PLA Anti-Air Missile (SAM) systems
- Thread starter FORBIN
- Start date
For some reason, some images on the PDF taken from Chinese media are in a jpg file that cannot be uploaded on this forums, with other forums. I have to do a roundabout way of posting the image. This is posted by LKJ86 at the CDF, Via @中部战区发布 from Weibo.
This appears to be the HQ-9B's engagement radar, and this is different from the previous model.
This was a picture back in 2018 posted by pir3cd at the CDF for comparison.
This appears to be the HQ-9B's engagement radar, and this is different from the previous model.
This was a picture back in 2018 posted by pir3cd at the CDF for comparison.
antiterror13
Brigadier
Older array is a spaced feed PESA.
You can see this hooded thing in the back that is the optic or horn feed that projects the signal to the back of the array. The array itself acts like a focusing lens.
The newer array does not have this feed. Which means its most likely an AESA at this point.
Chinese copy of 64N6 "Big Bird" Radar probably intended to support HQ-9 sites
I don't think this is a copy. I think its the 64N6 Big Bird itself. The PLA should have a few of them around from previous purchases.
antiterror13
Brigadier
Thanks, you have very sharp eyes
As a note, spaced feed PESA is a design that is common if not standard with SAM engagement radars. This include the MPQ-53 radar for the Patriot, the Tombstone and Flaplid radars for the S-300 system, the engagement radar for the HQ-16. Only recently are these missile families transitioning to AESA radars. The 'Big Bird' radar on the previous page is a spaced feed PESA that works on a reflecting principle rather than refracting.