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YJ-91 / Yingzhe-91 / Eagle Strike 91

In the 1990s, China purchased an unknown number of KH-31P anti-radiation missiles from Russia. This type of missile is the fourth-generation anti-radiation missile developed by the Soviet Union (the third generation internationally), and it is also based on the Soviet air defense suppression theory. "The Last Masterpiece". In 2007, China improved the KH-31P missile based on its own achievements in microelectronics technology, and successfully developed the Eagle Strike 91 anti-radiation missile, and at the same time developed an anti-ship-type Eagle Strike 91 on this basis.

The Eagle-91 is known as a "tailor-made" nemesis for the Aegis system. It is divided into two types: anti-radiation and anti-ship models. The head structure varies with different missile models. The anti-radiation head is equipped with a passive radar seeker and a killing blasting warhead, and the anti-ship type head is equipped with an active radar seeker and a semi-armor piercing warhead. Based on information from various parties, the Eagle-91 is 4.7 meters long, 360 mm in diameter, 0.6 tons in weight, 90 kg in warhead, and has a maximum range of 50 kilometers and a minimum range of 5 kilometers.

The Eagle-91 anti-radiation missile is claimed to be superior to the high-speed anti-radiation missiles such as the Shrike and HARM currently in service in the United States in terms of flight speed and lethality. It can effectively attack large surface ships such as the Ticonderoga class and Burke class. AN/SPY-1 Aegis phased array guidance radar.

In August 2012, the Eagle Strike 91 and Eagle Strike 83 K anti-ship missile models appeared on the deck of the "Liaoning" aircraft carrier. The emergence of the missile model means that the J-15 can use the above two missiles to attack enemy surface ships. The Eagle Strike 91 and Eagle Strike 83 K anti-ship missiles, the combination of sub-superior missiles and active/passive combination of the two missiles, improve the effectiveness of attacking surface ships. Even warships equipped with the "Aegis" air defense system will face severe tests.

Anti-radiation missiles are specially used to attack the radar system of the opponent and are one of the most important attack weapons in information warfare. The Gulf War made the Chinese Air Force realize the importance of anti-radiation missiles. China developed modern anti-radiation missiles through the introduction and imitation. After years of development, China finally developed the Yingji 91 anti-radiation missile that formed effective pressure on the Japanese Self-Defense Forces.

After the disintegration of the Soviet Union, Russia developed KH-31PB, KH-31PK, KH-31PD and other improved anti-radiation missiles on the basis of KH-31P, and the combat performance has gradually improved.

Russia's latest anti-radiation missile KH-31PD began mass production, and China began to produce KH-31P anti-radiation missiles under Russia's license. The PLA special operations aircraft began to replace the domestic YJ-91 anti-radiation missile. This missile is an imitation and improved version of the KH-31P missile. The YJ-91 missile can effectively deter Aegis warships and can attack Japan. The Japan Self-Defense Forces are under pressure. The continuous reports of Russian media aroused many people's interest in China's anti-radiation missiles.

An anti-radiation missile [ARM] is a tactical missile specially designed to attack electromagnetic radiation sources. It uses electromagnetic waves emitted by enemy radars or other electromagnetic radiation sources as guidance signals to fly to enemy radars or other electromagnetic radiation sources. Electromagnetic radiation source destroyed. Modern warfare has developed into an information-based war, and the control of electromagnetic power on the battlefield is the focus of competition between the warring parties, while the destruction or suppression of enemy radars and the preservation of their own radars are the focus of competition for electromagnetic power.

Because, whether it is in the homeland air defense system, the air defense system at the important place, or the field air defense system, the radar is an indispensable and important part. Advanced air defense weapon systems pose a lethal threat to aviation aircraft. The use of anti-radiation missiles to destroy enemy radars to seize electromagnetic control and to seize the initiative in war has become a general formula for modern warfare.

