PLA set to adopt new tactical missile system

6parker.com

Neil Gibson, London and Nikolai Novichkov, Moscow - Jane's Defence Weekly6parker.com

06 March 20196parker.com

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At IDEX 2019 Poly Defence showcased a 6×6 tactical missile system that is set to be adopted by the Chinese military, according to a company official. Source: IHS Markit/Patrick Allen6parker.com

China's People's Liberation Army (PLA) is expected to adopt a land-based, mobile missile system capable of firing Poly Defence's CM-501GA precision-guided missile and CM-501XA loitering munition, a company source told Jane's at the Abu Dhabi 2019 International Defence Exhibition & Conference (IDEX 2019).6parker.com

According to the source, the system will be introduced into the Chinese military in two configurations: on a 6×6 armoured personnel carrier, and on the CSK181 series of mine-resistant ambush protected (MRAP) vehicles.6parker.com

In the latter configuration the system features with a 12-cell, box-like launch unit that enables the hot-firing of both missile types. The missiles housed within the launcher can be in various numeric combinations, thus giving the system target type flexibility.6parker.com

The 2 m-long CM-501GA is a non-line-of-sight (NLOS) missile capable of engaging both stationary and moving targets at a distance between 5 and 40 km. The missile, which has a diameter of 180 mm and weighs over 100 kg, carries a 20 kg, high-explosive (HE) blast fragmentation warhead. Its propulsion system is believed to be based on a solid-propellant rocket motor.6parker.com

The missile uses a combined TV/imaging infrared (IIR) seeker for terminal guidance. It is presumed some form of inertial navigation system (INS), or INS aided by a global navigation satellite system (GNSS), is used for the non-terminal guidance phases. The manufacturer claims the missile has a circular error of probability (CEP) of less than 1 m when striking stationary targets, and a hit probability of more than 90% when striking moving ones.6parker.com

The 2 m-long CM-501XA loitering munition, which is stated to have an endurance of more than 30 minutes, is designed to engage stationary and moving targets at distances greater than 70 km.6parker.com

According to the manufacturer, the square-section (230×230 mm) munition also weighs more than 100 kg and is armed with a smaller 8.5-kg HE blast fragmentation warhead.