Re: PLAAF precision guided munitions
For general reference, this is global-security's data on the status of American Smart Weapons
this is an article on the PGMs shown in Zhuhai airshow
I will try to translate it later
it's an interview with a PGM expert from Luoyang. Luoyang produces LS-6 and LT-2
basically saying LT-2 and LS-6 were shown in Zhuhai 2006. This is the first time China has shown its indigenous PGMs to the world. So, the interview.
Q: LS-6 and LT-2 grabbed a lot of attention, but what's the point of Luoyang developing these weapons?
A: PGMs are the most important weapon in ground attack these days, precision striking power is shown in battle, using PGM could be an evolution in warfare. PLAAF needs it for its operations, so we developed these 2 types.
Q: can you explain LS-6 glide bomb?
A: LS-6 glide bomb is a weapon that can used outside of the effective air defense area of the enemy and can do precision attack on ground targets
Q: You talk about LS-6 as a standoff weapon, what is its range?
A: launched from 8000 m, it's 48 km. Launched from 11000 m, it's 60 km.
Q: What is the range of LT-2?
A: Can't comment on it.
Q: LT-2 and LS-6's appearance definitely filled a blank for our country, but America is definitely the leader in PGM, can you compare LS-6 to the weapons in service in America?
A: There are two types: One are the JSSAM, these are the ones with motor. And then there are JDAM, these just have the bomb. LS-6 should be compared to JDAM, because both are just bombs. Early JDAM are not standoff, since they only have about a 20 km range, but recently improved JDAM raised the range to 70 km. So as you can see, we started later, but set our bar higher, so LS-6 is basically like a improved JDAM.
Q: I heard America worked with developers of (a European munition company) to improve the range of JDAM. LS-6 looks kind of like their munition, any relations?
A: LS-6 is developed solely by Luoyang, we did this in 3 years.
Q: The most important part is the accuracy, what is it?
A: It's only 15 m CEP for LS-6.
Q: Is this the spec or tested value?
A: It's the tested result.
Q: What about LT-2? What is it's CEP?
A: This I can reveal (note: sinodefense suspect it's 6.5 m)
According to huitong, domestic version is LS-500J and the CEP is less than 6.5 m.
Q: JDAM's original spec was 13 m CEP, but it actually achieved 10 m. So, there is still a gap.
A: Yes, but the gap is small and we are consistently trying to improve on it.
Q: What is the guidanced used for LS-6?
A: It uses GPS + INS. It has terminal correction. This guarantees the accuracy of LS-6, it's an all weather, all condition munition.
Q: What if Americans don't allow us to use GPS?
A: It can use GLONASS or Beidou. This is up to the customer.
Q: What is the guidance of LT-2?
A:It uses semi-active laser guidance, needs laser designator to illuminate the target.
Q: Is there weather restrictions?
A: Yes, rain and mist would affect the performance of LT-2.
Q: What is the warhead of LS-6?
A: It uses a regular 500 kg bomb, just put wing on top of it and add guidance system.
Q: So, this is modular?
A: yes, that's part of the design.
Q: What about LT-2?
A: LT-2 is basically changing existing bomb, it uses a 500 kg bomb.
Q: Is there any other uses for the wings of LS-6?
A: yes, gives it more even flight performance.
Q: So you are saying the wing can change flight performance?
A: yes and with some explanation here.
Q: can't translate this, need better Chinese
A: see above
Q: is there any restriction toward the flight speed and stability of aircraft?
A: Can't comment
Q: Does LT-2 and LS-6 have the ability to penetrate bunkers?
A: No, they are just using regular bombs so far
Q: Is there such modification planned?
A: yes, there will be according to future requirements
Q: whether it's JSSAM or JDAM, they are already have series of this. There are different weight classes. Are there such plans for LS?
A: Of course, the air force has different bomb classes. In future LS can develop into a family.
Q: What's the progress of LS-6 and LT-2?
A: LT-2 is already equipped the air force and LS-6 is certified, just needs a little more testing.
Q: Is there any requirements to launching platform?
A: Not really.
Q: I saw a picture of J-8IIM with LS-6. Is J-8IIM the main launch platform?
A: This, I'm not too sure about.
Q: So, are you trying to equip plaaf first?
A: yes, our air force gave us this requirement, so it's our responsibility to do this.
Q: just some thanks
A: appreciate it
Now, regarding FT series.
Q: What does FT stand for?
A: explains in Chinese.
Q: we saw FT-1 and FT-3, where is FT-2?
A: FT-1 is certified, FT-3 hasn't been certified, FT-2 has this project, it's a future development.
Q: What's the performance of FT-1?
A: range of 18 km and CEP of 30 m.
Q: why is it so much inferior to the accuracy of LS-6?
A: I'm not part of their company. They are probably just been more conservative and in test, the accuracy is probably higher.
Q: So there is competition between you guys?
A: yes, but this is good competition, our advantage is that our cost is low and performance/cost ratio is high
Q: FT-1's appearance is extremely similar to JDAM, did they use JDAM for reference?
A: FT series is also developed indigenously, exterior is similar, but nothing too surprising.
Q: The aerodynamic appearance of FT-1 and FT-3 is extremely different. FT-3 looks like something that can have a motor in the future.
A: yes, as I said, FT-3 is still not certified, it's external appearance may be changed. You can always add motor and get longer range, but the more complex a bomb, the cost will obviously go up.
Q: Is there any plan to equip plaaf or export for FT-1?
A: has plans for export, hasn't entered service yet.
