Missiles II

JG-500

A PLAN JH-7A is on static display carrying 4 JG-500 (K/YJG500/LS-500J) LGBs as well as a K/JDC01 designation pod. The bomb appears similar to Russian KAB-500L and its export version is called LT-2. It is the first such type of smart weapon to have entered the service with PLAAF, even though Chinese have been testing LGBs using Q-5 attack aircraft since 80s. Its development was completed in 2003 and the production followed. JG-500's weight is 564kg, length 3530mm, diameter 377mm, range>10km, CEP≤6.5m, warhead 450kg. The LGB is guided by two parallel laser beams and flies an S-shaped trajectory as it approaches the target. However this mechanism has a relatively low accuracy and is susceptible to jamming and poor weather conditions. Besides JH-7AJG-500 can also be carried by the J-10 series. Three types of laser designator pods have been identified: K/JDC01 and K/JDC03A carried by JH-7A, K/JDC01A on J-10. Overall JG-500 is comparable to American GBU-16 Paveway II LGB. JG-500 is expected to be replaced by the next generation JG-500B.
- Last Updated 5/9/23

Yu-7K

Currently PLAN's main 324mm light torpedo for Z-8 and Z-9C ASW helicopters is Yu-7K. It has been produced locally since 90s based on the American MK-46 mod 1 technology obtained in the 80s. Yu-7K has an active/passive acoustic homing to 14km at a speed of 40kt. It carries a 45kg warhead, weighs 235kg and is propelled by OTTO fuel. Yu-7K was thought to have undergone upgrade programs in recent years. Images released in December 2016 indicated that Yu-7K can also be carried by the Z-18F ASW helicopter. A recent images (May 2021, October 2022) indicated that Yu-7K can be carried by the Z-9DF ASW helicopter and the Y-8Q ASW aircraft. Yu-7K is expected to be replaced by the heavier and more advanced Yu-X.
- Last Updated 2/13/24

KD-63/63B

KD-63 (K/AKD63, initially designated as YJ-63) is the first generation of Chinese stand-off LACM which was first tested in 2000. The missile is believed to be based on HY-4/XW-41 AshMs and powered by an FW-41B turbojet engine. Its cruising speed is 900km/hr, max range 180km, min range 20km, cruising altitude 600m, length 7.0m, diameter 760mm, weight 2,000kg, warhead 500kg. It features INS midcourse and terminal man-in-the-loop guidance. A CCD camera is installed at the tip of the head section with a small UHF/VHF TV antenna on top of the head section. The TV seeker can lock a "typical" ground target (e.g. bunker) 12km away and achieve a CEP between 2-6m. The missile also features 4 tailfins in an "X" arrangement and a belly air intake. KD-63 is carried by the dedicated H-6H missile carrier which carries two missiles under the wings. The missile can also be carried by H-6M, H-6K and H-6N as well, where a belly datalink pod is needed. It was reported in February 2013 that an improved version (KD-63B) has entered the service replacing the original KD-63. It features an IIR seeker replacing the TV seeker and has a new conformal datalink 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.
- Last Updated 5/15/20

KD-88/88A/88B

KD-88 (K/AKD88) is a new generation ASM in service with PLAAF. It was developed by Hongdu Aviation Industrial Group in the early 2000s and is mainly carried by JH-7A attack aircraft. The KD-88 family has been identified with at least two variants: the original variant with a CCD TV seeker, the other variant (KD-88A) with an IIR seeker. The missile's configuration and size appears similar to those of YJ-83K AShM. Its propulsion system is also thought to be a turbojet. Its max range is 180km and min range is 15km. 4 small datalink antennas can been seen extending from the tips of mid-body stabilizing fins for man-in-the-loop terminal corrections. Some were upgraded with a Beidou antenna installed on its top. A datalink pod is needed to launch stand-off attacks. Up to 4 missiles can be carried by JH-7A at a time. 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. Recent images indicated that KD-88/88A can also be carried by PLAN JH-7A (88/88A) and J-15 (88/88A) 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 (up to 2) as well as J-16. A recent rumor (November 2019) claimed that a new variant (KD-88B) is entering the service with PLAAF featuring a new conformal datalink antenna on top of the forward missile body for a longer range and/or a better HD image transmission.
- Last Updated 7/28/23

