QW-2 Vanguard 2
Qian Wei (Vanguard) 2 | |
---|---|
Type | MANPADS |
Place of origin | China |
Service history | |
In service | 1990’s to present |
Production history | |
Produced | Since Mid 1990’s |
Specifications | |
Weight | 11.32 kg, 18 kg with launcher |
Length | 1.59 meter |
Detonation mechanism | Impact & Proximity |
| |
Engine | rocket |
Propellant | solid rocket |
Operational range | 6 km maximum |
Flight ceiling | 3 km |
Flight altitude | 10 meter minimum |
Speed | > 600 m/s |
Guidance system | Infrared homing |
Launch platform | MANPADS, Type 95 SPAAA |
The QW-2 Vanguard 2 is a Chinese all-aspect man-portable infrared homing guided surface-to-air missile. It is not clear when the missile first entered service, but it is likely to have been between 1998 and 2002.[1]
The QianWei 2 (or Vanguard 2, its export name) is the third-generation shoulder-launched, all-aspect IR-homing, 'fire-and-forget' surface-to-air missile developed by Shenyang-based CASIC 119 Factory (Shenyang Hangtian Xinle Ltd). The QW-2 was first revealed during the 1998 Farnbororough Air Show. The missile and launcher of the QW-2 bear strong resemblance to those of the Russian 9K310 Igla-1, and the two missile systems are believed to be comparable in performance.[2]
Description
QW-2 is a development of the QW-1 Vanguard series, and is considered by many domestic Chinese media sources as the Chinese equivalent of FIM-92E Stinger.
Compared to the QianWei 1, the minimum operating altitude of the QianWei 2 has been reduced from 30m to 10m; the operating range has been increased from 5 km to 6 km; and the missile’s reaction time has been reduced to below 5 seconds. The QianWei 2 features a newly developed dual-band passive IR seeker with strong resistance to heat flares dispensed by the target and solar/ground heat, thus improving the missile’s performance in day/night, all-weather conditions.[2]
Specifications
- Length: 1.59 m
- Missile and launcher weight: 18 kg
- Missile: 11.32 kg
- Velocity: 600 m/s
- Warhead: 1.42 kg HE-fragmentation
- Engagement range: 500 to 6000 m
- Engagement altitude: 10 to 3500 m
- Reaction time: < 5 seconds
See also
- The HN-5 and QW-1 Vanguard are other Chinese man-portable surface-to-air missiles.
- 9K32 Strela-2
- 9K38 Igla
- FIM-92 Stinger
- Anza (missile)
References
- Jane's Land Based Air Defence 2005-2006.