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Naval Forces News - China |
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New
Chinese supersonic anti-ship missile "YJ-12" fitted on PLAN's
H-6G bomber |
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Pictures
of YJ-12, one of china's latest anti-ship missile, fitted on a Chinese
Navy (PLAN) Xian H-6G bomber have recently emerged on the Chinese internet
meaning this new generation missile may have entered operational service. |
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The first picture of YJ-12 which emmerged in early 2013
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Existence of the YJ-12 came to light in early 2013,
when its first picture emerged. The missile appears somewhat similar
in design to the Russian Kh-31 air to surface missile or even closer
in shape to the US made GQM-163A Coyote which is a supersonic sea skimming
target.
Like the missiles mentioned above, the Chinese missile uses ramjet technology:
Airbreathing jet engine using the engine's forward motion to compress
incoming air, without a rotary compressor. It allows missiles to reach
very high speeds.
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A Japan Self Defense Force picture from November 2013 showing
a PLAN H-6G bomber flying over contested water. The bomber is fitted
with some never seen before pylons. It will turn out that those new
pylons are designed to carry the new YJ-12 supersonic anti-ship missile.
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The YJ-12 (YingJi meaning Eagle Strike) was designed
by the Third Academy of the China Aerospace Science and Industry Corporation
"CASIC" (HiWING Mechanical & Electrical Technology Corporation).
It is fitted with liquid-fueled ramjet (with a combined booster and
combustion chamber).
Its reported speed is around Mach 2 if launched from a low altitude
and up to Mach 3.2 if launched from high altitude. According to Chinese
sources, the YJ-12 maximum range is around 380 kilometers (the distance
varies depending on launch altitude) and its terminal attack altitude
is 15 meters. Finally the missile would be about 6,3 meters long with
a diameter below 0,756 meters.
In addition to PLAN's H-6G bomber, the YJ-12 would also be fitted on
PLAN's JH-7B as their main weapon for anti-ship missions.
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A recent picture (January 2014) showing a Chinese H-6G bomber
carrying a YJ-12 supersonic anti-ship missile under the new pylon.
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