and surface targets through passive listening, interception of signals and active transmissions of acoustics signals.
  • Both analog and digital external system interface.
  • Modular and rugged design with upgradeable performance features
  • Powerful Fault Diagnosis System (FDS) with On-line & Off-Line FDFL
  • User Transparent Automatic Periodic key change.
  • Local and Remote Loop Back tests.
  • Caters for easy customization and updation of the encryption algorithm, without requiring change in hardware.
  • The encryption algorithm used is complex enough to withstand sophisticated modern day attacks.
 
PASSIVE SONAR
  • Surveillance in Passive Mode with high search volume
  • Automatic detection of multiple Targets
  • Performed Beams in azimuth and in three vertical book directions using ASICS
  • Post Processor Normalisation and three time constant integration using floating point SHARC Processors
  • Colour coded multiparameter video in 20.1 inch Flat Panel Display
  • Auto track for six targets
  • Lofar, Demon, Classifier and Spectrum Processing for tracked targets
  • Color Coded display to identify target threat level
  • User friendly MMI
 
ACTIVE SONAR
  • CW and LFM modes of transmission with three selective pulse widths
  • High source level
  • Low frequency planar transducer array
  • Complex demodulation, replica correlation for Doppler and Range estimation
 
INTERCEPT SONAR
  • Early warning long range target detection
  • All round coverage in three bands
  • FFT, Spectral processing
  • Colour coded bearing Vs time water fall display
 
UNDER WATER COMMUNICATION SYSTEM
  • Multiple mode acoustic communication in dual frequency to meet NATO and other requirements
  • VOICE, TELEGRAPH, DATA AND MESSAGE modes of operation
  • Three separate elements to cover 120° in Azimuth
 
OBSTACLE AVOIDANCE SONAR
  • High frequency short range sonar
  • Rectangular transducer array
  • Transmission to cover three sectors of 30° each

Picture
Picture

INS Arighat (S3)

INS Arighat is the second Arihant-class submarine. It is the second nuclear-powered ballistic missile submarine built by India. It is built under the Advanced Technology Vessel (ATV) project to build nuclear submarines at the Ship Building Centre in Visakhapatnam. It has the code name S3. Arighat may be slightly bigger and better-armed than INS Arihant.

In January 2012, it was announced that she would be launched in late 2012 or early 2013. In December 2014 it was reported that work on the second nuclear sub-reactor had begun and possibly by early 2016 she will be launched. In October 2017, it was reported that she would be launched in November or December and would undergo outfitting. The launch took place on 19 November 2017. The ship would undergo extensive sea trials for three years before being commissioned into the Indian Navy. INS Arighat will be ready for induction in Indian Navy by mid of this year since it is nearing its sea trials.

The boat has one seven-blade propeller powered by a pressurized water reactor. It can achieve a maximum speed of 12–15 knots (22–28 km/h) when on surface and 24 knots (44 km/h) when submerged.
The submarine has four launch tubes in its hump, just like her predecessor. She can carry up to 12 K-15 Sagarika missiles, or four of the under-development K-4 missiles.

Weapons
  • K-15 Sagarika SLBM
  • K4 SLBAM
  • Six 533mm Torpedo Tube
 
Sensors
USHUS (May be USHUS 2)

USHUS 2

USHUS-2 is an Integrated Submarine Sonar System which physically and functionally replaces the MGK-400 and MGK-519 Sonars on four EKM classes of submarines. USHUS-2 is a state of the art upgrade of NPOL designed sonar USHUS in terms of the technology and sonar capabilities. USHUS is operational onboard five of the nine frontline EKM submarines of Indian Navy. USHUS-2 is a world class sonar suite, tailored for the remaining four EKM classes of submarines. USHUS-2 sonar suite includes Passive Sonar, Active Sonar, Intercept Sonar, Obstacle Avoidance Sonar and Underwater Telephony. The USHUS-2 Sonar Suite has been designed and developed by NPOL and productionised by M/s. Bharat Electronics. USHUS-2 is currently in installation phase in IN designated platforms. USHUS 2 will replace the remaining Russian sonars on Sindhughosh class, of submarines. USHUS 2 has a range of more than 30Km.


The sonars are the eyes and ears of a submarine. The primary purpose of the sonar is to detect, localise and attack enemy warships and submarines. It is also essential for safe navigation. USHUS-2 is essentially a suite of multiple sensors for passive and active detection, which collates different characteristics of the same target and provides data for engaging the target. The constituent sonars in the suite include passive sonar, active sonar, intercept sonar, obstacle avoidance sonar and underwater telephony. The sonar suite incorporates advanced signal processing techniques and state-of-the-art hardware platforms. The system provides advanced classification features, contact motion analysis and automatic torpedo detection capabilities. It has been entirely manufactured by Indian industry. The system provides advanced classification features, contact motion analysis and automatic torpedo detection capabilities.
 
USHUS-2 sonar suite includes
  • Passive Sonar
  • Active Sonar
  • Intercept Sonar
  • Obstacle Avoidance Sonar
  • Underwater Telephony.

USHUS-2 will replace USHUS Sonar system in other nuclear submarines as well. 

Picture
Picture
Picture
Panchendriya


S4

Nuclear Ballistic missile submarine was only known by its internal code name as S4 is ready for its sea trials by end of 2020. S4 is an extended Arihant class design that has twice the weapons carrying capability than the Arihant class. According to media reports S4 is twice the size of the Arihant class nuclear submarines and can carry twice the number of nuclear-armed medium-range missiles like K-4 SLBM. S4 can carry 8 K-4 SLBM with a range of 3500km or 24 K-15 SLBM with a range of over 800km in its 8 vertical launch tubes and Possibly K5 SLBM which is under development and will have a range of 5000Km. . S4 is expected to be officially inducted into Navy by 2022.
S4 will be fitted with State-of-art sonar integrated sonar system USHUS (may be USHUS 2) sonar developed by Naval Physical and Oceanographic Laboratory (NPOL) of the Defense Research and Development Organization . The submarine will also have Panchendriya sonar which is a unified submarine sonar and tactical control system, and it includes all types of sonar (passive, surveillance, ranging, intercept, obstacle avoidance and active).It is used for detecting and tracking enemy submarines, surface vessels, and torpedoes and can be used for underwater communication and avoiding obstacles.
The hull will feature twin flank-array sonars and Rafael broadband expendable anti-torpedo countermeasures.

Weapons
  • K15
  • K4
  • K5
Sensors
  • USHUS (May be USHUS 2)
  • Panchendriya
 
S4*

As per some reports, S4 sister class ship called S4* (Star) will be ready for sea trials by 2022 and induction by 2024. S4 and S4* will be SSBMs which largely will be getting K-4 and K-5 SLBM missiles, K-5 SLBM is a new missile 9under development and reportedly has a range of 5000km, while DRDO already got approvals to design and develop K-6 SLBM which has a range of 8000km to be armed on S5 Class Nuclear Ballistic missile submarines which India plans to construct after completion of S4*.
 
Weapons
  • K15
  • K4
  • K5
Sensors
  • USHUS (May be USHUS 2)
  • Panchendriya

S5

S5 Class Nuclear Ballistic missile submarines which India plans to construct after completion of S4*. S5 will be first in lead class next generation Nuclear Ballistic Missile Submarine which will have a surface displacement of 13000 tonnes and will be nearly double the size of S4 and S4* SSBM .

S-5 SSBN Scale model reveals information in radical design changes which new submarine will have.
Mast: Unlike Arihant class which had clear Russian influence in the design of its Mast, S-5 has design influence of Vanguard-class SSBN operated by Royal Navy and has a Short Mast unlike seen in Arihant which also has dividing rudder design. The mast is usually the place where all above water sensors are combined into self-protection masts in the submarine’s fin.

Forward Hydroplane: Forward Hydroplane has seen in S5 design is again influenced by Vanguard-class SSBN which is located in the forward section and not placed on Mast.
Silo Hump: This is where Vanguard-class SSBN influences stops and Silo Hump as seen in the scale model is more influenced by the Russian Delta-IV class submarine which might have something to do with design influence also with S5. First S5 SSBN will go in construction in 2022 onwards once dry docks are vacated currently occupied by S4 and S4*.

S5 will feature 190MW Pressurized water reactor (PWR) which is already under research and design by BARC and it has been reported that same 190MW PWR will also be used to power India’s six Next Generation Nuclear attack Submarines when design goes critical in 2025.
​
S5 will be equipped with 16 K-6 SLBM and will be ready for induction into Indian Navy by 2030. The submarine will enter service by 2030. 3 submarines will be built in the beginning, with another 3 planned over the next decade (Six). The submarine will most likely be propelled by a ducted pump jet propulsor which emits less noise and is thus more difficult to detect via sonar. A new material for the hull is being developed by the Mishra Dhatu Nigam, and this will be able to withstand the tremendous amounts of pressure and with anti-sonar properties key to the S5’s performance.
Along with the S5, the INS Varsha, the heavily fortified submarine pen, is a very closely guarded secret. With its nuclear-powered ballistic missile submarines, India may finally catch up with the established nuclear powers in terms of global reach.

Picture
Picture

TACTICAL 15
SSN ~1
Chakra (ex-RUS Akula II) Nerpa (K-152)


The construction of the Nerpa submarine was started in 1993, but was then suspended due to lack of funding. The Indian Navy sponsored the building and sea trials of the submarine provided it was given to the Indian Navy on lease for 10 years. It was launched as K-152 Nerpa in October 2008 and entered service with the Russian Navy in late 2009. The submarine was leased to the Indian Navy in 2011 after extensive trials, and was formally commissioned into service as INS Chakra II at a ceremony in Visakhapatnam on 4 April 2012. The INS Chakra joined the Eastern Naval Command at Visakhapatnam.
​
INS Chakra SSN offers the flexibility of a wide range of responses, which have marked a paradigm shift in submarine operations. The submarine is equipped with an array of state-of-the-art weapons and sensors, which enable the submarine to undertake diverse roles and participate in various fleets, tactical and theatre level exercises. Chakra has played a pivotal role in laying strong foundations of nuclear and radiation safety procedures, quality maintenance and high standards of professional competence. ‘Chakra’ has been named after the mythological weapon of Lord Vishnu. The crest design depicts a Yellow Chakra on Blue and White Sea waves with Sky Blue background.

