| Hong Jian (Red Arrow) - 9 | |
|---|---|
 A HJ-9 missile system mounted on a WZ550 4x4 vehicle. | |
| Type | Anti-tank andair-to-surface missile |
| Place of origin | China |
| Service history | |
| In service | 1990s–present |
| Production history | |
| Manufacturer | Norinco |
| Produced | 1990s–present |
| Specifications | |
| Mass | 37 kg (82 lb) |
| Length | 1,200 mm (47 in) |
| Diameter | 152 mm (6.0 in) |
| Effective firing range | 100–5,500 m (330–18,040 ft)[1] |
| Maximum firing range | 5,500 m (18,000 ft) |
| Warhead | Tandem-chargeHEAT warhead, 110–120 cm (3.6–3.9 ft) penetrationRHAe |
Detonation mechanism | Contact fuze |
| Engine | Rocket engine |
| Propellant | Solid fuel |
Guidance system | Laserbeam riding, ormillimeter wave radar |
Launch platform | |
TheHJ-9,HongJian-9 (Chinese:红箭-9;pinyin:Hóng Jiàn-9;lit. 'Red Arrow-9'), military designation AFT-9,[2] is an advanced, third-generation, man-portable or vehicle-mountedanti-tank guided missile system deployed by thePeople's Liberation Army Ground Force.[3][4]
HJ-9 development began in the early 1980s, and finished in the late 1990s. It was unveiled to the public officially in a military parade in 1999.[5]
The missile was developed byChina North Industries Corporation (Norinco), and one of the chief designers was Yang Chunming (杨春铭). It is externally similar in appearance to the Israeli Man Portable Anti-Tank System (MAPATS) and South AfricanZT3 Ingwe anti-tank missile, however, no evidence was found of any technological link.[6]
The HJ-9 has a maximum range of 5.5 km (3.4 mi), and a minimum range of 100 m (110 yd), guided bysemi-automatic command to line of sight laserbeam riding. Claimed penetration ofrolled homogeneous armour (RHAe) is 120 cm (3.9 ft), which is greater than theHJ-8. The missile can mount various warheads including atandem-chargehigh-explosive anti-tank (HEAT)shaped charge,high explosive (HE), orthermal, for use against non-armored point targets, bunkers, and fortifications. Like the HJ-8, the HJ-9 uses a disposable container and launching tube, but the one for HJ-9 is heavier, weighing 37 kg (82 lb) due to HJ-9's large diameter of 152 mm (6.0 in). The missile is compatible with various thermal imaging sights and can be mounted on anAFT-9 Missile Carrier.[6][7]
In 2005, Norinco revealed HJ-9A in various public events. The HJ-9A was in service with the Chinese armed forces as of 2005. Unlike HJ-9, the newer system used semi-activemillimeter wave radar guidance. The HJ-9A launcher was mostly observed being mounted on a tripod with an integrated radar system and was demonstrated by Norinco on aNJ2046 utility vehicle.[8] The HJ-9A can also be mounted on trucks, armored personnel carriers, and other light utility vehicles.
Norinco also revealed a further-developed version of the HJ-9A with laser guidance, designated HJ-9B.[6]
China