KD-9/KD-10/10A

KD-9 and KD-10 (K/AKD9 and K/AKD10) are the new generation of ATGMs developed for Z-10 (KD-9 & 10) and Z-19 (KD-9) attack helicopters. Between them KD-9 is lighter and smaller while KD-10 is heavier and bigger. Up to 8 can be carried at a time. The missiles are thought to be in the same class of American AGM-114 Hellfire but without the forward control fins. They also features a semi-active laser seeker believed to have been derived from the one used by Russian Krasnopol 152mm laser-guided projectile (CEP≤3m). However the seeker designs for KD-9 and KD-10 appear different. Therefore the missiles are not fire-and-forget. KD-9/10 can also be fried from Z-9WZ attack helicopter, Mi-17V5 transport helicopter and Wing Loong I/Wing Loong II UCAV, suggesting they have replaced the old KD-8 ATGM. The export version of KD-10 is dubbed BA-7. Some specifications (KD-10): length 1,775mm, diameter 170mm, weight 46kg, range 2,000-7,000m, armor penetration 1,400mm. In addition, an improved version of KD-10 dubbed KD-10A was also unveiled at the 2016 Zhuhai Airshow.
- Last Updated 6/22/22

KD-20/20A

KD-20 (K/AKD20 or DF-10K?) is the first generation of modern long range 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. Based on CJ-10/DH-10/DF-10 land-based cruise missile which in turn adopted some Russian Kh-55 technology, KD-20 ALCM entered the service with PLAAF in the late 2000s, along with the dedicated H-6M missile carrier (up to 2) converted from earlier H-6Fs. Powered by a fuel-efficient turbofan engine, KD-20 can achieve a range between 1,500 and 2,000km, depending on the payload it carries. 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. KD-20 utilizes both INS and TERCOM guidance (coupled with GPS/Beidou?) as indicated by a dark radar antenna under the forward body. 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. Recent images (August 2017) suggested that a new variant of KD-20 (KD-20A?) has been developed. It features a new high-definition imaging radar (similar to that of DF-21C/D?) 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. Some 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.
- Last Updated 6/8/21

KF-98A

First unveiled at the 2022 Zhuhai Airshow, KF-98A (K/AKF98A, F: Standoff) appears to be a new standoff submunition dispenser or ALCM featuring a stealth optimized body with a diamond shape cross section plus two folded high wings and four tail control fins. The missile could be guided by combined radar/IIR seekers at the late and terminal stages in order to improve its accuracy and countermeasure capability. INS/Beidou guidance could be used during the initial and mid-stages. It is speculated to be powered by a small turbojet engine with a recessed ventral air intake to reduce RCS. The missile is thought to be in the same class as American AGM-158 JASSM and French/UK Storm Shadow and have a range of ~500km. Currently KF-98A is being carried by PLAAF JH-7A2 and J-16.
- Last Updated 11/11/22

KF-088C

First unveiled at the 2022 Zhuhai Airshow, KF-088C (K/AKF088C) is a standoff ALCM featuring two folded low wings to further extend its range. The missile appears to have evolved from the earlier KD-88/88A ASM (see above) and could be guided by the same TV or IIR seeker with man-in-the-loop corrections. INS/Beidou guidance could be used during the initial and mid-stages. The missile is thought to be in the same class as American AGM-84H/K and have a range of ~300km. KF-088C is expected to be carried by PLAAF JH-7A2 and J-16 attack aircraft.
- Last Updated 8/2/23

KD-21

First unveiled at the 2022 Zhuhai Airshow, KD-21 (?) is a new hypersonic ALBM which could further enhance PLAAF's A2/AD capability. The missile has a length of ~7m, diameter of ~0.76m, weight of ~2t. It fearures a biconic shaped head section to achieve better maneuverability at high AoAs. The warhead might be a deep penetrator against reinforced underground facilities. It is also powered by a solid rocket engine with a range of ~2,000km. The missile could be guided by an active radar seeker with the synthetic aperture capability. Up to 4 KD-21s can be carried by H-6K. Compared to the YJ-21 AShBM carried only by H-6N, KD-21 is more versatile due to its smaller size and weight. The missile appears similar to the earlier CM-401 AShBM developed by CASIC which has a maximum speed of Mach 6. 
- Last Updated 11/5/22