The main functions of anti-radiation missiles are: first, to destroy the radar of the enemy's air defense system, suppress the enemy's air defense weapon system, and gain air supremacy; It is used to destroy the enemy's interference source, so that one's own electronic equipment is not interfered. Since the US military first used anti-radiation missiles in the Vietnam War in 1965, Russia, France, the United Kingdom, Brazil and other countries have successively developed anti-radiation missiles. At present, anti-radiation missiles have been developed for three generations, their performance is improving day by day, and their development is in the ascendant. They have played an important role in many local wars and have become important weapons and equipment in many countries.

The Shrike anti-radiation missile played an important role in suppressing the North Vietnamese air defense system. The picture shows the US Air Force F-105 attack aircraft carrying the Shrike missile during the Vietnam War to carry out the mission of attacking the North Vietnamese radar.

In 1965, the U.S. Air Force used the AGM-45A Shrike anti-radiation missile to attack North Vietnamese anti-aircraft artillery radar for the first time on the Vietnam battlefield. Shrike anti-radiation missile is the first generation of anti-radiation missile developed by the United States. At the beginning of its development, the main purpose was to attack the Soviet Union's air defense system in Cuba. It was successfully developed in 1963, and it was equipped with troops in 1964. battlefield. According to statistics, in the Vietnam War, before the use of anti-radiation missiles, an average of 10 SA-2 missiles could shoot down a US combat aircraft, and after the use of anti-radiation missiles, it took 70 SA-2 missiles to shoot down a US military aircraft. The outstanding performance of the US anti-radiation missiles in suppressing the North Vietnamese air defense system in the Vietnam War has left a deep impression on the Chinese military.

In the 1970s, China's development of anti-radiation missiles failed due to insufficient funding. The great combat effectiveness of anti-radiation missiles such as the Mozu in the Vietnam War prompted China to develop its own anti-radiation missiles. In 1976 and 1977, the Air Force Command proposed the development of anti-radiation missiles to the National Defense Science, Technology and Industry Committee twice. After the demonstration was passed, in 1978, the Central Military Commission officially issued a document agreeing to develop China's first anti-radiation missile - Fenglei No. 7.

In 1979, the Eighth General Administration of Machinery Industry issued a development plan for the Fenglei 7 missile. Since China's scientific and technological level and industrial base were relatively backward at that time, it was difficult and risky to independently develop anti-radiation missiles. The Shrike missile wreckage and some unexploded bombs obtained from the anti-US aid to Vietnam became the best reference for the development of anti-radiation missiles. The shape and size of Fenglei No. 7 are basically the same as those of the Shrike missile, and the comprehensive combat capability has reached the level of the Shrike missile.

Fenglei 7 was originally planned to be installed in 1985, and the carrier aircraft were J-8II fighter jets and JH-7 fighter-bombers. At the beginning of 1981, the Fenglei No. 7 missile project was cancelled due to the country's reduction of funds and insufficient scientific research funds.

The Gulf War once again made the Chinese Air Force realize the importance of anti-radiation missiles for gaining air supremacy. In the first five days of the air strikes in the Gulf War, the multinational forces launched more than 600 anti-radiation missiles, destroying 90% of Iraqi ground air defense radars. In a state of paralysis, basically lost the ability to resist.

The KH-31P anti-radiation missile was the "last masterpiece" of the Soviet anti-aircraft suppression theory. The Kh-31 was originally used as an airborne anti-ship missile. But the Russians quickly realized that with a different seeker, the missile could also be an excellent anti-radar weapon. The anti-ship version of the Kh-31 has a range of 50 kilometers, while the anti-radar version of the Kh-31 has an effective range of 110 kilometers. The 600-kilogram missile carries an 87-kilogram (about 190 lb) heavy warhead.

