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BA-21 Blue Arrow 21 air-to-surface missile

The biggest difference between Lanjian-21 and Lanjian-7 is the warhead. Lanjian-7 is semi-active laser guidance, so the head can clearly see the optical window, while Lanjian-21 has a white fairing, so Lanjian-21 It should be guided by millimeter-wave end-guided radar. If the Blue Arrow-7 is equivalent to the Hellfire missile of the United States, then the Blue Arrow-21 is equivalent to the Longbow-Hellfire. Its development has greatly improved the attack of Chinese armed helicopters ability.

China introduced a variety of modern guided missiles developed by the country at the Zhuhai air show, taking place from November 1 to 6 in Guangdong. The Aviation Industry Corporation of China's (AVIC) subsidiary Chengdu Aircraft Corporation (CAC) unveiled its new drone at Zhuhai Airshow China 2016 which has two different configurations; one being the armed reconnaissance model and the other designed specifically for ISR missions. The Cloud Shadow is powered by indigenious WP11C turbojet engine and features 9 m long and 3,66 m tall airframe. The armed configuration has six underwing points. Judging by the samples of weapons laid out near the UAV, it is may be assumed that it will be able to carry air-to-ground missiles and guided bombs such as Blue Arrow 7, (NORINCO) Blue Arrow 21 air-to-surface missile, (CASIC) AG-300/M air-to-ground missile, (CASC) FT-7 small diameter PGM and TL-10 (YJ-9E) anti-ship missile. It can reach a maximum speed of 550 km/h while the ISR configuration features a belly-mounted electro-optical/infrared (EO/IR) sensor turret for target designation and post-strike battle-damage assessment (BDA). Both variants are equipped with a synthetic aperture radar (SAR).

The Blue Arrow-21 anti-tank missile is equipped with a radar probe, similar to the American AGM-114L "Longbow Hellfire". This missile is 1.7 meters long, weighs 46 kg, has a maximum range of 8 km, uses a concave detonator with the ability to penetrate 1,400 mm of homogeneous rolled steel (RHA). Photo: Sina.

From the relevant pictures, the Lanjian-21 is the same as the Longbow-Hellfire. It retains the overall design and aerodynamic layout of the Lanjian-7. It can be speculated that its engine, warhead, fuze and other components are also the same as the latter, so that To ensure the versatility of logistics support to the greatest extent, the difference between the two is that the front half of the Blue Arrow-7 projectile has an obvious adduction, showing a conical shape with a narrow front and a wide rear. Bold, showing a cylindrical shape. This design should increase the head space of the projectile, thereby increasing the antenna aperture of the missile-borne radar. Aperture and power are two key parameters that determine the radar detection range. Increasing the radar antenna aperture can also increase the radar. It can also provide ample space for the deployment of terminal guidance radar.

With the millimeter-wave terminal guidance radar, the Blue Arrow-21 achieves the two major functions of disregarding after launch and locking after launch. The helicopter can bind target data to the missile's guidance system before launch, and search for the target based on predetermined information after the missile is launched. Identify and track, and then destroy it, so that the missile does not need to lock the target before launch, thereby increasing the missile’s attack range. In addition, the helicopter can quickly evacuate after launching, enhancing the battlefield survivability, and relying on the airborne millimeter wave radar , The helicopter can detect the target hidden behind the obstacle, assign the target to the corresponding missile, and then jump up and launch the missile. After the missile is launched, it will quickly hide behind the obstacle, so that the armed helicopter will be exposed to the opponent’s air defense system for a shorter time and attack The probability of success and battlefield survivability have been improved.

With the Blue Arrow-21 and airborne millimeter wave fire control radar, the detection capabilities, attack capabilities, and coverage of domestic armed helicopters have been effectively enhanced, and the overall combat capabilities have been significantly improved.