C-802 / YJ-83 Anti-Ship Missile
Last updated: 27 June 2008
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| YJ-83 anti-ship missile (Chinese Internet) |
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The PRC first unveiled the C-802 (NATO reporting name: CSS-N-8 Saccade) subsonic shore-to-ship missile developed by China Haiying Electro-Mechanical Technology Academy (CHETA) in 1989. Based on the YJ-8 (C-801), the turbojet-powered C-802 features a maximum range of 120km. The missile was initially promoted to the export market, with Iran being the first customer. Later the ship-to-ship version of the missile entered service with the PLA Navy as the YJ-83. An air-launched anti-ship version may have been developed as YJ-83K. An air-launched land attack cruise missile (LACM) known as KD-88 (C-802KD) is in service with the PLA Air Force (PLAAF).
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C-802 shore-to-ship missile (Chinese Internet) |
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C-802 Shore-to-Ship Missile
The C-802 was derived from the YJ-8/C-801, but employs a turbojet with paraffin-based fuel to achieve extended range. The missile body was stretched to accommodate extra fuel. The missile has a slim cylinder body with round nose, trapezoid wings and stubby fins near the end of the body. The air intake of the turbojet engine is located under the missile body.
Like the YJ-8/C-801, the C-802 uses a mono-pulse terminal guidance radar seeker with a 165kg time-delayed semi-armour-piercing warhead behind. The instrument compartment containing the guidance command processor, vertical gyro, radio altimeter and its antenna, is located in front of the rocket motor. It uses a semi-armour-piercing anti-personnel blast warhead which relies on the missile's kinetic energy to pierce the deck of a ship, penetrate into and explode in the ship's interior
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The C-802 is co-produced in Iran under license as Noor (Chinese Internet) |
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The missile system is mounted on a 6X6 truck, each carrying three box-shape missile launchers. The missile examination equipment is carried between the driving cab and missile launchers. The truck has four hydraulically-operated stabilisers, which are lowered in preparation for the missile launch.
The C-802 was developed specifically for the export market, and never entered service with the PLA. After the 1991 Gulf War, Iran purchased about 60 units of the C-802 missile and deployed them in coastal batteries on Qeshm Island. Iran has also been co-producing the C-802 missile locally under license. Some reports suggested that Iran and North Korea were jointly developing an improved variant of the C-802, with improved guidance.
C-802A
An improved variant designated C-802A was revealed during the Defence Systems & Equipment International (DSEI) Exhibition held in London in September 2005. This variant features an increased range of 180km.
YJ-83 Ship-to-Ship Missile
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PLA Navy crew moving a YJ-83 missile (Chinese Internet) |
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The YJ-83 was developed in the late 1990s based on the C-802 design. The two missiles are almost identical in appearance, and possible share similar design and are comparable in performance. The YJ-83 reportedly has a maximum range of 180~250km. In contrast to some earlier reports which suggested that the missile flies at supersonic speeds during the final phase before hitting the target, the missile actually flies at a subsonic speed (Mach 0.9) throughout its whole flight. The YJ-83 is launched from the box-shape launch/storage container fitted on most PRC-built surface combatants as standard.
The YJ-83 features a datalink antenna at the mid-section of its body. The antenna is used to receive target information provided surveillance aircraft, giving the missile ‘over-the-horizon’ attack capability. The target information can be provided by the PLA Navy’s Z-9C shipborne helicopter or the land-based Shaanxi Y-8J Skymaster maritime surveillance aircraft.
YJ-83K Air-to-Ship Missile
An air-launched version of the YJ-83 was said to have been developed. The missile lacks the solid-rocket booster and is carried by the PLA Navy JH-7 fighter-bomber and H-6M naval bomber.
KD-88 (C-802KD) LACM
The KD-88 (or C-802KD in its export name) is the TV-homing LACM version of the YJ-83
Please see main article: KD-88 LACM.
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| C-802 Anti-Ship Missile: (1) Terminal guidance radar seeker; (2) Warhead; (3) Instrument compartment; (4) Wings; (5) Turbojet engine; (6) Stabilising fins; (7) Solid rocket booster; (8) Air intake; (9) Fuel storage |
Specifications
Length: 6.392m
Diameter: 0.36m
Wingspan: 1.18m
Launch weight: 715kg
Warhead: 165kg time-delayed semi-armour-piercing high-explosive
Propulsion: One turbojet engine, one solid booster
Max speed: Mach 0.9
Range: 8~120km
Flight altitude: 20~30m (flight); 5~7m (attacking)
Guidance Mode: Inertial and terminal active radar
Single-shot hit probability: N/A
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