With the enhancement of economic strength and changes in the international situation, marked by the introduction of the Su-27SK fighter jets, the Chinese Air Force's combat thinking has begun to change from homeland air defense to active defense. The change in combat thinking has brought about the advancement of weapons and equipment. Combat aircraft and airborne weapons have been equipped with troops one after another, and the construction of the Air Force's C3I system has also received attention. During this period, potential combat opponents began to equip advanced air defense missile systems such as Patriot 2 and Tiangong 1, and new mobile radars have been widely equipped in the army, posing a huge threat to the Chinese aviation force. The development or introduction of anti-radiation missile systems has become a must A problem not faced. After the disintegration of the Soviet Union, in order to survive, the weak Russia began to sell various weapons and equipment to foreign countries (of course, some weapons that can be sold), among which the KH-31 missile is also on the list for sale. In this case, both China and the United States are It wasted no time to buy this type of missile from Russia.

The KH-31P anti-radiation missile is the fourth-generation anti-radiation missile developed by the Soviet Union (it should be the third generation in the world), and it is also the "last masterpiece" of the Soviet air defense suppression theory. The missile is mainly aimed at the AN/APQ-53 of the "Patriot" air defense missile system and the "Aegis" AN/SPY-1 phased array radar. It is a high-speed anti-radiation missile with advanced performance. The KH-31P development work began in 1977, passed the test in 1988-1990, and was equipped with troops in 1991. The missile uses a combined solid rocket/ramjet engine with a maximum speed of Mach 3.5, a minimum range of 10 kilometers, and a maximum range of 110 kilometers.

The missile is equipped with the L-112E anti-radiation seeker. Due to the backward microelectronics level of the Soviet Union at that time, the KH-31P uses 3 kinds of seekers with limited bandwidth, covering radars in different bands respectively, and changing different guides according to the needs during combat. Lead, lack of combat flexibility. After the disintegration of the Soviet Union, Russia developed improved anti-radiation missiles such as KH-31PB and KH-31PK on the basis of KH-31P. The missiles have greatly improved their range and killing probability. It is reported that the latest improved KH-31PD of the KH-31P has been mass-produced. The KH-31PD missile uses a seeker with a wider bandwidth, and the range has also been improved, up to 200 kilometers. The overall performance is much better than that of the KH-31P.

In the 1990s, due to the shortage of domestic funds, Russia's Zvezda-Strela company sold MA-31 missiles to American McDonnell Douglas, and the number was quite large. The MA-31 missile is improved on the basis of the Kh-31 missile. In 1995, the US company McDonnell Douglas signed a contract with Russia's Zvezda-Strela to purchase the MA-31 missile to use the missile as a target for simulating high-speed sea-skimming missile attacks. The transaction caused the United States to have a bottom-up view of the performance of this missile family. When Zvezda-Strela sold the MA-31 target bullet to McDonnell Douglas, it was treated without electronics, hence the name (green bullet). But even so, the performance of the MA-31 target bomb is well understood by the United States. In the 1990s, China purchased an unknown number of KH-31P missiles from Russia, and imitated the KH-31P missiles with the help of Russia. The -63 air-to-ground missile project was established at the same time. The introduction of Su-30MKK multi-purpose fighter jets also purchased a certain number of KH-31P missiles, which enabled the Chinese Air Force to have anti-radiation missiles that can be used in actual combat for the first time.

From 2004 to 2005, China once again imported about 200 KH-31P missiles from Russia. From this news, the Eagle 91 anti-radiation missile had not been successfully developed at that time. According to the information released by the Russian Tactical Missile Company, between 2002 and 2007, Russia exported several batches of KH-31P missiles to China and provided parts and components to assemble the KH-31P missiles. After 2007, Russia did not export this type of missiles to China. This year, the Flying Leopard fighter jet launched the Eagle Strike 91 in the propaganda film of the China Test Flight Institute. The outside world speculated that the credibility of the Eagle 91 missile to be finalized around 2007 is still relatively high.

In terms of appearance, the shape of the YJ-91 missile body is very similar to the Kh-31 missile. Due to the backward electronic technology of the Kh-31 missile developed by the former Soviet Union, most of the circuits are electronic tube structures. The Kh-31P is equipped with 3 types of seekers covering different frequency bands. During combat, it is necessary to temporarily replace different guides for radars with different operating frequencies.