INS Chakra is powered by a 190 MW reactor and can reach speeds of over 30 knots. The vessel is manned by 80 crew members and is equipped with tactical missiles, a new fire control systems, sonar’s and contemporary optronic periscopes and surveillance systems.The INS Chakra displaces about 12,000 tons. It can go upto a depth of 600 metres. INS Chakra is one of the quietest nuclear submarines around, with noise levels next to zero.
The submarine has a double-hulled configuration with a distinctive high aft fin. The hull has seven compartments and the stand-off distance between the outer and inner hulls is considerable, reducing the possible inner hull damage. The very low acoustic signature has been achieved by incremental design improvements to minimize noise generation and transmission – for example, the installation of active noise cancellation techniques.

Picture

INS Chakra is powered by a 190 MW reactor and can reach speeds of over 30 knots. The vessel is manned by 80 crew members and is equipped with tactical missiles, a new fire control systems, sonar’s and contemporary optronic periscopes and surveillance systems.The INS Chakra displaces about 12,000 tons. It can go upto a depth of 600 metres. INS Chakra is one of the quietest nuclear submarines around, with noise levels next to zero.
​
The submarine has a double-hulled configuration with a distinctive high aft fin. The hull has seven compartments and the stand-off distance between the outer and inner hulls is considerable, reducing the possible inner hull damage. The very low acoustic signature has been achieved by incremental design improvements to minimize noise generation and transmission – for example, the installation of active noise cancellation techniques.
Picture


Weapons

3M14E Klub-S (SS-N-30) LACM
​

The 3M-14, part of Russian contractor Novator’s Club-A series, is a land attack cruise missile. The land attack variant is designed to strike pre-programmed targets such as seaports, airfields, and command posts. The missile is modular with five versions: two anti-shipping models, one for land attack and two anti-submarine variants.
The 3M14E (E for export) Klub is a reduced range (~300 km) version of the 3M14 Kalibr. The missile is believed to fly 64 ft above the sea and 164 ft above the ground at speeds up to 965 km/hour. It is believed to be guided, using GPS and terminal-phase active radar seekers to achieve a reported three m CEP. Its basic length is 6.2 m (20 ft), with a 450 kg (990 lb) warhead. Its range is 300 km (190 mi). It has a subsonic terminal speed of 0.8 mach.

Picture
3M54E (right) and 3M14E (left)

3M54E Klub-S (SS-N-27 Sizzler) AShM

The Klub/Club is a family of modular, two-stage, multi-purpose missiles intended to engage ships, submarines and targets onshore. Club is the designation used for the export versions.The Klub missiles can be launched from surface ships and submarines employing canisters, torpedo tubes and VLS. The missile can follow a ballistic or a low and medium altitude cruise trajectory pattern depending on the Klub missile version. They have been designed to destroy targets protected by sophisticated active air defenses and countermeasures. The Club-N designation applies to missile variants employed by surface vessels which launch this kind of weapon through Vertical Launch System (VLS). The Club-S refers to submarine applications which utilize torpedo tubes to fire the weapon out of the submarine. This family of missiles entered service in 2001 within the Russian Armed Forces and is also aimed at export customers worldwide. The Caliber designation refers to the missile complex deployed on Russian Navy vessels to engage a variety of targets.

The missile is a modular system with five versions: two anti-shipping types, one for land attack and two anti-submarine types. The missile is designed to share common parts between the surface and submarine-launched variants but each missile consists of different components, for example, the booster. The missile can be launched from a surface ship using a Vertical Launch System (VLS). It has a booster with thrust vectoring capability. The missile launched from a submarine torpedo tube has no need for such an addition but has a conventional booster instead. The air launched version is held in a container that is dropped as the missile launches, detaching from the container.
​
The 3M-54E Club-S is a submarine launched anti-ship missile capable of penetrating ships' sophisticated air defenses. It features a booster, a cruise low-altitude subsonic sustainer and a supersonic terminal stage which activates at 60 km from target after the cruise stage drops. Its guidance system is based on inertial navigation system with end-game active radar homing. Its basic length is 8.2 m, with a 200 kg warhead. Its range is 220 km. It is a sea-skimmer with a supersonic terminal speed and a flight altitude of 4.6 metres (15 ft) at its final stage is 2.9 mach.

Picture

Four single 650mm TT with T-65

The Type 65 is a torpedo developed by Russia. Indian navy using the modified version Type 65-76A torpedo.
Type 650mm 65-76A torpedo is one of the most powerful of its kind around, packs enough explosive punch to blow an aircraft carrier out of the water. The 65-76 caliber torpedos are absolutely one-of-a-kind in terms of speed, range and yield. The whole set consists of three torpedoes and a hydro-acoustic jammer. The 65-76A 650mm long-range self-homing anti-ship torpedo,  also known as ‘Kit’ (‘Whale’) was developed during the mid-1980s and was inducted into the Navy in 1991.The upgraded version of the 65-76 torpedo, the Whale is 11 meters long, moves at 50 knots (57.5 miles an hour) and has a maximum range of 62 miles(100Km) .
​
Type 65 76A has range 50 Km at 93km/h, 100Km at 56km/h. it uses active/passive sonar and wire guidance. Warhead 450/557 Kg high explosives. Propulsion probably gas turbine powered by hydrogen peroxide kerosene and compressed air fuel. Driven by contra rotating propellers.

Picture
A Type 65-76A torpedo in a museum against the wall with cut outs to show internal components.


Chakra 3

India and Russia signed an inter-governmental deal for leasing of another nuclear-powered attack submarine for the Indian Navy for a period of 10 years, military sources said. Under the pact, Russia will have to deliver the Akula class submarine, to be known as Chakra III, to the Indian Navy by 2025. This new attack submarine will replace Indian Navy's INS Chakra 2 whose lease is expiring in the year 2022. Chakra III will replace the Chakra II submarine already in service with Indian Navy from 2012.

It will be K 322 Kashalot which will turn into Chakra 3. K-322 Kashalot is an akula 2nd class submarine. The submarine was laid down on September 5, 1986 at Amur Shipyard in under the name of K-322; launched on July 18, 1987; commissioned into Pacific Fleet on March 1, 1989; renamed into Kashalot on April 13, 1993.
 
K-322 Kashalot is amuch older submarine than the current Chakra II in service with Indian Navy, but it will be equipped with latest technologies. Russia had offered India K-322 Kashalot in 2015 to replace Chakra II which will complete its 10-year lease in 2022. After overhauling it will be more capable than current chakra 2 SSN. Chakra 3 will have India specific enhancements and will include Indian systems.
Chkara 3 will be getting a new generation nuclear reactor and Russia may ready to transfer the technology to India.


SSN Programme

In February 2015, the Indian government approved the indigenous construction of six nuclear-powered attack submarines at the Ship Building Center (SBC) in Visakhapatnam. A patrol by a Shang-class submarine in the Indian Ocean prompted the revival of a plan to build six nuclear-powered attack submarines. The estimated cost of the project is pegged at 1.2 lakh crores (US$5 billion).

These will be designed by the Navy’s in-house Directorate of Naval Design and indigenously built in the Shipbuilding Center at Visakhapatnam. The initial design phase for the new boats has progressed successfully and more resources will now be deployed to move to the more complex detailed design and construction to be undertaken by the Directorate of Naval Design (Submarine Design Group) with assistance from the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO). These SSNs will be armed with conventional missiles and torpedoes.

It is anticipated the design would be as for a modern SSN and the construction would be on lines similar to that of the INS Arihant with an improved Bhabha Atomic Research Centre (BARC) designed nuclear reactor at Defence Research and Development Organisation’s (DRDO) Ship Building Centre (SBC) in Vishakhapatnam under the Advanced Technology Project (ATV) under a strategic Public Private Partnership (PPP). The project is being worked out under a Naval Vice Admiral. Larsen & Toubro (L&T) is the PPP construction partner for INS Arihant and successive submarines.

Mishra Dhatu Nigam (MIDHANI) is developing a new hull material that is expected to allow the submarine to dive into deeper depths than the Arihant class. A scaled down model of the submarine is planned to be tested in the near future.

Shishumar Class (GER T-209/1500) (~4)

The Shishumar class vessels are diesel-electric submarines. These submarines are developed by the German yard Howaldtswerke-Deutsche Werft (HDW).The first two of these vessels were built by HDW at Kiel, while the remainder have been built at Mazagon Dock Limited (MDL) Mumbai. . These submarines are a lengthier and heavier Indian variant of the Type 209 submarines developed by the German yard Howaldtswerke-Deutsche Werft (HDW) under the internal designation Type 1500.

The 4 boats of the Shishumar class include some customized features including a larger diameter of the pressure hull, a pressure-resistant bulkhead, as well as an IKL-designed integrated escape system. The escape sphere has accommodations for the entire 40 men crew with an eight-hour air supply. This sphere can withstand the same pressure as the hull, and is outfitted for short term survival and communications.
 
The ships were commissioned between 1986 and 1994. These submarines have a displacement of 1660 tons when surfaced, a speed of 22 knots (41 km/h), and a complement of 40 including eight officers. These submarines are 65 meters long with an 8-meter-wide beam. They can remain submerged for about 50 days without surfacing. Their weapons systems are capable of firing torpedoes. All four of the Shishumar-class vessels have undergone refits since they were commissioned.

Range (surface) is 11,000 nmi (20,000 km) at 10 knots (20 km/h). Range (snorkel) is 8,000 nmi (15,000 km) at 10 knots (20 km/h). Range (submerged) is 400 nmi (700 km) at 4 knots (7 km/h).

Upgrade Programs

The Shishumar class boats already underwent a midlife refit from 1999 to 2005. Some of the improvements included a retrofit of the French Eledone sonar and an Indian action data system.

On 29 June 2016, the Indian Navy signed a contract with Germany’s ThyssenKrupp Marine Systems (TKMS) to upgrade two of the four Shishumar-class diesel-electric attack submarines. TKMS worked on the retrofitting of two submarines of the class in 2016: the INS Shalki and the INS Shalkul, under a $ 38.4 million contract with the Indian Navy. That upgrade also extended their operational life for ten years. The upgrade is also being carried out by Mazagon Dock, Mumbai. Under this upgrade, the boats are being fitted with a Boeing weapons suite of UGM-84L Harpoon Block encapsulated anti-ship missile systems. The new weapons package includes 12 UGM-84L Harpoon Block II Encapsulated Missiles, 10 UTM-84L Harpoon Encapsulated Training missiles, and 2 Encapsulated Harpoon certification training vehicles. Additionally, Atlas Elektronik modernized the combat and sensor systems of these submarines.
​
On 28 September 2018, India contracted TKMS again for an upgrade on the INS Shishumar . The contract is for a mid life refit and life certification (MRLC) of the 32-year-old submarine. The upgrade will be completed by 2021. The contract includes new equipment delivery, maintenance of systems & components, on-site technical support & logistical services in form of documentation, training and spare parts. It will also provide life certification warranty of the INS Shishumar’s pressure hull for the next decade. The upgrade will extend the operational life of the submarine by 10 years. This contract is just the latest in a series of upgrade contracts for the Shishumar class submarines. A similar upgrade for another vessel of Shishumar class to follow (INS Shankush).

