HQ-22
The HQ-22 (simplified Chinese: 红旗-22; traditional Chinese: 紅旗-22; pinyin: Hóng Qí-22; lit. 'Red Banner-22') is a medium/long range semi-active radar homing / radio-command guidance surface-to-air missile developed by the People's Republic of China.
| HQ-22 | |
|---|---|
| Type | Surface-to-air missile |
| Place of origin | China |
| Service history | |
| In service | 2017 – present |
| Used by | China, Serbia |
| Specifications | |
| Mass | ~ 1 300 kg |
| Length | ~ 7 m |
| Diameter | ~ 0.7 m |
| Warhead | ~ 180 kg |
Detonation mechanism | impact / proximity |
| Engine | rocket motor |
| Propellant | solid fuel |
Operational range | 170 km |
| Flight altitude | 50 m to 27 km |
Guidance system | Semi-active radar homing / radio-command guidance |
Launch platform | Hanyang 8x8 |
Development
The missile was developed as the second generation of the HQ-12 missile.[1]
In 2014, a downgraded form of the missile known as the FK-3 was revealed, targeting export customers.
In Zhuhai Airshow 2016, the HQ-22 was first publicly revealed as an improved version of the FK-3.
In 2017, the HQ-22 entered service in the People's Liberation Army and has rapidly become one of the main missiles used for air defence.[2]
Design
A typical battery of the HQ-22 system includes 1 radar vehicle and 3 launcher vehicles equipped with 4 missiles each. Each battery can supposedly engage 6 air targets simultaneously.[3]
The missile system has been widely compared to the American Patriot and the Russia S-300 surface to air missile systems, and although it has a shorter range than more advanced S-300 variants such the S-300PMU-2 it is speculated to benefit from superior electronic warfare countermeasures (ECM) and superior capabilities against stealth targets at shorter ranges.[4]
The system is speculated to be much cheaper than the HQ-9 also in service and will be one of the mainstays of China's air defense system, replacing the HQ-2 missiles of the Cold-War era.[5] It is rumoured that the missile has had a high rate of acquisition, already being deployed in large numbers despite its relatively young age.[6]
Missile
The HQ-22 missiles have a range of up to 170 km and can hit targets at altitudes from 50 m to 27 km. The missiles of the HQ-22 are guided by semi-active radar guidance[7] and can engage ballistic and cruise missiles, aircraft, helicopters and UAVs.
One main difference of the HQ-22 from its predecessor HQ-12 is that the HQ-22 has a new "wingless" design.[8]
Radar
The system is capable of launching 12 missiles to engage up to six targets simultaneously.[9] and engage up to 36 targets with 72 rounds of missiles when multiple fire units, under the control of a command and coordination vehicle is used.
The missile can use either semi-active radar homing composite guidance or radio-command guidance through the whole course. Initially, the missile will use semi-active radar homing guidance and in the case that it encounters strong electronic interference, will automatically change to radio-command guidance.
Variants
- HQ-22
- Variant in service with the People's Liberation Army
- FK-3
- Original export variant. Range of 100km.[11]
Deployment
In 2017, the HQ-22 entered service in the People's Liberation Army and has rapidly become one of the main missiles used for air defence.[12]
In August 2020, it was announced that Serbia had purchased the FK-3, surprising a majority of Russian media that had expected Serbia to purchase the S-300 instead.[13] It was the first time that any Chinese medium and long range SAM had been exported to a European country.[14]
References
- "Serbia Orders Chinese Air Defense System".
- http://www.military-today.com/missiles/hq_22.htm
- "Did Russian S-400s Got Dumped for Chinese Air Defence System by an Aspiring EU Nation?". 4 August 2020.
- "Military Watch Magazine".
- "China Shows New Fighters, Missiles and Drones".
- https://twitter.com/nudelsinpita/status/1365968644413530114?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1365968644413530114%7Ctwgr%5E%7Ctwcon%5Es1_&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.sinodefenceforum.com%2Ft%2Fpla-anti-air-missile-sam-systems.7266%2Fpage-43
- http://www.military-today.com/missiles/hq_22.htm
- "Serbia Orders Chinese Air Defense System".
- "Military Watch Magazine".
- http://www.military-today.com/missiles/hq_22.htm
- http://www.military-today.com/missiles/hq_22.htm
- http://www.military-today.com/missiles/hq_22.htm
- "RFE: US warns Serbia over Chinese AA missile system purchase". 10 August 2020.
- "Did Russian S-400s Got Dumped for Chinese Air Defence System by an Aspiring EU Nation?". 4 August 2020.
- "Serbia Orders Chinese Air Defense System".