HHQ-7 octuple launch unit on a Type-051B (NATO: Luhai) class destroyer.
Source: Megapixie -
© Public domain
The HHQ-7 is a naval SAM system of Chinese origin. It is an adaptation of the French Crotale Naval. It was acquired since the domestic HQ-61 proved to be unreliable and had poor performance. The HHQ-7 was the first effective short range naval SAM system in Chinese service.
The HHQ-7 is derived from the French Crotale Naval system, which China had acquired in small numbers. The Chinese system is not a direct copy, since it uses a different launcher design and the fire control radar is an a separate mount. A pop-up reloading facility is mounted behind the distinctive octuple launcher.
Targets for the HHQ-7 are acquired by the ship's air search radar. On many Chinese vessels armed with the HHQ-7 this is the Type 360 radar. The missiles launched by the HHQ-7 use semi-active radar guidance, requiring the target to be illuminated by a fire control radar. The Type 345 fire control radar is operated via the ship's combat data management system. A TV channel allows for manual back-up, in which case an operator uses a joystick to train the fire control radar onto target.
The HHQ-7 has a maximum range of 12 km and altitude of 5 km. Using the improved missiles associated with the HHQ-7B system the range and altitude increase to 15 km and 6 km respectively. Minimum engagement range is 700 meters. Against subsonic sea skimming targets the effective range is quoted as 6.5 km. Response time of the system is 6 to 10 seconds. Chinese sources suggest a probability to hit of 70%.
The HHQ-7 was used to arm several classes of Chinese frigates and destroyers in the 1990's. Some older destroyers had their aft turrets replaced by a HHQ-7 system. In newly built frigates and destroyers the HHQ-7 is located on the bow, between the main gun and the bridge.
The HHQ-7 was the first naval SAM system in Chinese service providing a credible and reliable air defense capability. A major downside of the system is that only a single target can be engaged at a time. Also, the limited range makes it more of a point defense than area defense system. For those reasons more capable Russian and domestic naval SAM systems are used on designs from the mid 2000's onward.
The HHQ-7 system uses the same missiles as the land based HQ-7 system. These missiles use semi-active radar homing guidance and feature a proximity fuse.
The Chinese HHQ-7 launcher differs significantly from the French Crotale Naval. The Chinese naval launcher has no illumination radar.
The Type 345 fire control radar is used to illuminate the target. This is a separate installation on Chinese vessels, and not integrated with the launcher. A TV channel allows for back-up manual command of the illumination radar.
The most numerous class of ships fitted with the HHQ-7 naval SAM system. A follow-up to the less successful Type-053H2G that used the HQ-61 naval SAM system.
The two Type-052 (NATO: Luhu) class destroyers were fitted with the HHQ-7 naval SAM system. Reportedly this was upgraded to a newer standard during the 2011 refits.
The single Type-051B (NATO: Luhai) class destroyer is the largest vessel to be equipped with the HHQ-7 naval SAM system.
The two ships of the Type-054 (NATO: Jiangkai I) class of frigates were the final Chinese ships to be fitted with the HHQ-7 system. The improved Type-054A (NATO: Jiangkai II) class of frigates is armed with a VLS system for HHQ-16 missiles.
The HHQ-16 is a newer generation naval SAM system. It is launched from a vertical launch system and has a much longer effective range. Multiple targets can be engaged at the same time since it uses more smaller fire control radars.
© WeaponSystems.net | All rights reserved.