Picture


Sensors
  • Original sensors include
  • Atlas Elektronik CSU 83 active/passive sonar
  • Thomson Sintra DUUX-5 passive sonar
  • Thomson-CSF Calypso surface search radar.

Hensoldt Optronics has upgraded the Shishumar (HDW Type-209) class submarines with a combination of OMS-100/110 optronic mast and the SERO-400 direct view periscope. The dual-axis stabilised OMS 110 sensor package incorporates a high-resolution TV camera, a mid-wave thermal camera. The SERO 400 family uses direct view optics, providing an experienced observer with detailed recognition, especially with regard to colour fidelity and the recognition of coloured position lights. The binocular eyepiece also helps the observer to gain a certain spatial impression of the scene observed, which is not possible with any two-dimensional image display on a monitor. It encapsulates high performance direct view optics, TV camera, Laser Range Finder, antenna providing ESM/DF, V/UHF communication and GPS.


Weapons

The 3rd and 4th boats of the Shishumar class, S46 INS Shakti and S47 INS Shankul, received an upgrade in 2016 by to be fitted with Harpoon missiles. Shishumar class submarines can also carry 24 external strap-on mines.
 
UGM-84L Harpoon Block II
​

The Harpoon is all weather, subsonic, over the horizon, anti-ship missile which can be launch from surface ships, submarines and aircraft. Its guidance system consists of a 3-axis integrated digital computer/ radar altimeter for midcourse guidance, and an active radar seeker for the terminal phase of the flight.  The Harpoon Block II is an improved version of the Harpoon missile and is able to strike land-based targets and ships in littoral environments. The Block II incorporated the GPS/INS guidance system of the JDAM bombs and the mission computer, software, and GPS antenna employed by the SLAM ER missile. The missile carries a 224 kg warhead.The multi-mission Block II can be launched from submarines and surface ships such as fast patrol boats, destroyers and frigates. 

Picture
UGM-84 Harpoon was launched from a Submarine


AEG SUT mod 1

The AEG SUT 264 is a German 21 inch heavyweight torpedo produced by Atlas Elektronik which entered service in 1967. It is a Wire-guided, active/passive homing torpedo. AEG-SUT Mod-1 torpedo has the range of some 30 kilometer at the speed of some 35 knots.. The torpedo carries a 250-kt (551-lb) HE warhead. The max speed of the torpedo is 35 kts and its range is 28 km (17.4 miles) at 23 kts and 12 km (7.5 miles) at 35 kts.
In 2013 OEM Atlas Elektronik was contracted to upgrade the 64 SUTs remaining in Indian service. The upgrade programme will essentially extend the life of the torpedoes by at least 15-17 years.

Picture


Sindhughosh-Class (Type 877EM (6)) (Type 877 EKM (2))

India possesses eight Sindhughosh-class diesel-electric attack submarines. These Kilo-class units act as the mainstay of India’s submarine fleet and are being progressively retrofitted to accommodate the Klub/3M-54E Alfa cruise missile system. The final unit was the first to be equipped with the Klub antiship cruise missiles with a range of 220 km. These submarines are 72.6 meters long with a 9.9-meter-wide beam and can travel up to 18 knots when submerged. They can remain submerged for about 45 days without surfacing. Their weapons systems are capable of firing torpedoes and anti-ship missiles. The submarines have a displacement of 3,000 tonnes, a maximum diving depth of 300 meters, top speed of 18 knots, and are able to operate solo for 45 days with a crew of 53.

The Kilo class features a water-drop shape double hull with a T-shape stern rudder and a single large shaft. A pair of bow planes is located close to the midship on the upper hull in front of the sail. With a reserve buoyancy of 32%, the submarine consists of six watertight compartments separated by transverse bulkhead in a pressured double hull, which increases the survivability of the submarine, even with one compartment and adjacent ballast tanks flooded. The command and control and fire-control systems are located in the main control room which is sealed off from other compartments. The submarine is a single-shaft vessel with a double hull. The bow planes are positioned close to the midship to improve the performance of the sonar. To reduce the submarine’s acoustic signature, the flooding ports have been removed from the forebody. It also has a new gas-freeing system and the hull is covered with rubber anti-sonar protection tiles to reduce the risk of detection. To reduce the submarine’s acoustic signature, the flooding ports are removed from the forebody, and the hull is covered with rubber anechoic tile to reduce its noise level. Nicknamed the “Black Hole” by many in the submarine community, the Improved Kilos are extremely quiet.

In 2015, Malabar naval exercise, between the navies of India and the United States, involved INS Sindhudhvaj and USS City of Corpus Christi hunting each other. Sindhudhvaj managed to track Corpus Christi and score a simulated kill without being detected. INS Sindhuvijay was used Indian made sonar USHUS to detect US Submarine.

Two ou of Ten of the original Kilos are already out of service; INS Sindhurakshak suffered a major fire and explosion on 14 August 2013 and later the submarine was sunk in 3000 meters of water in the Arabian Sea during June 2017. India handed over one Sindhughosh submarine INS Sindhuvir to Myanmar Navy.

Upgrade Programme

On 29 August 2014 DAC cleared the long-awaited mid-life upgrade of the four Kilo-class submarines, which carried out in Indian shipyards.
In December 2015, L&T was chosen by the Russian shipbuilder Sevmash to be its Indian partner in the refit project. While the first of the four Kilo class subs went to the Russian Zvezdochka shipyard for inspection and refit, the remaining three were modernized at the Kattupalli shipyard. Upgrade the extended their operational life by 35 years.

Picture
INS Sindhukesari
Picture

Weapons

6 single 533mm TT with

53-65KE

Torpedo 53-65 - Soviet heavy torpedo designed to fight surface units, equipped with a homing system to aim the target along its track . Due to the used oxidizer in the form of 85–98% high-test peroxide (HTP) hydrogen peroxide , it is one of the most dangerous torpedoes in the world to store and use. 53-65KE is wake-homing; 2,200 kg total mass; 200kg warhead; up to 40 km range; up to 500 m depth of search. The 53-65KE is an exported version. China received an unknown number of 53-65KE torpedoes from Russia after purchasing 4 Kilo class submarines in the 1990s.

Picture

TEST-71ME

TEST-71M is an autonomous and remotely controlled torpedo designed to engage either surface ships or submerged submarines. Sealed into a nitrogen filled container and featuring an electric propulsion system can be launched from both ships (TEST-71M-NK) and submarines (TEST-71M and TEST-71M-NK). Both torpedoes feature proximity (electromagnetic and/or acoustic) fuzes and two impact fuzes. Its electric propulsion system provides a maximum range of 20,000 meters and two speed modes to minimize interferences with the launcher ship's sonar system. The TEST-71M's homing head has a maximum detection range of 1,000 meters compared to 1,500 meters in the improved TEST-71M-NK torpedo. The TEST-71M-NK/TEST-71ME-NK torpedo has been selected as the replacement for 53-65SK torpedoes onboard Project 877EKM submarines.
​
In addition to the initial prototype, was developed TEST-71 4 variant is more TEST 71M, TEST 71MK, TEST 71ME-NK and TEST 3. Among them, only variations TEST 71ME-NK is capable of versatile attack. TEST-71ME-NK  has 533 mm diameter, 7.93 m long, weight 1.820 kg; warhead weighs 205 kg and has a great advantage is equipped with 2 fuses different: it needs to target (acoustics and magnetic field) and hit explosion. Torpedo operations are controlled by wireless remote, semi-active probes and transducers for sonar target detection range up to 1.5 km.

TEST-71ME-NK propulsion system is equipped with 2 dual propeller, 48km/h cruise speed and increased to 74 km/h in the final stages, 20 km long range attack at a depth of up to 400m.

Picture
Picture
Picture

SET-65E

The SET-65 is a heavyweight torpedo of Soviet origin. It is an acoustic homing torpedo introduced in 1965 for use against submarines, including deep diving nuclear submarines. SET-65 is launched from both surface ships and submarines. It is fitted with an electric motor and over time various homing systems were developed. The SET-65 is a free running torpedo and serves as the basis for the TEST-71 series of wire guided torpedoes.
SET-65E is Export model of the SET-65 torpedo. It is an electrical (Silver zinc battery) Torpedo with active acoustic guidance. The range of the homing system was about 880 yards (800 m). It has a range of 16Km at 40kt speed. Can be used up to 400m depth. Warhead contains 205 kg explosive charge.
​
3M54E Klub 

Picture
SET 65A
Picture
SET 65


Kalvari Class (Scorpène) (2 operational) (Project P 75)


The Kalvari Class is an Indian Navy specific version of the French Scorpène design. Currently 2 are in service, 2 more are on trials and 2 are under construction. Together with the Project-75I type they will replace the ageing Shishumar class (German Type-209) and Sindhughosh class (Russian Kilo). It has a length of 67.5 m (221 ft), height of 12.3 m (40 ft), overall beam of 6.2 m (20 ft) and a draught of 5.8 m (19 ft). It can reach a top speed of 20 kn (37 km/h) when submerged and a maximum speed of 11 kn (20 km/h) when surfaced. The submarine has a range of 6,500 nmi (12,000 km) at 8 kn (15 km/h) when surfaced.


The state-of-art features of the Scorpene include superior stealth and the ability to launch a crippling attack on the enemy using precision guided weapons. The attack can be launched with torpedoes, as well as tube launched anti-ship missiles, whilst underwater or on surface. The Stealth features give it invulnerability, unmatched by many submarines.

The Scorpene Submarine is designed to operate in all theatres including the Tropics. All means and communications are provided to ensure interoperability with other components of a Naval Task Force. It can undertake multifarious types of missions typically undertaken by any modern submarine i.e  Anti-Surface warfare, Anti-Submarine warfare, Intelligence gathering, Mine Laying, Area Surveillance etc.
Kalvari Class Submarines are built from special steel, capable of withstanding high yield stress and having high tensile strength, thereby allowing them to withstand high hydrostatic force and enabling them to dive deeper to further enhance stealth.

