FL-7
In this article, we will explore the topic of FL-7 in depth, analyzing its relevance in today's society and its impact on different aspects of our lives. From its origin and evolution to its influence on popular culture, through its involvement in the way we relate to the world around us. We will also examine expert opinions and the various perspectives that exist around FL-7, with the aim of providing a global and complete vision of this broad and complex topic. Along these lines, we will delve into a deep reflection that will help us better understand the importance of FL-7 in the current context.
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| FL-7 | |
|---|---|
| Type | anti-ship, and air-to-surface missiles |
| Place of origin | China |
| Service history | |
| In service | late 1980s–present |
| Used by | China |
| Production history | |
| Manufacturer | Hongdu Aviation Industry Corporation |
| Produced | 1980s–1990s |
| Specifications | |
| Mass | 1.77 ton |
| Length | 6.59 meter |
| Diameter | 0.54 meter |
| Wingspan | 1.86 meter |
| Warhead | 360 kg warhead |
Detonation mechanism | Semi-armor-piercing |
| Engine | rocket motor |
| Propellant | liquid fuel |
Operational range | 32 km |
| Flight altitude | 5 to 50 cruising |
| Maximum speed | Mach 1.4 |
Guidance system | ARH |
Launch platform | Air & ground |
The FL-7 (Chinese: 飞龙-7) is the export version of the SY-2 missile, specifically the liquid propellant prototype of SY-2. The export variant of the solid propellant SY-2 is known as the FL-2.[1]
Development
In addition to developing the C-101 and C-301 supersonic anti-ship missiles which are fairly large in size, China has developed FL-7 (FL: Fei Long, meaning Flying Dragon) supersonic anti-ship missile which can be carried on airplanes and warships. The Feilong-7 has an effective range of 32 kilometers and a speed of Mach 1.4. It has powerful anti-jamming capability and its supersonic flight makes terminal interception difficult. The warhead of the FL-7 can pierce solid armor and destroy large and medium-sized surface warships. This missile can be roughly considered as the supersonic counterpart of the subsonic C-704 anti-ship missile. The missile is powered by a liquid fuel rocket motor and a solid rocket booster, which is under the airframe at the rear.
Along with C-101, FL-7 competed for the air-launched supersonic anti-ship missile program in China during the 1990s. However, C-101 was selected because it flies at faster speed and its range is nearly a third greater than that of FL-7, while it only weighs slightly heavier. Being the last Chinese anti-ship missile with rocket motor powered by liquid fuel, the role of FL-7 is decreasing, but not yet immediately phased out. The reason is that the Chinese coastal defense doctrine when using anti-ship missiles: multi-direction, multi-altitude, multiple waves attacks on targets with both supersonic and subsonic anti-ship missiles to make it difficult for the targets to defend itself from such saturated attacks, FL-7 is thus still have a little role to play in such saturated attacks at shorter range. However, it is safe to conclude that as newer missiles becoming widely available, the role of FL-7 would continuously decrease to its eventual retirement.
Western sources have claimed in 1996, with Chinese help in the forms of technology sales, that Iran had begun indigenous production of a medium-range anti-ship missile, based on the technologies of FL-7.
- Length: 6.59 m
- Diameter: 0.54 m
- Weight: 1,770 kg
- Wingspan: 1.86 m
- Warhead: 360 kg
- Speed: > Mach 1.4
- Range: 32 km max.
- Guidance: active radar homing seeker (Other types of seekers being developed)
- Propulsion: one liquid rocket engine with a solid rocket booster
References
- ^ "从第一枚国产超音速舰舰导弹到威震台海的"续命弹"". Sina News (in Chinese). 27 November 2020.
- FL-7 Archived 2016-08-28 at the Wayback Machine
- FL(Feilong-7)