After the introduction, China was not satisfied with the seeker head of this Russian-made missile that detects the radar radiation wave and guides the missile to the radar target. China did not completely imitate the KH-31P missile during the localization of the KH-31P missile, but improved the KH-31P missile based on its own achievements in microelectronic technology to adapt it to the new combat environment.

The improvements of the Eagle Strike-91 over the Kh-31P include the replacement of the wide spectrum seeker, and the use of an integrated single seeker instead of three different seekers. The Eagle 91 missile uses a seeker with a wider frequency coverage instead of the L-112E anti-radiation seeker. The new Chinese-made seeker can detect a wider range of radar frequencies, from 2 to 18 hertz (GHz); it is more accurate, with a radius of error within 8 to 10 meters. It does not need to replace the seeker with different bandwidths according to the operational needs like the KH-31P, and the operational flexibility is higher. The new seeker is also smaller than the L-112E, helping to increase the missile's fuel carrying capacity and further increase the range.

The seeker can cover 90% of the air defense radar, which improves the combat flexibility. Because the new seeker is an integrated circuit structure, it is smaller than the anti-radiation seeker of the Kh-31P, and the corresponding length of the power compartment has been increased, which means more fuel and is conducive to improving the missile range. The YJ-91 anti-radiation missile also has a matching command pod. In addition, like the Kh-31 missile series, the YJ-91 missile also has anti-ship products. The anti-ship model is developed by China itself, and China has not ordered the anti-ship model Kh-31A.

At the Zhuhai Air Show in 2010, the YJ 91 missile model was unveiled as the J-10 airborne weapon together with the J-10, becoming a highlight of the air show. Judging from the model of the Eagle Strike 91 missile on display, the missile continues the aerodynamic layout of the KH-31P, and the size of the missile is basically the same as that of the KH-31P, with a length of 4.7-5.2 meters and a diameter of about 360 mm. It weighs 600 kilograms and has a maximum range of over 110 kilometers.

China did not completely imitate the KH-31P missile during the localization of the KH-31P missile, but improved the KH-31P missile based on its own achievements in microelectronic technology to adapt it to the new combat environment. The Eagle 91 missile uses a seeker with a wider frequency coverage instead of the L-112E anti-radiation seeker. It does not need to replace the seeker with different bandwidths according to the operational needs like the KH-31P, and the operational flexibility is higher. The new seeker is also smaller than the L-112E, helping to increase the missile's fuel carrying capacity and further increase the range.

In the process of localization of the KH-31 missile, China also accepted the Russian "one bomb, two uses" idea, and developed the anti-ship type YJ 91 on the basis of the YJ 91 missile. The anti-ship and anti-radiation Eagle 91 missiles use a general-purpose missile body in the middle and tail of the missile, both of which use a combined rocket/ramjet engine. The head structure varies with the missile model. The anti-radiation type head is equipped with a passive radar seeker. The anti-ship Eagle 91 uses an active radar seeker and semi-armor-piercing warhead to meet the needs of attacking surface ships. Although its warhead is smaller than an anti-ship missile of the same level, its flying speed is fast and its damage power is comparable to that of the Eagle Strike 83K air-to-ship missile. The installation of the anti-ship YJ 91 enables China to have its own air-launched supersonic anti-ship missiles, which can further improve the aviation's ability to attack surface ships.

The "Eagle-91" supersonic anti-ship missile can attack ship targets independently and autonomously due to its active radar seeker. Its range can be increased to 120 kilometers, and the sea-skimming flight altitude in the cruise phase is maintained at about 20 meters, and in the attack phase, the flight altitude is reduced to about 7 meters above the sea surface, and the minimum can even be reduced to 1.2 meters, making it hard to spot by attacked ships on board radar.