The Submarine is built according to the principle of Modular Construction, which involves dividing the submarine into a number of sections and building them parallelly. The equipment is mounted onto Cradles and then embarked into the sections. The complexity of the task increases exponentially as it involves laying of around 60 kms of cabling and 11 kms of piping in extremely congested and limited space inside the submarine.
Planning and design of the Scorpene class ship were directed towards achieving an extremely quiet vessel with great detection capability and offensive power. Hull, sail and appendage forms have been specifically designed to produce minimum hydrodynamic noise. The various items of equipment are mounted on elastic supports, which are in turn mounted on uncoupled blocks and suspended platforms. The isolation also provides better shock protection to the equipment.

The Scorpene is equipped with Weapons Launching Tubes (WLT), and can carry weapons on board which can be easily reloaded at sea, through special handling and loading equipment. The array of weapons and complex sensors fitted on board the Scorpene are managed by a high technology Combat Management System, which integrates various diverse systems fitted onboard into One Formidable Whole.

Indian Scorpene submarine lacking an AIP capability is likely to be at a huge disadvantage over an AIP fitted Chinese or Pakistani submarine. AIP enabled submarines lurking underwater, can make a silent and undetected approach close to a warship or submarine, and launch a torpedo attack with a better probability of kill. This makes protection of capital ships within a Fleet Task Force highly vulnerable simply because of the hostile submarine is already elusive and can approach its torpedo firing range before being detected or engaged by even by the latest P-8I multirole maritime patrol aircraft.  In the future India will fit indigenously developed AIP in Kalvari Class submarines which is currently under development. 
​
Each Kalvari class ship is powered by four MTU 12V 396 SE84 diesel engines, has 360 battery cells (750 kg each), for power and has a silent Permanently Magnetised Propulsion Motor. The hull, fin and hydroplanes are designed for minimum underwater resistance and all equipment inside the pressure hull is mounted on shock absorbing cradles for enhanced stealth. Special steel was used in its construction which has high tensile strength, capable of withstanding high yield stress and hydro-static force. Each submarine has 60 km of cabling and 11 km of piping. The class displaces 1,615 t (1,780 short tons) when surfaced and 1,775 t (1,957 short tons) when submerged.
The class is also fitted with mobile C303/S anti-torpedo decoys for self-defence. The weapon systems and sensors are integrated with Submarine Tactical Integrated Combat System (SUBTICS). It has a sonar system is capable of Low Frequency Analysis and Ranging (LOFAR) enabling long range detection and classification. Each submarine has a complement of 8 officers and 35 sailors.
Picture


Sensors
 
The vessel’s sonar suite includes a long-range passive cylindrical array, intercept sonar, active sonar, distributed array, flank array, high-resolution sonar for mine and obstacle avoidance, as well as a towed array.

USHUS

The S-Cube

Kalvari class submarines are fitted with S-Cube integrated sonar suite. S-Cube Sonar Suite on kalvari class comprises bow, flank, distributed, towed, intercept and active arrays, self–noise monitoring, 3D MOAS, as well as associated functions. As an integrated system, the S-Cube provides situational awareness capabilities by offering instantaneous access to all sensors data.  These data can also be post-processed on a long history period at any moment on request of the sonar operator, providing an invaluable tool for contact analysis and classification, localization and tracking.

Features of S Cube

S-CUBE enables permanent safety of the platform while providing cutting-edge passive and active performance in deep or littoral waters to detect, classify, locate and track a full panorama of widely threats.
  • Permanent safety
“Safety bubble” around the submarine owing to a set of arrays ensuring 360° coverage over a wide range of frequencies.
Optional HF active sonar (Navigation and Mine & Obstacle Avoidance Sonar) to further enhanced safety.
  • Acoustic advantage to detect before being detected

High performance sonar based on multi-sensors views and processing from a consistent combination of acoustic arrays (Planar Flank and Bow Arrays, etc).
Digital arrays, with elevation capability and extended frequency range.
Advanced algorithms including high resolution Adaptive Beamforming and ASW processing tools.
  • Flexible solution/Easy upgrades

Based on the Open System Architecture for scalability, upgradability; easy and incremental insertion of additional sensors and new capabilities and allows third party algorithms insertion.
Full integration in the combat system.
Seamless integrate to any combat system.
  • Reduced operator workload
New generation HCI designed with and for submariners.
Increased effectiveness: significant reduction in operating manpower and training – integrated aids and alerts for operators.
 
Main Characteristics
  •  Modular architecture based on COTS
  • Bow Array: cylindrical and conformal
  • Stern array for full panoramic coverage
  • Planar Flank Array
  • Towed Array (clip-on or fully reelable)
  • Intercept Array
  • Distributed Array
  • Active Array in BF and HF bandwith
  • Mine & Obstacle Avoidance Array
  • Self Noise Monitoring hydrophones

Picture
S CUBE SONAR Suite


Series 30 SMS (Search Mast System)

The Series 30 SMS is a non-penetrating mast designed for above-surface surveillance: navigation safety, surveillance, intelligence collection and self-protection combining electronic and optronic warfare. Compatible with a full range of electromagnetic antenna (GPS, ESM, early warning and communication), it includes a high-definition thermal imager as well as a high-definition camera, and can simultaneously accommodate a low-light level, anti-blooming camera and a laser range finder.
​
The Series 30 SMS (Search Mast System) has four simultaneously operational sensors; image processing and operating modes make it perfect for advanced detection of airborne or surface threats. The Series 20 Attack Periscope System (APS) is a modern, highly reliable attack periscope providing outstanding optical performances.
Its four optronic sensors, which can be used simultaneously to obtain panoramic scene captures in record time, are the fastest on the market. Known as the “Quick Look Round” feature, it enables panoramic or segment displays in separate, full resolution or compressed windows. This mode is available in addition to the conventional, live display of the different video channels.

Picture


Weapons

Six 533mm Torpedo Tube
Can hold 30 Mines

SM39 Exocet Block 2 AShM

Exocet SM39 is the submarine-launched version of the Exocet family. It features all weather capability, sea skimming flight, solid propellant and a high kill warhead.The missile has a range of 50 km, which enables the submarine to go into action while remaining out of enemy detection and weapon range. Flexibility and versatility are provided thanks to the system’s large launch envelope.

Housed in a water-tight, highly resistant, propelled and guided underwater vehicle, the aerial missile is ejected as soon as it breaks the surface, to ensure a very low culmination altitude. It then rapidly homes into the target at sea skimming level: it uses an inertial navigation system followed by autonomous terminal guidance from an active RF seeker.
​
It has a length of 4.69 m and a diameter of 350 mm. Alone, the missile itself weighs 655 kg, but the weight increases to 1,345 kg when combined with the VSM (Vehicule Sous-Marin) container launch module. Although the VSM is necessary for launch, the missile separates from the container at a low altitude after breaking surface. 

AEG SUT HWT
​

Picture
Exocet SM 39


Project 75I (Future)

The Project 75I-class submarine is follow-on of the Project 75 Kalvari-class submarine for the Indian Navy. Under this project, the Indian Navy intends to acquire six diesel-electric submarines. The main capability jump for Project-75I will be Air Independent Power (AIP). This will allow the submarines to remain submerged for longer periods. All six submarines are expected to be constructed in Indian shipyards.

The Project-75I is one of the most important and strategically significant naval programmes being undertaken by the Ministry of Defence (MoD) in the new decade. It is in line with the government’s Strategic Partnership (SP) Model and has broad-based the competition which is fair in a high-value project. Under the SP model, the Project 75I is the second one to be processed, and submarines for the Indian Navy will be built-in India through technology transfer.
The design of the Project-75I has not been selected yet. On 21 January 2020, the Government of India shortlisted Larsen & Toubro and Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders as the two Indian firms. Defence ministry (MoD) sources on 10-07-202 said the tender or RFP (request for proposal) “should be issued by next month” to defence shipyard Mazagon Docks (MDL) and private ship-builder L&T for the submarine programme. It will be the first project to be launched under the strategic partnership (SP). The two Indian shipyards or SPs will have to submit their technical and commercial bids in response to the RFP after they tie up with their preferred original equipment manufacturer (OEM) from the five short-listed by the MoD earlier. The five OEMs are Rubin Design Bureau (Russia), Naval Group-DCNS (France), ThyssenKrupp Marine Systems (Germany), Navantia (Spain) and Daewoo (South Korea).Indian Navy hopes to induct the first new submarine seven years after the P-75I contract is finally inked by 2021-2022. India’s P-75I for six new submarines, with both land-attack cruise missiles and AIP, was first granted “acceptance of necessity (AoN)” way back in November 2007 but is yet to be finalized.
​
MoD says P-75I, which can be finalized by December 2021 at the earliest, will bring in key technologies to ensure the next submarine-building project (P-76) is completely indigenous in design and technology. 



Unmanned Under Water Vehicles

As a new emerging power in the Asia Pacific, India has designed and constructed some UUVs for the last few years. In 2016, a  prototype  was  successfully  made  and  designed  to  be  deployed  in  military  operation  at  sea.  Latest  discourse  of  UUVs  development  in  India  is  integrated  operation  between  UUVs  and  submarines  for  the  purposes of surveillance.
 
Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) has been designing and developing multiple AUVs to meet broader operational requirements for futuristic scenarios. In April 2016, DRDO scientists successfully developed an autonomous underwater prototype for multiple maritime missions in India's waters. Manohar Parrikar, the defence minister, announced in the Parliament that a feasibility study undertaken for the development of different types of AUV platforms showed that the DRDO was capable of designing various kinds of UUVsfrom hand-held slow-speed ones, to military-class platforms, 22 with the capability to assist in the entire gamut of maritime security the capability to assist in the entire gamut of maritime security.
 
NSTL AUV

DRDO NSTL have developed an autonomous underwater vehicle and demonstrated its capabilities. This vehicle can undertake surveillance, intelligence and recognisance tasks. Built for extended operations at a depth of upto 100m, for surveillance, intelligence gathering, mine detection, sea cordon operations etc, the AUV is understood to be priced at just over $8 million making it one of the most competitively priced systems in the market today. With the Electronics Corporation India Ltd (ECIL) as an engineering partner, DRDO's naval science and technology laboratory (NSTL) in Visakhapatnam is also trying to develop a variant of the AUV that can conduct more frontline activity like mine-laying.
 
The DRDO's AUV is a four-metre long, 1.4-metre wide, flat fish-shaped vehicle which can travel at a speed of about seven km per hour at depths of up to 300 metres below sea level. Fully pre-programmed in terms of algorithms and mission requirements, the robotic vehicle is piloted by an on-board computer that employs technologies developed by NSTL.

