Chinese Navy conducts firing test of new YJ-9 anti-ship missile from Z-9D naval helicopter

According to video footage published by the Chinese TV channel CCTV, the Chinese Navy has conducted firing tests with new low-altitude anti-ship missile YJ-9 launched from a Z-9D naval carrier-based naval helicopter.
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Chinese Navy conducts live firing of YJ-9 anti-ship missile launched from a Z-9D naval helicopter. (Picture source video footage CCTV)

According to the China-Arms website, the Z-9D is a naval version of the standard Z-9 Chinese-made military utility helicopter manufactured by Harbin Aircraft Manufacturing Corporation. The first prototype of the Z-9D was unveiled in 2011. In November 2016, an operational Z-9D assigned to the 5th Air Regiment, 2nd Naval Aviation Division was spotted for the first time armed with YJ-9 anti-ship missiles. 

Citing Chinese military sources, the Z9-D can carry a total of four missiles fitted on stub wings mounted on each side of the helicopter. The helicopter is fitted with an improved X-band KLC-3B airborne search radar with a new flat-plate slit antenna that can search up to 180 kilometers for warship targets with a displacement of 3,000 tons or more and can capture small missile boats and speedboats of 50 tons from more than 60 kilometers away.

The YJ-9 is a lightweight anti-ship missile (AShM) that can be used against fast attack boats and gunboats. It has a range of 15 km and can fly at a speed of 0.8 Mach weighing 105 kg.

The YJ-9 missile is available in three variants depending on the guidance including the YJ-9E (radar), YJ-9EA (TV), and YJ-9EB (semi-active laser). The latest version of the YJ-9 missile has been upgraded with a new datalink antenna.

According to the SIPRI (Stockholm International Peace Research Institute) Arms Trade Database, China has delivered YJ-9E to Zambia that will be mounted of L-15 combat/trainer aircraft.