FB-10
FB-10 (Chinese: 飞豹-10) is a mobile short-range air defense missile system developed by the Shanghai Academy of Spaceflight Technology of China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation (CASC).[1]
The improved variant, called FB-10A, entered the People's Liberation Army Ground Force (PLAGF) service with the designation HQ-13 (Chinese: 红旗-13).[2][3]
Design
[edit]Unveiled at the 2016 Zhuhai Airshow, it features a 6x6 TEL with a phased array radar, optical sensor, and eight missile tubes. The engagement range is 10 kilometers (6.2 miles), and the engagement altitude is from 15 to 5,000 meters (49 to 16,404 feet).[4] According to Chinese sources, the FB-10 missile is similar to the HQ-10 rolling airframe missile system with infrared/radar dual mode hybrid guidance system.[5]
The FB-10A (PLA designation: HQ-13) missile has a range of 18 km (11 mi), an engagement altitude of 7,500 m (24,600 ft), and a dual-mode guidance system that consists of radio command and imaging infrared (IIR) homing. The radio and IIR guidance allow the missile to be more resistant against countermeasures.[6]
The HQ-13 air defense system is mounted on the common Dongfeng Mengshi chassis. The launch vehicle carries eight HQ-13 (FB-10A) missiles, while the gun-missile vehicle (SWS3) carries a 35mm single-barrel autocannon with two HQ-13 (FB-10A) missiles. The missile systems are supplemented by the OW5-A10 high-energy laser weapon system to form a layered air defense network for People's Liberation Army Ground Force (PLAGF) light combined arms brigades.[2][3][7]
Platforms
[edit]- FB-10 System
- FB-10 missile is a type of fire-and-forget air defense missile with an imaging infrared (IIR) guidance system. It can be mounted on a truck.[1]
- Mengshi FB-10A Launch System
- Air defense vehicle based on the Dongfeng Mengshi 6x6 chassis. The vehicle features a phased array radar, an optical sensor turret, and eight FB-10A missiles.[8]
- Mengshi SWS3/LD35L
- Air defense gun-missile system mounted on Dongfeng Mengshi 6×6 wheeled chassis. The Aramanets consist of a 35mm single-barrel autocannon and two launchers for FB-10A. The sensor suite onboard includes an electro-optical turret and a phased-array radar. This vehicle is in service with PLAGF's light combined arms brigades.[6]
- SWS2/LD35
- Air defense vehicle SHORAD gun/missile system based on the VN-1 chassis. Before 2024, it featured a 35 mm cannon and four TY-90 surface-to-air missiles.[9][10] In 2024, the SWS2 air defense system was updated to use an unmodified VN-1 chassis with a remotely-controlled turret. The turret has the same 35 mm cannon, but the missiles are replaced with six FB-10A.[10][11]
- Type 625E
- Air defense vehicle with a 6-barrel 25 mm Gatling gun and eight FB-10A or FN-16 short-range missiles, mounted on an off-road capable 8x8 truck chassis.[12][13]
Variants
[edit]- FB-10
- original variant first displayed in 2016 in a 6x6 truck chassis.
- FB-10A
- Lightweight variant for improved air mobility, first displayed in 2021 on a new 6x6 Dongfeng Menshi chassis.[14]
- HQ-13
- Domestic version of the FB-10A missile.
Operators
[edit]
- Rapid Support Forces: FB-10A transferred from Chad.[15]
- Chadian National Army: FB-10A purchased and provided by United Arab Emirates[15]
Specifications (FB-10A)
[edit]Reference[16]
- launch mode: Oblique servo hot launch
- guidance: Radio command + imaging infrared (IIR) homing seeker[6]
- minimum range: 1 km (0.62 mi)
- maximum range: 17 km (11 mi)
- minimum altitude: 20 m (66 ft)
- maximum altitude: 7,500 m (24,600 ft)
- single-shot kill probability: >80% against aircraft targets; >70% against missile targets
- radar range: 50 km
- radar azimuth: 0º - 360º
- radar elevation: 0º - 45º
- engagement on the move: Yes
See also
[edit]References
[edit]- ^ a b "FB Series". Shanghai Academy of Spaceflight Technology.
- ^ a b "红旗13导弹首次曝光！一车八弹性能强悍，曾在北非击落土耳其战机". NatEase News. 26 October 2025.
- ^ a b "红旗-13导弹曝光：将成轻型机械化旅标配？ 提高我军野战防空能力". NatEase News. 26 October 2025.
- ^ "China pushes SAM [INDODEF16-D3] | Jane's 360". janes.com. Retrieved 2018-11-10.
- ^ "中国"野兽"防空系统亮相，火力与机动完美结合，逆袭近程防空". Tencent News. 2 December 2022.
- ^ a b c "China equips light brigades with SWS3 air defense systems to counter drones during reconnaissance missions". armyrecognition. 28 May 2025.
- ^ "性能最强！央视首次曝光红旗-13，刚在苏丹实战击落战机". Sina News. 26 October 2025.
- ^ "China unveils FB-10A short-range air defense missile system". armyrecognition. 27 December 2021.
- ^ Foss, Christopher F. (6 July 2016). "China develops SWS2 mobile air-defence system". janes.com. Archived from the original on 6 July 2016. Retrieved 11 November 2018.
- ^ a b "这是执念深重啊！单管35毫米转膛高射炮再升级！换底盘，改炮塔，防空导弹数量加倍". xinghuozhiku. 6 November 2024.
- ^ "China offers new SWS2 35mm air defense system as cost-effective alternative to Russia's Pantsir S1". armyrecognition. 5 November 2024.
- ^ Helfrich, Emma (18 November 2022). "This Is China's Beastly New Air Defense Vehicle". The Drive.
- ^ "China tests Type 625E short-range air defense system to challenge Russian Pantsir systems". armyrecognition. 3 June 2024.
- ^ "China unveils new LY-70 mobile short/medium-range air defense missile system".
- ^ a b Sato, Daisuke (25 October 2025). "China fields new short-range air defense system". Defense Blog.
- ^ "FB-10A". CN defense.