It weighs around 1.7 tonnes and can carry around 500 kg of pay load. NSTL also has plans to develop the advanced version of these UAVs in a larger size and 10 to 12 tonnes in weight. According to NSTL sources, the current one is 4 m in length and 1.4 m in width and can move at a speed of about 7 km per hour.The AUVs will enhance the underwater surveying capabilities of the Indian Navy. These vehicles can detect enemy ships and submarines.

Key features & capabilities

•Flat fish shaped, free flooding, re-configurable
•Size: 4.6 m x1.6 m x 0.7 m, Disp. : 1.5 Cum.
•Payload: 500 kg, positively buoyant with hovering
•OAS and INS, GPS & DVL aided navigation
•Underwater and surface comm. , U/W Camera and lights
•Normal and emergency recovery aids

Applications
​

•Target for u/w exercises & deployment of leave behind sensors
•For surveillance & Oceanographic surveys

Picture
Picture
Picture


Saab’s AUV-62

Indian Navy currently operating self-propelled underwater reusable targets. The AUV62-AT acts as a training target that emulates a real submarine. It resembles a real submarine in a range of ASW scenarios and can be deployed in operator training activities, as well as the evaluation of sonar and other command control systems.
It can also be used for testing the capabilities of existing naval ASW systems. It is compatible with modern torpedoes and ASW sonar systems.AUV62-AT is highly flexible and can be launched from a ship or a submarine, as well as from shore. Launch and recovery of the training system are supported by a custom-designed docking device.The AUV-62 AT training system includes an AUV62-AT vehicle, signal generation and analysis system, advanced mission planning system, mission evaluation system, launch and recovery system (LARS), as well as an integrated logistics support (ILS) system.

Weighing approximately 620kg, the system features an extended mast for effective communication and data transfer. The transducers located on top of the vehicle enable generation and transmission of echo and noise. The extendable tail provides target elongation capability to the system, while hydrophones mounted on the hull facilitate echo repetition. The signature generation system on-board the unit is capable of producing both active and passive signals.
​
Note: Indian navy operating self-propelled underwater reusable targets for training, we believe it is AUV 62 but not confirmed yet, only one report indicates it is AUV 62. 

Picture
Picture

NSTL 'Autonomous Sea Vehicle' (ASV)
​

Autonomous Sea Vehicle (ASV) is an ambitious and secretive program of NSTL; it is on the lines of the US Navy's 'Manta Unmanned Underwater Vehicle' program. According to reports ASV is making gradual progress. The Indian ASV will be a 'submadrones' a submarine launched swimming spy plane, contained within an underwater drone with folded wings housed in a torpedo canister. The drone is designed to be launched from submarine tubes and deploy in reconnaissance mode for a fixed time period. On completion of the task, it is programmed to drop into the water, to be then recovered by a small autonomous vehicle and returned to the submarine.
The Manta UUV is over 30 feet long and carries a payload of up to five tons, which can include additional smaller underwater drones, for which it acts like a mother ship, and torpedo weapons.

Samudra AUV

For deep-sea exploration, India has the Samudra, a low-cost AUV that operates underwater with pre-programmed inputs. Fitted with an on-board image processing unit, it can undertake path detection, obstacle avoidance and target identification under the sea.
 
AUV Carrier (Future capability)
 
AUV carriers (like aircraft carriers) that can fly in and fly out AUVs to and from the mother ship to the theater of operation at sea. These AUVs may have amphibious capabilities (land, air, sea surface and U/W). They will be networked systems with Ocean satellites, ocean Stations and sea lab etc. 

Picture
A Diagram of AUV Carrier


Other platforms which has potential to go into Indian Navy arsenal

L&T Admaya Submarine launched AUV.

Adamya is a five meters long heavy weight AUV is designed to perform underwater mission for so long time, L&T says the Adamya’s underwater endurance is more than eight hours with maximum speed of some 6 knots. This can dive up to 500 meters; with the operational payload of multiple systems can be customized by the user.
The Adamya AUV can be launched from submarine torpedo tube without having any further modifications in the submarine, it can also be launched from surface ships with simple launch and recovery systems comes with the Adamya AUV pack.

The AUV can undertake various missions which include, Hydrographic survey, underwater mine detection and countermeasure, Intelligence surveillance and reconnaissance mission, offshore survey, harbor security, clandestine monitoring, environmental monitoring and anti submarine operations. The payloads can be switched by respective missions, with the capacity of some 50 kilo grams.

In the front section of payload, it can carry a forward looking sonar, an underwater camera, CTD sensor (Conductivity, Temperature and depth), and a customized payload. Afterwards it comes with a large space for customized payload along with other connectivity solutions. This where most of the mission payloads can be kept.
The vehicle controlled by a combination of Doppler velocity logger, Intertial navigation system and GPS. The AUV powered by a Lithium Polymer battery which can give enough power supply to the AUV to work upto eight hours at an nominal speed of some 4 knots. The AUV propelled by a contra rotating blades and two thrusters which is located in forward and end section.

The real time data can transmitted from the AUV using the on-board systems like RF Antenna, Wi fi and Acoustic modem, which can communicate easily to the mother ship or friendly warships close by.
L&T has highlighted several features on the Adamya to the Navy, including the fact that the vehicle's modular design and depth-rated shells enable mission customisation as per the Navy's needs without having to resort to pressure-proofing of the internal electronic systems. Other qualities include short turnaround time and ability to be air-shipped conveniently. The Adamya is being pitched for naval applications that include hydrographic survey (the Hydrography Dept. incidentally is also looking for AUVs), mine countermeasures, intelligence-surveillance-reconnaissance (ISR), offshore survey, clandestine monitoring, environmental monitoring and optional anti-submarine warfare
​
Features:
  • Endurance: 8 hours
  • Operating depth: 500 m
  • Maximum speed: 6 knots
  • Counter-rotating propellers
  Dimensions:
  • Diameter: 533 mm
  • Length: 5825 mm
  • Weight : 1012 kg

Picture
Picture

AUV 150

AUV (Autonomous Underwater Vehicle) - 150 is an unmanned underwater vehicle (UUV) being developed by Central Mechanical Engineering Research Institute (CMERI) scientists in Durgapur.

AUV-150 is capable of independently carrying various underwater operations. The vehicle was built with the intent of coastal security like mine counter-measures, coastal monitoring and reconnaissance. AUV 150 can be used to study aquatic life, for mapping of sea-floor and minerals along with monitoring of environmental parameters, such as current, temperature, depth and salinity. It can also be useful in cable and pipeline surveys. It is built to operate 150 metres under the sea and have cruising speed of up to four knots.

AUV 150 is modular shallow water AUV having five degrees of freedom. The vehicle uses a Lithium polymer battery. AUV 150 is equipped with hybrid communication system: it uses radio frequency on surface and acoustic at under water.

Picture
Picture


AUV Amogh 
Amogh is a third-generation Autonomous Underwater Vehicle (AUV), designed and developed in collaboration with M/s Edgelab, Italy. Amogh is loaded with the latest state-of-the-art sensors, payloads, propulsion and energy system suitable for hydrographic and underwater surveillance, and reconnaissance operations. The AUV is designed to comply with International Hydrographic Organisation Standards for Hydrographic Surveys and IMP regulations for the safety of navigation. The containerized design with built-in LARS and AUV maintenance support system is suitable for ease of deployment and installation.
 
Salient Features:
  • Endurance: 22 hours
  • Operating depth: 1000 m
  • Maximum speed: 5 knots
Dimensions:
  • Diameter : 700 mm
  • Length : 5700 mm
  • Weight : 1000 kg
Mode of operation
  • Supervised mode
  • Autonomous mode
  • Semi-autonomous mode
Payloads
  • Multi-beam Swath Bathymetry System
  • Side-scan SONAR
  • Obstruction avoidance Sonar
  • Sub-bottom profiler
  • underwater camera
Command, control & communication
  • Fiber optic link for shallow water application to operate AUV in ROV mode
  • Radio Frequency Link - Range ~ 3 km - Data Transfer rate ~ 9000 bps
  • Satellite Communication
  • Acoustic Modem

Picture
Picture

 
AUV Maya 
Maya is a small and modular AUV capable of carrying scientific and commercial payloads upto operating depth of 200 m. AUV Maya has a payload capacity of 4 kgs and is suited for requirements such as expendable Underwater Targets, Inspection AUVs, etc.
​
Navigation and positioning
  • IMU-INS
  • Doppler velocity log
  • High-accuracy depth sensor
  • Altimeter
  • USBL tracking and positioning from control platform
Salient Features
  • Endurance: 08 hours
  • Operating depth: 200 m
  • Maximum speed : 3 knots
Dimensions
  • Diameter : 234 mm
  • Length : 1742 mm
  • Weight : 55 kg

Picture
MAYA fitted with Sensors
Picture


​Midget Submarines

Indian Navy Swimmer Delivery Vehicle

The Indian Navy Swimmer Delivery Vehicle (SDV) is a planned class of midget submarine for the Indian navy. Under this programme the Indian Navy will acquire 2 midget submarines for use as Swimmer Delivery Vehicles. These submarines will be used for conducting underwater special operations by MARCOS. Both submarines will be constructed by Hindustan Shipyard Limited. The cost of procuring the two SDVs will be around 2,000 crore.
For the Navy's Marine Commando Force, the midgets will transport armament and equipment from the mother craft to attack targets such as ships riding at anchor and coastal installations, according to a Navy official. The subs will also carry out covert surveillance attacks in shallow waters
 
DSRV

In December 2018, the Indian Navy had inducted two DSRVs, supplied by UK-based company James Fisher Defence (JFD).  While the Indian Navy had mulled the purchase for DSRVs for several years, the tragic accident on the INS Sindhurakshak in 2013 that left 18 personnel dead highlighted gaps in rescue facilities in the event of underwater emergencies.

The DSRV is equipped with sophisticated radar and a remotely operated vehicle (ROV), which extends the vessel's operating depth and can be used for clearing debris and obstructions. The DSRV has a crew of three personnel and can rescue up to 14 personnel from a stranded submarine at a time.
​
The DSRV, being smaller than military submarines, can be transported by specially equipped ships or the Indian Air Force's heavy-lift aircraft, such as the C-17, to the vicinity of a submarine emergency.
In 2018, the Indian Navy awarded a contract to Hindustan Shipyard to build two diving support vessels that will act as 'mother ships' to support the operations of the DSRV fleet. The diving support vessels, which will be about 118 metres long, are expected to be ready by 2021.

