TY-90 (Yitian) Surface-to-Air Missile
Last updated: 25 March 2008
The PRC has recently introduced a surface-to-air version of the TY-90 IR-homing short-range air-to-air missile (AAM). The missile could be used as a standalone surface-to-air missile (SAM) system or as a part of a mobile tactical air defence system. The PRC state-owned arms trade company NORINCO has been actively promoting the system to the international market. The PLA may also have received a small number of the missile as a part of the LD-2000 CIWS/SAM air defence system in trial.
The TY-90 was originally developed in the 1990s as a dedicated helicopter-borne AAM. In late 2004, NORINCO revealed a low-level air defence missile system known as ‘Yitian’. The system consists of eight missiles, a target acquisition radar, and an electro-optical passive tracking director. According to the NORINCO brochure, the Yitian system has a reaction time of 6~8 seconds. The 3D radar has a maximum detecting range of 18km, and a maximum tracking range of 10km. In clear weather condition, the system could also use its electro-optical passive tracking director, which has a maximum range of 12km.
The system adopts a modular design, which enables it to be carried on various wheeled or tracked chassis. One design revealed by NORINCO showing the mounted on a WZ-551 6X6 wheeled armoured personnel carrier (APC). Another image showing the system carried by a Dongfeng Motor EQ2050 high-mobility vehicle. The system can be operated by a crew of three (driver, commander, and missile operator).
Eight ready-to-launch missiles are contained in box-shape launchers. The missile has a specially designed seeker for attacking helicopters that operate in near earth environments with strong sources interference. The missile also has a 3kg HE warhead to ensure enough damage to the armour-protected attack helicopter gunships. The operation range for the missile is 300m to 6km.
The Yitian air defence weapon system is designed mainly to provide mobile, low-altitude air protection against low-flying helicopters and other airborne targets for the armoured troops. Its concept is similar to the U.S. M2 Bradley Stinger fighting vehicle, but its warhead is much heavier than the Stinger missile, which originated from the man portable air defence (MANPAD) missile.
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| The TY-90 SAM carried inside the box-shape launcher/container (Source: Chinese Internet) |
Missile
The HQ-64/LY-60 SAM is mainly intended for the interception of aircraft and missiles flying in medium-low-altitude. The missile is guided by the radio command with artificial interference capability. It is said to be the only medium-low-altitude air defence missile in the world that uses microprocessor intelligent module technology.
A typical land-based Hq-64/LY-60 battery fire unit comprises one 4X4 truck-mounted surveillance radar, three 4X4 truck-mounted tracking/illumination radars, one emergency power supply vehicle, and six 6X6 truck-mounted transporter-launcher platforms. Each of the launch platform has five ready to launch missiles in individual sealed containers.
The fire unit is complemented by a technical support unit which comprises a transport and reloading vehicle, a test vehicle, an electronic maintenance vehicle, an electromechanical maintenance vehicle, a tools support vehicle, a spares and meter vehicle, and a power supply vehicle.
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| TY-90 SAM quad-launcher mounted on the two-wheel carriage being deployed along with the 25mm AAA guns to form an integrated air defence system (Source: Chinese Internet) |
Guidance
The surveillance radar detects the target aircraft and then hands it over to the appropriate tracking/illumination radar unit for the engagement. The system continuous wave semi-active homing guidance principles, and, with the allocated assets, the battery can process up to 40 targets, track 12 and engage three of them simultaneously. The use of the moving target tracking processing system and frequency agility technology also gives the system good anti-jamming capability. System reaction time is 9 seconds.
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| The Yitian air defence system mounted on the WZ551 wheeled APC (Source: Chinese Internet) |
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| The Yitian air defence system mounted on a SAC copy of the HMMWV (Source: Chinese Internet) |
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| The TY-90 missile as a part of the LD-2000 AAA/SAM air defence system (Source: Chinese Internet) |
Specifications
Missile dimensions: Length 1.862m; Diameter 0.09m
Launch weight: 20kg
Warhead: 3kg HE expanding rod
Propulsion: One solid-propellant rocket motor
Off-boresight capability: 60 degree
Speed: Mach 2
G Limit: 20G
Range: 0.5~6km
Guidance: All-aspect infrared
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