Chinese Missiles
Chinese Surface-to-Surface (Naval) Missiles
CSS-N-1 "Scrubbrush"
Chinese designation: SY-1/FL-1
Export designation:
Lenght: 5.8 m
Diameter: 0.76 m
Wingspan: 2.4 m
Weight: 2,300 kg
Range: 45 km
Speed: Mach 0.9
Propulsion: Solid-propellant rocket booster + liquid-propellant rocket sustainer
Guidance: Inertial + active radar terminal homing
Warhead: 450 kg HE
Operational: In service since 1966/1980
Platforms: Huangfeng-class FAC
The SY-1 missile, a shipborne version of the HY-1, is based on the Soviet P-15 (SS-N-2A Styx) anti-ship missile, the technology for which the Chinese acquired in 1959. The SY-1 has two delta wings and a triform rudder and tail. It cruises at an altitude of 100-350 meters. The FL-1 is an improved version with a cruise altitude of 30 meters that entered service in 1980. The Huangfeng-class fast attack craft is a Chinese copy of the Soviet Osa-class.
CSS-N-2 "Safflower"
Chinese designation: SY-1A
Export designation: C-201
Lenght: 7.48 m
Diameter: 0.76 m
Wingspan: 2.4 m
Weight: 2,990 kg
Range: 95 km
Speed: Mach 0.9
Propulsion: Solid-propellant rocket booster + liquid-propellant rocket sustainer
Guidance: Autopilot + active-radar terminal homing
Warhead: 500 kg HE
Operational: In service since 1974
Platforms: Luda I/II-class DDG, Chengdu-class FFG, Jianghu I/II/IV/V-class FFG, Hegu/Hoku-class FAC
The SY-1A is a ship-launched variant of the coastal HY-2 missile. It is based on the HY-1 missile with the primary difference being a longer fuselage to accomodate more rocket propellant. The SY-1A entered service in 1974 after development start in 1965. After launch the missile does not require any external guidance. Its warhead can sink a 3,000 ton destroyer and single-shot hit probability is more than 70 percent.
CSS-N-3
Chinese designation: JL-1
Lenght: 10.7 m
Diameter: 1.4 m
Weight: 14,700 kg
Range: 1,700 km
Propulsion: Two-stage solid-propellant rocket
Guidance: Inertial
Warhead: 200-300 kT nuclear
Operational: In service since 1988
CEP: 300-400 m
Platforms: Xia-class SSBN
The JL-1 SLBM is a submarine-mounted variant of the land-based DF-21 (CSS-5) IRBM. The JL-1 is ejected from a submerged submarine and the first-stage engine ignites after the missile has emerged from water. The development of the JL-1 began in March 1967, and the missile was first launched succesfully in October 1982. The Xia-class SSBN carries 12 missiles.
CSS-N-4 "Sardine"
Chinese designation: YJ-8/YJ-81
Export designation: C-801/C-801A
Lenght: 5.81/5.10 m
Diameter: 0.36 m
Wingspan: 1.18 m
Weight: 815 kg
Range: 40/80 km
Speed: Mach 0.9
Propulsion: Solid-propellant rocket booster + solid-propellant rocket sustainer
Guidance: Autopilot + active-radar terminal homing
Warhead: 165 kg SAP
Operational: In service since 1987
Platforms: JH-7, Q-5, Luda III-class DDG, Jianghu III-class FFG, Jiangwei-class FFG, Houjian-class FAC, Houxin-class FAC, Han-class SSN, Wuhan-class SSG
The development of the YJ-81 anti-ship missile began in 1977, and it was first revealed to the public in 1984. Flight tests were finished in 1985, and it was officially approved for service in 1987. The YJ-8 resembles the French Exocet but is heavier. A radio altimeter enables it to cruise at about 20 meters, which reduces further to between 4.5 and 6 meters during the terminal phase. The monopulse terminal guidance radar has good ECCM capacities, and single-shot hit probability is 75 percent. A single Chinese-built Romeo-class submarine was modified as a trials platform for the YJ-8Q (C-801Q). This Wuhan-class submarine has six missile tubes built into the casing abreast the sail with the tubes elevating for launch that can only be made on the surface. The air-launched YJ-8K (C-801K) version that doesn't have a booster was tested on a modified H-5 bomber with a large nose radar. The YJ-81 (C-801A) is a later variant with increased range and folding wings. Eight launchers with missiles were sold to Iran in 1987-1988, and the country is now thought to posses over 200 missiles.
CSS-N-5 "Sabbot"
Chinese designation: SY-2
Export designation: FL-2
Lenght: 6.0 m
Diameter: 0.54 m
Wingspan: 1.7 m
Weight: 1,720 kg
Range: 50 km
Speed: Mach 0.9
Propulsion: Solid-propellant rocket booster + dual-thrust solid-propellant rocket sustainer
Guidance: Inertial + active-radar terminal homing
Warhead: 365 kg SAP
Operational: In service since 1991
Platforms: Jianghu I/II/IV/V-class FFG
The development of the SY-2 anti-ship missile, which is an improvement of the SY-1, began in 1970. Improvements include a smaller fuselage, a better booster, new solid-propellant rocket engine, longer range, higher speed, and semi armour-piercing warhead. The SY-2 uses the same launcher as the SY-1, which enables ships to be easily converted to the new missile. The initial SY-2(Ye) variant with a liquid-propellant rocket engine was first tested at sea in December 1980. The development of the definitive SY-2(Gu) with solid propulsion started in 1977, with the first test launch in September 1986. First successful sea trials were conducted in December 1987. The missile cruises at an altitude of 20 meters, descenting to 5 meters in the terminal phase. In the mid-1990s the SY-2A variant with a turbojet engine and possible GPS guidance was developed as a land-attack missile with a range of 130 kilometers.
Main sources:
Michael Taylor (Ed.), Brassey's World Aircraft & Systems Directory (Brassey's, London 1995).
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