Picture
Picture


India’s underwater wall

Details of India’s underwater sensor network for detecting submarines and ships are not available from the available sources we learnt that. India was planned to undertake joint projects with Japan and the United States for the defense of its littoral spaces; including one for the installation of sound surveillance sensors (SOSUS) chain in India’s near seas.  New Delhi is considering Japanese assistance in the construction of an undersea network of seabed-based sensors stretching from the tip of Sumatra right up to Indira Point in the Bay of Bengal to prevent Chinese submarines from approaching Indian exclusive economic zone.

There is no official confirmation of these developments. However, it is entirely possible China’s anti-access/area denial (A2/AD) plans in Southeast Asia may have served as a trigger for an Indian response in the Bay of Bengal. In 2015, after the 10-member ASEAN defense minister’s meeting concluded, India decided to play a greater role in Indian Ocean Region (IOR) and South China Sea. Ex-defense minister, Mr. Manohar Parrikar, had a pivotal role to play in enhancing Indian Navy’s capabilities. . This was followed by laying of an undersea optical fiber cable from mainland to Andaman Nicobar islands, and a network of seabed-based surveillance sensors from Indira point to Sumatra in Indonesia.

Besides providing funds for the upgrading of naval air bases and construction of new electronic/signals intelligence stations along the Andaman and Nicobar chain of islands, Tokyo was planned to finance an undersea optical fiber cable from Chennai to Port Blair.  Japanese multinational provider of information technology services and products NEC was roped in to lay optical submarine cable system between Chennai and Port blair. The project commenced in December 2019 It is apparently a 2300 Km long cable system which can carry 100Gb/s optical waves. In Aug 10, 2020, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the submarine optical fiber cable (OFC) connecting Chennai and Andaman & Nicobar from Chennai to Port Blair, Port Blair to Little Andaman and Port Blair to Swaraj Island. The high impact projects are being expanded in 12 islands of Andaman and Nicobar. This network is likely to be integrated with the existing U.S.-Japan “Fish Hook” SOSUS network meant specifically to monitor People’s Liberation Army-Navy(PLAN) submarine activity in the South China Sea and the Indian Ocean Rim.  In 2020 Japan decided to transmogrify its state secret laws to share intelligence with UK, India and Australia.

All India’s submarines and warships at Vishakhapatnam benefit from the new SOSUS Link and then west naval bases at Chennai, Vishakhapatnam etc. This integrated Undersea surveillance System (IUSS) (SOSUS Old Name) Link will act as a force multiplier, giving early warning of Chinese ships, especially Submarines movements in the Indian Ocean. The IUSS cable might detect and triangulate an SSK diesel engine even if the submarine is 1000Km away in the Indian Ocean. As the submarines gets closer to SOSUS array many additional submarines sounds can be discerned eg SSN reactor water/steam circulation, generator gearing-electrical motor sounds from SSNs and SSKs, dropped tools and water swishing over the hull sounds. Cavitations sounds might be picked up from Chinese SSNs over 15 knots submerged cruising speeds and SSKs over 5 knots submerged cursing. Within 100km the diesel sounds of an SSK might reveal an individual SSK even identifying as SSK known to be captioned by a particular commander (may be judged by his maneuvering habits). Identification of submarine Type or actual submarine is much easier if there are already recordings of the submarines sound on an Indian super computer data base (Library).

The bay of Bengal SOSUS is likely to be connected to shore stations at Vishakhapatnam. These may house Super Computers monitored by Indian Navy and may be NTRO analysts who particularly want to determine what type of submarines are making noise as well as its courses and speed . Once the sound s have been processed identified they need to be sent to the right naval assets e.g. Naval HQs at Vishakhapatnam, Mumbai and to Indian ships, submarines at sea and Indian P8I via satellite or powerful shore based radio stations. Indian ships Submarines can cue onto and then tail the Chinese Pakistani submarines detected.
​
Note: These figures are unofficial and debatable.  

Picture
SOSUS
Picture


Anti Submarine Capabilities

Ship board ASW Assets

Indian Navies front line warships like Kolkata class destroyers are equipped with the ‘HUMSA-NG’ hull mounted sonar system. These sensory systems effectively act as the vessel’s ears and eyes providing the crew with unmatched operational awareness.

The Kolkata-class is equipped with a torpedo launching system via four torpedo tubes and two RBU-6000 anti-submarine rocket launchers. Most of the Indian navy destroyers are capable of firing various torpedoes for ASW. The most deadly among them is the indigenously developed heavy weight torpedo Varunastra. Varunastra can fire from Delhi-class destroyer ,Kolkata-class destroyer ,Rajput-class destroyer Talwar-class frigate etc .

Varunastra torpedo is powered by an electric propulsion system with multiple 250 KWs Silver Oxide Zinc (AgOZn) batteries. It can achieve speeds in excess of 40 kn (74 km/h; 46 mph), weighs around 1.25 tons and can carry 250 kg (550 lb) of conventional warhead. This torpedo has more than 95 per cent indigenous content. Varunastra has conformal array transducer which enables it look at wider angles than most common torpedoes. It also has an advanced autonomous guidance algorithms with low drift navigational aids, insensitive warhead which can operate in various combat scenarios. It is the only torpedo in the world to have a GPS-based locating aid. The exercise variant of Varunastra has integrated instrumentation system for recording all the dynamic parameters of the weapon, redundancy in recovery aids in case of emergency shut down or malfunction.

Various torpedoes using by Indian Navy
  • Whitehead A244-S anti-submarine torpedo
  • APR-3E torpedo
  • SET-65E/53-65KE torpedo
  • Type 53-65 torpedo (passive wake homing)
  • TEST 71/76 anti-submarine, active and passive homing torpedo
  • AEG-SUT Mod-1 wire-guided, active/passive homing torpedo
  • DM2A4 Seahake torpedo

  • Advanced Light Torpedo Shyena
 
The Advanced Light Torpedo (TAL) Shyena is the first indigenous advanced lightweight anti-submarine torpedo of India, developed by Naval Science and Technological Laboratory (NSTL) of the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) for the Indian Navy.
 
Shyena is a processor based torpedo which incorporates solid-state electronics, digital technology and has been equipped with an integrated Active/Passive sensor package for homing. It is designed to be capable of launching from both a helicopter or from a triple-tube launcher on surface vessels. Its key design feature is maneuverability and ability to transition from warm to cold medium to ensure a hunt and kill. The development period of the torpedo was quite long, starting in the 1990s, and was inducted into the Indian Navy on 3 March 2012.
 
It is an electrically propelled self-homing torpedo and can be launched from ship and rotary wing aircraft. It has both active and passive modes of operations, and all digital control and guidance systems. TAL is an anti submarine weapon, which can attack submarines in shallow waters & deep waters.
 
Salient Features
 
  • High power seawater activated battery
  • Operating Depth 450 m
  • Weight (War head version) 220 kg

Picture
Picture

 
  • Varunastra
 
The submarine-launched version of the Varunastra is currently under development and is expected to arm the IN’s Sindhughosh (Kilo) and Arihant Classes, once that is complete. As per the latest report Varunastra has been accepted and will be going into production phase.

Picture


​ 
  • Takshak (Under Development)
 
DRDO’s naval research institute for underwater weapons, NSTL, has also been working to transform this 1300-kg ship-launched version into submarine-launched HWT known as Takshak torpedo system that will be armed on India’s Sindhughosh-class and Arihant-class boats. The under-development missile would be tested from one of the Sindhughosh-class SSKs to evaluate the weapon’s submarine engaging capability. Eventually, the firepower and underwater weaponry of the Indian Navy will soon get a big boost with the induction of these home-made HWTs.
 
  • Submarine launched Brahmos (Status Unknown)
 
A small version of the Russian-Indian cruise missile Brahmos can be launched from submarine torpedo tubes. BRAHMOS missile is capable of being launched from submarine from a depth of 40-50 metres. The missile can be installed in a modular launcher vertically in the pressure hull of the submarine. The missile has identical configuration similar to the ship based system. The canisterised missile is launched vertically; the nose cap prevents water from entering the 'air-intake' during the underwater flight. Once the missile emerges from the water, the sensors provide the “out of water command” and the nose cap is fired for turning the missile in the desired direction to hit the target. BRAHMOS installation in submarine will increase manyfold the 'offensive power' of the vessel without compromising on its 'defensive power' as the torpedo tubes can be fully utilized for defense.
 
All studies and simulation trials related to underwater launch have been completed. On 20 March 2013, the submarine-launched version of BRAHMOS supersonic cruise missile was successfully test fired from a submerged platform in Bay of Bengal off the coast of Visakhapatnam. Creating history, the missile took off vertically from the submerged platform for its full range of 290 kms. Following a pre-defined trajectory, the missile emerged from underwater, took a turn towards the designated target meeting all mission objectives. All the telemetry and tracking stations, including Indian naval ships positioned throughout the flight path, confirmed the pin-point accuracy of the mission. BRAHMOS is now ready for fitment in submarines, for vertical launch.
 

Picture

Indigenous Sonar’s of Indian Navy

  • Abhay - compact hull mounted sonar
  • Humsa UG
  • NACS - Near-field Acoustic Characterisation System
  • AIDSS - Advanced Indigenous Distress sonar system for submarines.
  • Advanced Light Towed Array Sonar (ALTAS)( under development)
  •  Low Frequency Dunking Sonar (LFDS)( under development)
  •  Advanced Active Cum Passive Hull mounted Sonars (under development)
  • Shallow water sonar( under development)

ASW Helicopters
​

MH 60 R Romeo
India will buy 24 MH-60 Romeo helicopters from Lockheed Martin for the Indian Navy for USD 2.6 billion.The helicopters, with anti-surface, anti-submarine warfare, search and rescue missions capabilities, will prove to be a very potent weapon against rising Chinese presence in the Indian Ocean Region.

‘Romeo’ Seahawk helicopters have advanced combat systems like sensors, missiles, and torpedoes to track and hunt enemy boats and submarines. Romeo’ Seahawk helicopters have advanced combat systems like sensors, missiles, and torpedoes to track and hunt enemy boats and submarines. The choppers will be armed with Hellfire missiles, precision kill weapon systems, and MK 54 torpedoes.

For Anti-surface warfare missions it can carry weapons on the four weapons stations, including AGM-114 Hellfire anti-surface missiles. For Anti-submarine warfare Three ATK mk50 or mk46 lightweight torpedoes. These helicopters would serve as replacements for the Sea King 42/42A helicopters. The first MH 60 will come in early 2021.

