China introduced a new anti-tank missile system
According to Jane's news agency, the Chinese corporation NORINCO has developed and has begun to supply the troops with a new anti-tank missile system. The system, called Red Arrow 12 or HJ-12, is significantly different from previous Chinese complexes of similar purpose. In the design of the new ATGM, several new technical solutions have been applied to the Chinese defense industry in order to enhance its characteristics.
Materials on the new anti-tank complex HJ-12 were first presented at the Eurosatory-2014 exhibition, held in France in late June. At the same time, according to representatives of the Chinese defense industry, at the time of the first demonstration at the international exhibition, the promising anti-tank missile systems were not only developed or tested, but also entered mass production. To date, some units of the People’s Liberation Army of China have managed to get a new weapon and start to master it.
In the new Chinese-developed anti-tank missile system, several ideas were used that are characteristic of modern anti-tank systems of foreign countries, which affected its appearance. It should be noted that a similar approach to the design led to the fact that the Red Arrow 12 complex even looks similar to a foreign counterpart - the American ATGM FGM-148 Javelin. In the version for use by infantry units, the Chinese-made system is a transport and launch container with characteristic large end caps and a block of equipment for searching for targets and aiming. The rocket is launched from the shoulder, as when using anti-tank rocket launchers.
According to Jane's, the weight of the transport and launch container (TLC) with the HJ-12 rocket is approximately equal to 17 kilograms. The total weight of the complex (container and equipment unit) is 22 kg. Container length - 1,25 m, diameter about 170-180 mm. The dimensions of the rocket are still unknown, there are only different estimates, according to which the length of the guided ammunition hardly exceeds the 1 meter, and the diameter is 130-150 mm.
The most important innovation used in the Red Arrow 12 project was the new homing head (GOS). For the first time in Chinese practice, an anti-tank missile received a “shot-and-forget” guidance system. To do this, the product is equipped with an infrared GOS with the function of storing the image of the target (IIR or Imaging Infrared). Similar electronics are used on the rockets of some modern ATGMs: in the already mentioned Javelin, the Israeli Spike complex, and others.
According to the manufacturer, the HJ-12 rocket is equipped with a type IIR homing head with an uncooled photo detector. It is alleged that such a system allows the use of ATGM at any time of the day. There is information about the creation of the second type of rocket, intended for use exclusively in the daytime and equipped with a television seeker.
The guided missile has a look typical for modern weapons of this class. The cylindrical body of large elongation has a hemispherical head fairing, made transparent to ensure the operation of the GOS, and is also equipped with four X-shaped wings and four rudders of similar design. Planes are laid out after launch.
Like the American Javelin complex, the Chinese-developed rocket is supplied in cylindrical transport-launch containers, the end covers of which are equipped with characteristic large rings of soft material. These parts are designed to protect TPK with a missile from shock in the fall. At the request of the customer, the complex can be supplied in an infantry version (TPK and equipment) or in a variant for installation on equipment. In the latter case, the system for mounting equipment on the base machine is included in the ATGM.
The equipment unit attached to the transport and launch container contains the equipment necessary for finding the target and interacting with the rocket electronics. For ease of use, it is equipped with two handles, one of which has buttons to control the system. It is assumed that with the help of an existing thermal imager, the operator of the anti-tank complex should find the target and point a target mark at it, after which it should turn on auto tracking. Automatic rocket "remembers" the image of the target and is ready to launch. At the command of the operator, the rocket is ejected from the TPC, turns on the sustainer solid-fuel engine, and begins flight to the target. For the initial acceleration of the rocket uses a separate propelling charge.
It is argued that, depending on the characteristics of the combat situation, the Red Arrow 12 rocket of ATGM can fly along one of two trajectories. To hit a target in the frontal or side of the rocket can fly along a straight path, and for hitting the roof of the target provides for the flight mode along an arcuate path. The maximum launch range for a rocket with an infrared homing head is stated at 2000 m. For a rocket with a television homing point, this parameter, according to the developers, will be twice as high.
