The QW-2 (QianWei-2, or Vanguard 2 in 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 Farnborough Air Show. The missile and launcher of the QW-2 bear strong resemblance to those of the Russian 9K310 Igla-1 (NATO codename: SA-16 Gimlet), and the two missile systems are believed to be comparable in performance.
Compared to the QW-1, the minimum operating altitude of the QW-2 has been reduced from 30m to 10m; the operating range has been increased from 5km to 6km; and the missile’s reaction time has been reduced to below 5 seconds. The QW-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.
The QW-2 has yet been spotted in operational service with the PLA. The missile has been produced in Pakistan under license as Anza MK-3.
CQW-2
The CQW-2 is the vehicle-mounted variant of the QW-2. Once the onboard target acquisition radar detects a target, its information is passed to the electro-optical fire-control system for tracking and engagement. The missile of the CQW-2 is interchangeable with that of the shoulder-launched version.