Picture

Naval Dhruv helicopter

Indian Navy acquired Dhruv helicopter developed by HAL in March 2008. The naval variant is fitted with Super Vision 2000 maritime radar, dunking sonar. The Naval Dhruv has cabin side pylons for torpedoes, depth charges or anti-ship missiles. The naval variant also has a retractable tricycle gear, a folding tail boom, a harpoon deck-lock, pressure refuelling, fairings on fuselage sides to house the main wheels, flotation gear and batteries.
The SV2000 maritime patrol radar developed by DRDO's Electronics & Radar Development Establishment (LRDE) for surveillance. The radar has the capability to detect and track airborne targets, sea surface targets and sub surface targets (submarines) under sea clutter at a range more than 90 Km. The radar is optimised to detect and track targets which have small RCS (Radar Cross Sections) like sea skimmer missiles and low flying aircraft under sea and weather clutter conditions.
​
The radar has been developed using special techniques with the frequency agility and coherent processing to detect targets under sea clutter. Advanced algorithms provide reliable performance under jamming conditions. The radar is built to perform two roles: a primary and a secondary role. Under the primary role, the radar performs sea surface surveillance for ships, vessels, submarines and air space for low and high altitude flying air targets. It supports navigation, weather characterisation and beacon functions as secondary roles.

Picture
Picture

SeaKing

Westland Sea King and the Sikorsky SH-3 Sea King: Used principally for anti-submarine warfare (ASW) and search & rescue roles, the helicopter fleet operate from INS Garuda (Kochi) as well as INS Shikra air stations. US sanctions on India in response to India's nuclear tests resulted in a large part of the Sea King fleet being grounded for want of spare parts. Seventeen of the Sea King helicopters will be upgraded. The upgrade will feature day and night capability, the capability to work in adverse weather conditions, integration of two anti-ship missiles with a range of fifty kilometers and new radar.

Picture
Picture


Ka 28

Of the ten Kamov 28 helicopters that were procured from the erstwhile USSR in the mid-80s, only a few are in flying condition today while the remaining has been mothballed for spares. India decided to undertake (in 2015) mid-life upgrade of six Russian-made Kamov 28 anti-submarine warfare helicopters besides overhaul of another four. Under the mid-life upgrade, the six choppers will get new sensors among others while the rest four will only undergo engine overhauling.

Picture

P8I Poseidon

P-8I is a long-range, multimission maritime patrol aircraft manufactured by Boeing, for the Indian Navy. It is a variant of the P-8A Poseidon operated by the US Navy. P-8I is intended to replace the ageing fleet of Tupolev Tu-142 aircraft that are in service with the Indian Navy.

The P-8I aircraft was designed to protect the vast coastline and territorial waters of India. It can conduct anti-submarine warfare (ASW), anti-surface warfare (AsuW), intelligence, maritime patrol, and surveillance and reconnaissance missions.

The P-8I aircraft is based on the Boeing Next Generation 737-800 aircraft. The forward section of the under-fuselage houses an internal weapons bay. The wings are fitted with hardpoints for carrying air-to-surface missiles.
The aircraft has a length of 39.47m, wing span of 37.64m and a height of 12.83m. The maximum take-off gross weight of the P-8I is 85,139kg.

The P-8I aircraft is manned by nine crew members. The cockpit is integrated with primary flight display, multifunction displays, identification friend or foe (IFF), flight management system and stores management system.
The aircraft is equipped with a CAE AN/ASQ-508A magnetic anomaly detection (MAD) system, APS-143C (V) 3 multimode radar and a global version of the Raytheon APY-10 surveillance radar.

The APY-10 radar provides precise information in all-weather, day and night missions. The P-8I also integrates BEL Data Link II communications system, Avantel mobile satellite system and a speech secrecy system from Electronics Corporation of India (ECIL).The internal weapons bay can house Mark 54 torpedoes, depth charges and free-fall bombs. The under-wing hardpoints can be armed with air-to-surface missiles.

In December 2010, India requested a sale of AGM-84L Harpoon Block II anti-ship missiles and associated equipment to equip its P-8I aircraft. The Harpoon Block II carries a 226kg blast / fragmentation warhead. It can be fired against land and sea targets.

The countermeasures are provided by directional infrared countermeasures (DIRCM) system and the electronic support measures (ESM) system supplied by Northrop Grumman. The DIRCM can protect the aircraft from incoming infrared guided missiles.

The P-8I aircraft is powered by two CFM56-7 engines supplied by CFM International, a joint venture between Snecma Moteurs and GE Electric. Each engine provides a take-off thrust of 27,300lb. The engines are equipped with a new-generation full authority digital engine control (FADEC) system.The P-8I aircraft can fly at a maximum speed of 789km/h and can reach a maximum altitude of 12,496m. The aircraft has a maximum range of 2,222km with four hours on station.
​
India currently has eight P-8I and has started the process to acquire six more Poseidon-8I. India may order another four. 

Picture

Il-38SD maritime patrol and anti-submarine warfare aircraft

The IL-38s formally entered service with the Indian Navy on 01 October 1977.The Indian Navy placed an upgrade contract for five aircraft in 2001. The program will extend the operational life of the aircraft up to 15 years. Two upgraded aircraft were delivered in January 2006 and third was delivered in 2008. The operational problems with the new avionics and electronic warfare system caused delays in further aircraft deliveries. The last aircraft was delivered in February 2010.

The fully digital Sea Dragon suite is designed to detect & intercept surface vessels and submarines, as well as detect mines and carry out surveillance. It can track more than 30 targets at one time from a distance of up to 320 kilometers. The suite can also detect airborne targets and can be linked to the Russian GLONASS (GLObal NAvigation Satellite System). It encompasses a new synthetic-aperture/inverse-synthetic-aperture radar located in a canoe fairing on the belly, a high-resolution FLIR (forward-looking infra-red) sensor, a LLTV (low-light television) camera, a new ESM (electronic-support-measures) system and a new MAD (magnetic anomaly detector) system in the aft section of the aircraft. The IL-38s will also be fitted with radio-frequency and infrared sensors, as well as decoys. Indian elements are a key part of the upgrade with DRDO (Defence Research and Development Organisation) supplying the aircraft's new electronic intelligence system, electronic countermeasures station system, digital firing decoys and radio communication system.
​
IL 38 SD test-fired maiden anti-ship missile, post modification and midlife upgrade in 2017.

Picture


Kamorta class (4)

The Kamorta class has been designed for the sole purpose of hunting submarines.
For Details about Kamorta Class Visit: - http://fullafterburner.weebly.com/next-gen-weapons/kamorta-class-corvette

Abhay-class corvette (3)

The Abhay-class corvettes of the Indian Navy are customized variants of the Soviet Pauk-class corvettes. The class is primarily intended for coastal patrol and anti-submarine warfare.Three vessels of the class currently serve in the Indian Navy.
Abhay class is modified from Pauk II class under Project 1241 PE. The ships were built at Volodarski shipyard in the former Soviet Union. Abhay class vessels are longer, have larger torpedo tubes and improved electronics when compared to the Pauk I class vessels. The ships in the class were named after former Abhay-class seaward defence boats.  Abhay class is to be upgraded with Abhay integrated sonar system developed by Naval Physical and Oceanographic Laboratory.

Picture


Anti Submarine Warfare Shallow Water Craft (Under Development)

The ASW-SWC corvettes are anti submarine warfare vessels ordered for the Indian Navy from Cochin Shipyard (CSL) and Garden Reach Shipbuilders & Engineers (GRSE). They are in the 700 ton range and will replace the Abhay-class corvette currently in service.

ASWSWCs will have a displacement of 750 tons, a maximum speed of 25 knots and will complement a crew of 57. The vessels will be capable of full scale sub surface surveillance of coastal waters, SAU and Coordinated ASW operations with aircraft. In addition, the vessels shall have the capability to interdict/destroy sub surface targets in coastal waters. They will also be capable to perform search and rescue operations, as well as aircraft monitoring and minelaying.  

Equipped with state-of-art indigenous Integrated Platform Management Systems, Propulsion, Auxiliary and PGD Machinery, these ships are capable of subsurface surveillance of coastal waters and laying of mines, making them a potent platform.

Induction of these specialized ships with lower draught, would significantly enhance coastal shallow water Anti Submarine Warfare capability of the Indian Navy with improved performance of weapons, sensors, hull mounted and towed sonar’s.

16 ships are planned 8 in CSL and 8 in GRSE.

India’s Secret Submarine Base

INS Varsha

Project Varsha is one of the secret projects undertaken by Indian government to provide Indian Navy underground secret bases off the east coast of country in an order to protect nuclear powered submarines that would form one of the third nuclear deterrence platforms of India.
It was planned to be located within a radius of approximately 200 kilometres from Visakhapatnam, which are the headquarters of the Navy’s Eastern Naval Command. But the base is being developed at Rambilli, 50 km from Visakhapatnam.

The base will be an “exclusive enclave by deepening at natural channel to have easy access to sea”, and will have extensive underground storage facilities. Open source satellite images show that a lot of work has been completed in the first phase of the project, with more than a dozen tunnels being dug to create the underground facility.
Also, just 20 km away at Atchutapuram, the Bhabha Atomic Research Centre (BARC) is constructing a research and development complex that will support the submarine base. About 845 hectares have already been handed to BARC for the new facility.

INS Varsha would de-congest the Visakhapatnam Port, which is used by both the Navy and the civilian Ministry of Shipping. The Navy’s dockyards at Vizag are facing shortage of berthing space due to the rapid expansion of the Eastern fleet, and is still expanding.

INS Varsha will have a large near-by facility of the Bhabha Atomic Research Centre (BARC), and will include modern nuclear engineering support facilities and extensive crew accommodation.It will also have underground pens to hide the submarines from spy satellites and protect them from enemy air attacks. The navy is seeking foreign technical assistance pertaining to nuclear safety features for the base.

INS Varsha would have undisclosed access tunnels on the mouth of deep water base and highly protected shelters along with jetties that are meant for demagnetizing submarines and is a conspicuous addition to the base facilities.
The biggest advantage of having underwater deep bases that the submarines do not need to surface on the water, they can come and go from the base through multiple underwater tunnels that open directly to the deep sea and lead straight from the secret base.

In any kind of conflict submarines are one of the most offensive platform of nuclear deterrence thus they can do their job well while not being detected by adversaries. The underground bases also provide highest protection than the ordinary bases on the coast shores provides, the underground bases are known to maintain top level of secrecy from any kind of threat including the satellite intelligence.