In August 2012, models of Yingjing 91 and Yingjing 83K anti-ship missiles appeared on the deck of the "Liaoning" aircraft carrier. The appearance of the missile models means that the J-15 can use the above two missiles to attack enemy surface ships. J91 and Yingjing 83K anti-ship missiles, the sub-super-combination and active/passive combination of the two missiles can improve the effect of attacking surface ships. Even warships equipped with the "Aegis" air defense system will face severe tests. With the continuous development of anti-radiation missile technology, the performance of anti-radiation missiles has been continuously improved, and the threat to radar has become greater and greater. In modern warfare, anti-radiation missile-based confrontation and anti-confrontation have become more and more intense.

Based on the KH-31P missile, the anti-radiation Eagle 91 missile adopts a seeker with a wider bandwidth, which has a long range, high speed and a relatively large projectile diameter, which has laid a good foundation for future upgrades. Larger and more sensitive passive seekers and the addition of active guidance modes have comprehensively improved the performance of anti-radiation missiles, which has become the development trend of anti-radiation missiles.

At present, the frequency coverage of the anti-radiation missile seeker is 2GHz-18GHz (which can cover 90% of air defense radars), and the frequency coverage of the Eagle 91 seeker is also similar to the above range. To further improve the performance of the Eagle 91 missile, it is necessary to It is necessary to develop a seeker with a wider frequency coverage (reaching the range of 0.1GHz-40GHz) to cope with the trend of extending the air defense radar frequency band to both ends, and to have the ability to attack meter-wave and millimeter-wave radars.

It is also one of the trends in the development of anti-radiation missiles to increase the active guidance mode to improve the accuracy of missile hits, and to make the missile continue to use the active seeker to continue searching for the target when it loses the target radar radiation electromagnetic wave. We know that increasing the hardware related to the active guidance mode It will occupy a certain space, and the relatively large diameter of the Eagle Strike 91 can leave enough space for the addition of active guidance antennas. At present, the YJ-91 missile still uses INS as the mid-course guidance method, and the navigation accuracy will increase over time. The establishment of the "Beidou" satellite navigation system is progressing steadily, and its navigation accuracy can already meet military needs. Therefore, it should be The Eagle 91 adds satellite guidance to further improve its accuracy and improve its combat capability.

With the continuous advancement of the strategic transformation of the Air Force and the commissioning of aircraft carriers, the operational scope of China's future aviation forces will be further expanded, and the demand for advanced anti-radiation missiles will also increase. Radiation missiles, striving to complete the leap from "Suppression of Enemy Air Defense" (SEAD) to "Destruction of Enemy Air Defense" (DEAD), can further enhance the military's ability to win information-based warfare.

Eagle Strike 91 has obvious advantages: First, the warhead is powerful. The huge warhead of 150 kg is self-evident compared to the small warhead of "Ham" of 66 kg. Even if it does not hit directly, it can be destroyed or seriously damaged. enemy radar; second, the speed is fast, with an average high speed of Mach 2.3, it can hit a target 90 kilometers away in only 2 minutes at ultra-low altitude, so that the enemy has no time to respond; The enemy's air defense firepower can be safely launched outside the anti-circle to ensure the safety of the carrier aircraft; fourth, the seeker is single-minded. The seeker of the Eagle Strike 91 is specially aimed at the radars that are heavily equipped in the United States and the West, such as the Patriot, and has strong pertinence. It has become the "nemesis" of these radars.

The disadvantage of the Eagle Strike 91 comes from the above advantages: in order to ensure high power, high speed, and long range, the price paid by the Eagle Strike 91 is huge weight and huge volume, and the excessive diameter makes it impossible to use a double pylon , This makes the J-8 aircraft can only mount one in the lower centerline, and even the powerful Su-30 can only mount 4. Although it can still mount 4 R77s for anti-air at this time, but the additional After the sling and other plug-ins were added, the Su-30, which was originally known for its mobility, may have difficulty exerting its advantages. More seriously, as the three most commonly used attack modes of anti-radiation missiles: self-defense mode, preset mode and casual mode, such weight and volume make it usually only suitable for preset mode.