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SY-2 ANTI-SHIP MISSILE

The ShangYou-2 (SY-2, also known as FeiLong-2 in its export name, NATO codename: CSS-N-5 Sabot) is the radar-guidance anti-ship missile developed by Hongdu Aircraft Industry Group (HAIG) of Nanchang, Jiangxi Province. The missile was introduced in the early 1990s as a successor to the first-generation SY-1 ship-to-ship missile. Hongdu has also developed a range of improved variants based on the SY-2, including improved extended-range variant SY-2A, and the supersonic land-to-ship variant FL-7.

PROGRAMME

Nanchang Aircraft Factory (now HAIG) began to develop a successor to its SY-1 (Chinese copy of the Soviet SS-N-2 Styx) in 1970. The development had two missile variants using liquid and solid fuel rocket motor respectively. The liquid-fuel variant flew successfully in 1975, and the first live fire test of the missile took place in 1980. However, development of the liquid-fuel variant was then fully stopped due to the PLA Navy’s favour on solid-fuel-powered anti-ship missiles.

Development of the second variant employing a solid-fuel rocket motor began in 1977, and the project was listed as one of the highest-priority weapon programmes in the Chinese government’s eighth ‘Five-Year Plan’. As well as the new rocket motor, the missile also features improved booster, extended range, higher speed, and a new semi-armour-piercing high-explosive warhead. The missile is comparable to the SY-1 in size and launch equipment, enabling it to be launched from the existing SY-1 launchers.

The first successful land test of the solid-fuel variant missile took place in September 1986. The first sea firing carried out in June 1987 was unsuccessful due to engine failure. In the second sea firing in December 1987 six of the seven missile fired hit the targets. In 1999 the missile was officially designated SY-2 and the certificate for batch production was issued. The missile replaced the ageing SY-1 deployed on the PLAN’s Type 053 (Jianghu class) missile frigates. Its export version is known as FeiLong-2 (FL-2).

HAIG also introduced a number of improved variants based on the SY-2 in the 1990s. The SY-2A development began in the mid-1990s, featuring a new turbojet engine replacing the original solid-fuel rocket increasing the missile range from 50km to 130km. The missile also reportedly has the option to be fitted with GPS guidance for land-attack cruise missile (LACM) role. It may also be capable of air-launch from the JH-7 fighter-bomber or H-6 medium bomber.

An unknown variant (SY-2B?) was displayed during the 1999 national Day military parade held in Beijing. The missile was described by the Chinese state media as a “supersonic, ultra-low altitude missile with world’s advanced level”.

Another improved variant is the FeiLong-7 (FL-7) land-to-ship missile. The missile was developed from the cancelled liquid-fuel variant SY-2. The FL-7 is also supersonic, with a maximum range of 30km and a terminal speed of Mach 1.4. The name of the missile indicates that it was developed for export market only.

VARIANTS

MISSILE

The SY-2 is comparable in size and aerodynamic layout to the SY-1, but with a slightly sharper nose and slimmer fuselage to adapt to higher speed flight. The missile has a pair of delta-shape flying wings and three tail control surfaces. There is also a pair of small flaps mounted on the root of the rudder, a feature which can be used to identify the missile. The semi armour-piercing warhead of the missile can pierce solid armour and then explode inside the ship hull to cause greater damage. The missile’s level flying altitude is 50~100m, much higher than that of the modern ‘sea-skimming’ anti-ship missiles.

The FL-7 has a even sharper nose compared to the SY-2. The FL-7 has the original small horizontal stabilisers on the SY-2 removed but retained the guidance and warhead systems.

SPECIFICATIONS

This page was last updated 23 April 2006