The construction of underground base started in 2009 but has struck several times due to finance crunch. INS Varsha would be accompanied by a weapon storage facility called ‘Missile Technical Positions near the underwater base.

₹160 crore were sanctioned for the project in the 2011-12 budgets, of which ₹58 crore were for civil works and the balance were for setting up a VLF communication system.
​
For the security reason, it is still highly classified that how big and capable the underground base would be but the base reportedly could docked some 8-12 nuclear powered submarine that are under construction and are being planned. The Varsha would be capable of housing other vessels of navy in forms of destroyers, frigates and replenishment ships.



​Chinese Underwater Capabilities

SUBMARINES

SSBN

Jin Class (Type-094) (~8)

The Type 094, or Jin-class as it is also known, is operated by the People’s Liberation Army Submarine Force. The Jin-class is a ballistic missile submarine that has an onboard nuclear reactor for propulsion. It is China’s second generation of nuclear-powered submarines and is a direct successor to the Type 092, or Xia-Class of nuclear subs.  Development of the Type 094 class was assisted by Russian Rubin Design Bureau; however this information was not confirmed. Construction of the lead vessel began in 1999 and it was launched in 2004. It seems that the first boat was commissioned in 2010. The second boat of the class was launched in 2007.
Jin is a drastic improvement over the Xia type 092. China currently operates a fleet of 6 Jin-class (Type 094) nuclear-powered ballistic missile submarines (SSBNs), which are based at the Longposan naval base near Yulin on Hainan Island. The Type 094 succeeds the Type 092 submarine and precedes the Type 096 submarine.
​
Type 094 nuclear powered submarine is approximately 137 meters long. It is equipped with 12 missile tubes, each capable of firing the JL-2 SLBM (Submarine Launched Ballistic Missile), which carries between one to three nuclear warheads to an estimated range of 7,200 km. The People’s Liberation Army Navy (PLAN) reportedly conducted its first test of the JL-3 in November 2018 from a Type 032 auxiliary test submarine 
Picture

Noise Level of Type 094

Although the Jin-class is more advanced than China’s first experimental SSBN – the single and now inoperable Xia (Type 092) – it is still a very noisy design and China would face constraints and challenges when operating its SSBN force. It therefore seems likely that China will end production after six boats and turn its efforts to developing the quieter third-generation (Type 096) SSBN, which is expected to begin construction in the early-2020s. 
According to some reports that the Jin-class may be detectable due to a design flaw at the rear of the hull near the missile hatches, which could create a detectable sonar signal.  The Jin-class SSBN design is fundamentally flawed in that the large missile compartment at the rear of the vessel and the flood openings below the missile hatches create a detectable sonar signature. A 2009 U.S. Office of Naval Intelligence report comparing the low-frequency noise level for China’s SSBN force to that of Russian 1970s-era SSBNs found that out of the twelve submarines profiled, the Xia-class SSBN was the most detectable and the Jin-class SSBN the fourth-most detectable.
The quietness of this sub was believed to be comparable to Russian Victor III SSN according to an Office of Naval Intelligence (ONI) report released in 1997. Thus, Type 094 was considered to be as quiet as Victor III. But in 2009, ONI released a new report with a chart comparing submarine quietness that showed the Type 094 to be noisier than Delta III SSBNs and Victor III SSNs.

Picture
Possible Detection range of Type 094 in shallow waters.

There are three possible operational patterns for Type 094:

Bastion strategy, coastal patrol, and open sea patrol. In a bastion strategy SSBNs patrol in heavily defended waters. Typically, the patrol area will be partially enclosed by a friendly shoreline and defended by naval and air forces. For China, most analysts point to the Bohai Gulf/Yellow Sea as candidate bastions
Coastal patrol can be seen as expanded bastion strategy. Coastal water refers to the continental shelf region, shallower than 200 m.
Open sea patrol would be possible if the Chinese Navy is confident in the survivability of the SSBNs, even without the protection of friendly forces. The difference between bastion/coastal patrol and open sea patrol is the depth of the water. Acoustic detection of a submarine in shallow water is more difficult than in deep water because, first, in deep water, sound waves propagate through refraction in the deep channel, while in shallow water they propagate through reflection against the sea surface and floor. The transmission loss of reflection is much greater than that of refraction. Second, passive SONAR array gain in shallow water is much less than that in deep water because the coherence of sound waves is greatly reduced in shallow water.
Given the noisiness of Type 094, it is very likely that China would undertake a combination of bastion and coastal patrol strategy. In addition, China doesn’t have experience in running an SSBN fleet in the open oceans. Evaluating the effectiveness of this strategy requires a clear understanding of Chinese coastal waters.
By 2018 Jin class boats were never sent on long-range deterrent patrol missions. Instead these boats are patrolling in South China Sea, relatively close to China's costal waters.

Weapons

Up to 12 JL-2 strategic SLBM
20 Torpedoes or 36 Mines

Yu-6 Heavy Weight Torpedo
​

The Yu-6  is China’s latest sub-launched torpedo. After the Yu-5, PLAN leaders realized that separate ASW and ASuW torpedoes were obsolete, and deemed their next torpedo to be dual-purpose, similar to the Mk 48. It was also to have improved speed and seeker technology. More than two-thirds of the technology used in the Yu-6 was supposed to be “new” technology. It utilizes Otto Fuel II like the Yu-5. Homing modes include active and passive as before, but also a “wake-homing” mode that was added, possibly with Russian assistance. It also uses a novel synthetic material shell.Domestic Chinese source has claimed that the Yu-6 torpedo is in the same class as the Mk 48 Mod. 4 torpedo. Official information on the Yu-6 torpedo is limited.

One characteristic of the Yu-6 torpedo is its high-performance processor, where most western torpedoes are thought to use old (reliable) processors. The microprocessor used for the Yu-6 is of approximately Intel 80486 class. Some Chinese sources have claimed that Loongson-1 is used for Yu-6 torpedo. The transducer array of the torpedo's acoustic seeker is believed to have about the same number of transducers as the Mark 48 torpedo. The Yu-6 torpedo uses modular design and open architecture software programming, so that when new technologies and programs become available they can be readily incorporated. 

Development of Yu-6 begun in 1995, which took an entire decade to complete when the torpedo was finally ready in 2005. At speeds of sixty-five knots, it is faster than the listed speeds of the Mk 48 Mod 6 ADCAP.
The capture of an American Mk46 Mod 1 torpedo by a Chinese fisherman in the South China Sea in 1978 was a game changer for Chinese torpedo design. While the Mk46 was directly copied as the Yu-7 air-launched torpedo, its technology also was used in submarine-launched designs.  Notably, Chinese engineers quickly adopted the Mk46’s Otto Fuel II technology to make their own torpedo-propulsion units more compact and powerful. The Yu-5  was the first Chinese torpedo to incorporate Otto Fuel II technology.

Current fleet of Chinese sub-launched torpedoes represents an interesting blend of Soviet, American and commercial off-the-shelf (COTS) technology. From the Yu-4, a domestic completion of an incomplete Soviet design, to the Yu-6, this uses an Intel microprocessor to power its guidance components, the torpedoes of the People’s Liberation Army Navy (PLAN) show significant traces of reverse engineering.
​
Speed: maximum > 65 kt (for attack)
Range: maximum 45 km+ (at the cruise speed)

Picture

Sensors
  • Multi-purpose combat data and command system for submarine control and weapon firing
  • Fire-control system for SLBM aiming and firing
  • Surface search radar
  • H/SQ2-262 bow-mounted, medium-frequency sonar for active/passive search and attack. Chinese H/SQ2-262C active sonar (an improved version of Pike Jaw MG-100 sonar), a Chinese copy of the French DUUX-5 passive sonar, integrated by an ES5F integrated sonar system.
  • Low frequency sonar, passive ranging and intercept
  • Radar warning receiver and direction-finder


Type 094A
 
The Type 094A is a variant with a modified and improved sail. The sail appears to incorporate features from one installed on a modified Type 093. It could be equipped with 16 launch tubes, while Type 094 had only 12 launch tubes. Pictures published in 2015 to Chinese website, the Type 094A has a more prominent “hump” in the missile bay aft of the sail as well as other changes in the contours of the body. The Type 094A has a retractable towed array sonar (TAS) mounted on the top of its upper tailfin, which would make it easier for the craft to "listen" for threats and avoid them.
The Type 094A version could be equipped with new ballistic missile Julang-2A (JL-2A) which has a greater range than the JL-2. The Type 094A, which was first seen in November 2016, is also far quieter than the noisier Type 094.

Type 096 submarine (Under Development)

The Type 096 is a projected class of ballistic missile submarine (SSBN) for China's People's Liberation Army Navy Submarine Force. The submarine which is expected to begin construction in the early-2020s will be armed with the JL-3 SLBM.  The Type 096 may carry 24 SLBMs, compared to the 12 of the previous Type 094 SSBN. According to analysts, it could also feature a hull similar to Western SSBNs.
​
Analysis of commercial imagery shows a new launch barge has recently been completed at the Bohai shipyard. New Type 095 and 096 subs will be built at Bohai. It is only now that the infrastructure is largely ready. The new submarines will be important if the PLAN wishes to patrol the open Pacific, or routinely venture into the Indian Ocean.

Picture
Picture


Type 098(Unknown/Myth)​

China’s qianzhan published an article to bare the mystery of China’s most advanced 098 strategic submarines. The article says: Previously, Liaoning Vice Governor Tan Zuojung disclosed at a public occasion that PLA navy has completed development of its fourth-generation nuclear submarine. Some experts believe that the information is quite reliable. However, there has been no public appearance of nor has the US ever detected China’s third-generation nuclear submarines.
Type 098 nuclear submarine adopts electromagnetic propulsion with zero noise, very high speed and instant great increase in power. New type of strategic nuclear submarine with a wide body and a displacement of 28,300 tons. The submarine can go to the depth of 5,200 meters??.
As it uses superconductivity electromagnetic propulsion system without any propellers, it is a noiseless submarine with noise less than 20 db and it can suddenly accelerate to very high speeds, quicker than any advanced high-speed torpedo?. As it has quite a few vector propulsion devices at various locations of its body, it is able to maneuver at various angles.
It boasts effective noise damping features, such as a quieter nuclear power plant with less vibration, and a more advanced hull muffler system, so that it will be hard to detect even if within range of enemy sonar.

Picture
Picture

TACTICAL ~55

SSN 6

Shang I (Type-093) ~2
​

Th