The missile complex HJ-12 is a tandem cumulative warhead. NORINCO representatives claim that this product is capable of penetrating up to 1100 mm of homogeneous steel armor covered with dynamic protection. The warhead and missile flight characteristics allow you to attack light and heavy armored vehicles, as well as to strengthen the enemy. In addition, the ATGM Red Arrow 12, according to the assurances of the developers, can be used to attack slow flying helicopters.
NORINCO claims that the new Red Arrow 12 ATGM is mass-produced and delivered to the troops. The published information is of a general nature, however, it is possible to form an opinion on a new Chinese development. Undoubtedly, the newest anti-tank complex PLA is of great interest, since for the first time Chinese gunsmiths managed to make a rocket operating on the principle of “fired-forgotten”. However, the HJ-12 complex has both advantages and disadvantages.
The main advantage of the new Chinese ATGM is the used guidance algorithm with memorizing the image of the target. This allows the operator of the complex to launch a rocket and quickly change position without falling back. The use of infrared and thermal imaging systems, in turn, makes it possible to use the complex at any time of the day. The function of memorizing a GOS type IIR target can increase the missile immunity when homing, since the rocket is capable of filtering out excess signals and continuing its flight to the set target.
The cost of ATGM Red Arrow 12 has not yet been announced, but it can be assumed that it turned out to be quite expensive in production and operation. The high cost of production is due to the complexity of the systems used, and the high cost of operation associated with the architecture of the complex. The concept of "shot - forget" implies the placement of the main guidance equipment on the rocket, and not on the launcher. Thus, during each launch, literally tens and hundreds of thousands of yuan can fly away.
The disadvantage or, at least, ambiguous feature of the newest Chinese ATGM is the maximum launch range at the level of 2 km (for the version with the GOS type IIR). This is less than that of many foreign systems, but it may be enough to complete the tasks in most situations when the maximum distance between the target and the shooter is limited by the terrain or buildings. In addition, the existence of a variant of the HJ-12 complex with a television seeker and a greater range of fire has been announced.
If the information on the Red Arrow 12 serial production of ATGM is true, then the ground forces of the People’s Liberation Army of China received an interesting weapon suitable for various tasks. Perhaps in the future, any third countries will express a desire to acquire such weapons. However, information about the new complex was announced only a few weeks ago. Therefore, in the near future, the HJ-12 system is likely to be used only in the PLA.
On the materials of the sites:
http://janes.com/
http://armyrecognition.com/
http://bmpd.livejournal.com/
Materials on the new anti-tank complex HJ-12 were first presented at the Eurosatory-2014 exhibition, held in France in late June. At the same time, according to representatives of the Chinese defense industry, at the time of the first demonstration at the international exhibition, the promising anti-tank missile systems were not only developed or tested, but also entered mass production. To date, some units of the People’s Liberation Army of China have managed to get a new weapon and start to master it.
In the new Chinese-developed anti-tank missile system, several ideas were used that are characteristic of modern anti-tank systems of foreign countries, which affected its appearance. It should be noted that a similar approach to the design led to the fact that the Red Arrow 12 complex even looks similar to a foreign counterpart - the American ATGM FGM-148 Javelin. In the version for use by infantry units, the Chinese-made system is a transport and launch container with characteristic large end caps and a block of equipment for searching for targets and aiming. The rocket is launched from the shoulder, as when using anti-tank rocket launchers.
According to Jane's, the weight of the transport and launch container (TLC) with the HJ-12 rocket is approximately equal to 17 kilograms. The total weight of the complex (container and equipment unit) is 22 kg. Container length - 1,25 m, diameter about 170-180 mm. The dimensions of the rocket are still unknown, there are only different estimates, according to which the length of the guided ammunition hardly exceeds the 1 meter, and the diameter is 130-150 mm.
The most important innovation used in the Red Arrow 12 project was the new homing head (GOS). For the first time in Chinese practice, an anti-tank missile received a “shot-and-forget” guidance system. To do this, the product is equipped with an infrared GOS with the function of storing the image of the target (IIR or Imaging Infrared). Similar electronics are used on the rockets of some modern ATGMs: in the already mentioned Javelin, the Israeli Spike complex, and others.
According to the manufacturer, the HJ-12 rocket is equipped with a type IIR homing head with an uncooled photo detector. It is alleged that such a system allows the use of ATGM at any time of the day. There is information about the creation of the second type of rocket, intended for use exclusively in the daytime and equipped with a television seeker.
