DSA 2016: China details new sub-launched ASCM and old LCU
China revealed a new submarine launched anti-ship cruise missile (ASCM) at the Defense Services Asia (DSA) 2016 exhibition and provided details for an older landing craft utility (LCU) now being promoted for export.
Products of the China Aerospace Science and Industry Corporation (CASIC), the new turbojet powered 290 km range CM-708UNB submarine-launched ASCM compliments the 128 km range CM-708UNA revealed at the 2014 Zhuhai Airshow.
While the CM-708UNA is likely derived from the YJ-82 (C-802) ASCM, the longer range CM-708UNB is likely derived from a longer range version of the YJ-82 or YJ-83 (C-803) ASCMs.
A 1,200 kg 'torpedo' carrier launches the 5.05 m and 700 kg missile, which has a speed of Ma .08 to Ma .09 and uses integrated INS/Satellite and millimeter wave radar for guidance. It is armed with a 155 kg warhead and in its terminal phase flies 5-7 m above the water.
Also detailed for the first time was the 693 ton and 63 meter long, LC63, the export designation for the Type 074A Yubei catamaran small amphibious landing craft. This ship first emerged in open images on Chinese web pages early in the last decade, but Chinese sources suggest it may have entered service as early as 1995.
A Chinese official at DSA 2016 told
IHS Jane's that the LC63 had been sold to a "friendly country" outside of Asia.
It is capable of operations in up to Sea State 5, has a range of 500 nm at 14 kt or an endurance of five days and uses a side exhaust system to help conceal its infrared signature. It is armed with two 14.5 mm machine guns.
The LC63 can carry up to 250 tons of cargo, which could include 3 Type 96 main battle tanks, 6 Type 63 amphibious tanks or up to 250 "heavily armed soldiers."