Missile HQ-61

The HQ-61 is the initial production model of the HQ-6 family of air defense missiles. It is a derivative of the PL-11 air-to-air missile, which was developed based on the Italian Aspide, a system itself derived from the American AIM-7 Sparrow. Development of specialized variants, such as the YJ-5 anti-radiation missile, began in 1980 with prototypes completed in 1984.

The system utilizes semi-active radar homing for guidance and is powered by a solid-fuel rocket motor. The warhead is equipped with both impact and proximity detonation mechanisms. The land-based configuration consists of six transporter erector launchers, a search and surveillance radar, three tracking and fire control radars, and a power supply vehicle. Unlike later versions that use container launchers, the HQ-61 employs missile launching rails, with two rails per truck-mounted launcher. The missile achieves a speed of Mach 3 and a maximum maneuvering overload of 35G. An export variant, the LY-60, incorporates a microprocessor-based artificial interference system to increase anti-jamming capabilities. The LY-60 search radar can track up to 40 targets simultaneously, while its tracking radar can engage three targets.

The HQ-61 was deployed by the People’s Liberation Army Navy on Type 053H2G Jiangwei I frigates. Four of these vessels, commissioned between 1988 and 1991, utilized the system before it was replaced by the HQ-7. An anti-radiation variant, the YJ-5, underwent test-firing from H-5 bombers but did not enter serial production due to performance limitations against phased array radars. The system has been exported to several countries, including Ethiopia, Morocco, and Sudan. Pakistan is a former operator of the system.