The guided missile has a look typical for modern weapons of this class. The cylindrical body of large elongation has a hemispherical head fairing, made transparent to ensure the operation of the GOS, and is also equipped with four X-shaped wings and four rudders of similar design. Planes are laid out after launch.
Like the American Javelin complex, the Chinese-developed rocket is supplied in cylindrical transport-launch containers, the end covers of which are equipped with characteristic large rings of soft material. These parts are designed to protect TPK with a missile from shock in the fall. At the request of the customer, the complex can be supplied in an infantry version (TPK and equipment) or in a variant for installation on equipment. In the latter case, the system for mounting equipment on the base machine is included in the ATGM.
The equipment unit attached to the transport and launch container contains the equipment necessary for finding the target and interacting with the rocket electronics. For ease of use, it is equipped with two handles, one of which has buttons to control the system. It is assumed that with the help of an existing thermal imager, the operator of the anti-tank complex should find the target and point a target mark at it, after which it should turn on auto tracking. Automatic rocket "remembers" the image of the target and is ready to launch. At the command of the operator, the rocket is ejected from the TPC, turns on the sustainer solid-fuel engine, and begins flight to the target. For the initial acceleration of the rocket uses a separate propelling charge.
It is argued that, depending on the characteristics of the combat situation, the Red Arrow 12 rocket of ATGM can fly along one of two trajectories. To hit a target in the frontal or side of the rocket can fly along a straight path, and for hitting the roof of the target provides for the flight mode along an arcuate path. The maximum launch range for a rocket with an infrared homing head is stated at 2000 m. For a rocket with a television homing point, this parameter, according to the developers, will be twice as high.
The missile complex HJ-12 is a tandem cumulative warhead. NORINCO representatives claim that this product is capable of penetrating up to 1100 mm of homogeneous steel armor covered with dynamic protection. The warhead and missile flight characteristics allow you to attack light and heavy armored vehicles, as well as to strengthen the enemy. In addition, the ATGM Red Arrow 12, according to the assurances of the developers, can be used to attack slow flying helicopters.
NORINCO claims that the new Red Arrow 12 ATGM is mass-produced and delivered to the troops. The published information is of a general nature, however, it is possible to form an opinion on a new Chinese development. Undoubtedly, the newest anti-tank complex PLA is of great interest, since for the first time Chinese gunsmiths managed to make a rocket operating on the principle of “fired-forgotten”. However, the HJ-12 complex has both advantages and disadvantages.
The main advantage of the new Chinese ATGM is the used guidance algorithm with memorizing the image of the target. This allows the operator of the complex to launch a rocket and quickly change position without falling back. The use of infrared and thermal imaging systems, in turn, makes it possible to use the complex at any time of the day. The function of memorizing a GOS type IIR target can increase the missile immunity when homing, since the rocket is capable of filtering out excess signals and continuing its flight to the set target.
The cost of ATGM Red Arrow 12 has not yet been announced, but it can be assumed that it turned out to be quite expensive in production and operation. The high cost of production is due to the complexity of the systems used, and the high cost of operation associated with the architecture of the complex. The concept of "shot - forget" implies the placement of the main guidance equipment on the rocket, and not on the launcher. Thus, during each launch, literally tens and hundreds of thousands of yuan can fly away.
The disadvantage or, at least, ambiguous feature of the newest Chinese ATGM is the maximum launch range at the level of 2 km (for the version with the GOS type IIR). This is less than that of many foreign systems, but it may be enough to complete the tasks in most situations when the maximum distance between the target and the shooter is limited by the terrain or buildings. In addition, the existence of a variant of the HJ-12 complex with a television seeker and a greater range of fire has been announced.
If the information on the Red Arrow 12 serial production of ATGM is true, then the ground forces of the People’s Liberation Army of China received an interesting weapon suitable for various tasks. Perhaps in the future, any third countries will express a desire to acquire such weapons. However, information about the new complex was announced only a few weeks ago. Therefore, in the near future, the HJ-12 system is likely to be used only in the PLA.
On the materials of the sites:
http://janes.com/
http://armyrecognition.com/
http://bmpd.livejournal.com/
Information