| YLPGB | |
|---|---|
| Type | Precision-guided bomb |
| Place of origin | China |
| Service history | |
| In service | 2012—present |
| Used by | China |
| Production history | |
| Manufacturer | China South Industries Group |
| Produced | 2012—present |
| Specifications | |
| Mass | up to 1,000 kg (2,200 lb) |
| Length | depends on model |
| Height | depends on model |
| Diameter | depends on model |
| Wingspan | depends on model |
| Warhead | variousgravity bombs |
Detonation mechanism | Impact / Proximity |
Operational range | depends on the altitude released |
| Maximum speed | freefall |
Guidance system | inertial navigation, laser guidance, satellite guidance |
Launch platform | aerial platforms |
Yunlei (Chinese:云雷;pinyin:yún léi;lit. 'Cloud Thunder'), abbreviated asYL or prefixed withCS/BB,[1] is a series ofprecision-guided munitions (PGM) and special-purpose bombs developed byChina South Industries Group.
The Chinese development of the precision-guided bomb began in the 1970s after the Chinese military observed the American usage ofPaveway in theVietnam War. Factory 624, later known as the Harbin Jiancheng Group, a subsidiary ofNorinco, began the development process in 1974, with prototypes completed in 1980. Between 1984 and 1985, the guided bomb was tested via ground laser designation, while in 1986, the bomb was tested with an aerial lasertargeting pod prototype. Prototypes were tested on theH-5 bomber. The project was canceled in the late 1980s due to budgetary issues.[2] The prototype guided bomb in the canceled project was designated Type 7712.[3]
A new laser-guided bomb project was initiated in 1992 after Chinese observation of theGulf War. This project received more budgetary, human, and political resources. The bomb system was tasked to the Luoyang-based China Airborne Missile Academy (CAMA, 612th Research Institute), and thetargeting pod was tasked to the Luoyang Optoelectro Technology Development Center (LOTDC, 613th Research Institute), and the production was tasked to the Factory 624 (Harbin Jiancheng Group). The final product was LS-500J laser-guided bomb, later renamed LT-2 laser-guided bomb for export.[2] LS-500J (LT-2) was one of the most widely used guided bombs in China's arsenal.[2][4]
Eventually, the original LS-500J branched out to the other series of guided bombs,[2] which were manufactured by different defense factories and institutions:[1]
In Zhuhai Airshow 2012,China South Industries Group revealedYunlei /YL (Chinese:云雷;pinyin:yún léi;lit. 'Cloud Thunder') andYunjian /YJ (Chinese:云箭;pinyin:yún jían;lit. 'Cloud Arrow') series of guided bombs. The Yunlei series was showcased again in 2016.[11]
Variants of the series include CS/BBF1 (YL-3) 250 kg (550 lb)thermobaric guided bomb,[12] CS/BBE2 (YL-10) 50 kg (110 lb) blast fragmentation bomb,[13] CS/BBE3 (YL-15) 25 kg (55 lb) laser-guided bomb,[14] CS/BBM1 (YL-13) 100 kg (220 lb) laser-guided bomb, CS/BBM2 (YL-14) 100 kg (220 lb) satellite-guided glide bomb, CS/BBM3 (YL-12) 50 kg (110 lb) satellite-guided bomb,[15] CS/BBC5 (YJ-6) 500 kg (1,100 lb) guided munition dispenser, CS/BBC7 (YJ-7) 50 kg (110 lb) guided cluster bomb.[16]
The CS/BBC5 cargo bomb (also known as the YJ-6Chinese:云箭-6;lit. 'Cloud Arrow-6';[17] not to be confused with theYJ-6 anti-ship missile) can carry sub-munitions or a unitary warhead. It's designed as a stand-off weapon and is fire-and-forget. The bomb weighs 500 kg (1,100 lb).[18][19] The CS/BBC5 (YJ-6) is similar to theTL500 (GB6) munition dispensers, and two weapons could be closely related, or the same weapons' respective domestic and export version.[20][21] During a showcase by Chinese state-owned China Central Television (CCTV) in 2020,[20] the CS/BBC5 (YJ-6) was shown to have six tail strakes for increased aerodynamic control. In contrast, the older TL500 (GB6) dispenser only has four tail edges.[22][23] According to the manufacturer representative, CS/BBC6 (YJ-6) can carry 240 submunitions in six variants, such as anti-armor submunition with 200 mm (7.9 in) penetration, area denial submunition mines with proximity/timed fuses, andcarbon fiber submunitions.[23]
Guided bomb variants produced by China South Industries Group include:[16][24]
