Threat of the Week
The HQ-16 is a Chinese-made, medium range, surface-to-air missile system produced by China Aerospace Science and Technology Corp (CASC) introduced in September 2011. Intermittent illumination,
semi-active radar homing guidance, phased array radar, vertical cold launch, and a radio communication network, allow the HQ-16 to be operated in a strong electro-magnetic interference environment and in all weather conditions.
The mid-range HQ-16 fills the gap between the HQ-7 short-range SAM and the HQ-9 long-range SAM systems. The export version is the LY-80 and is in service with Pakistan.
Max range: 40km (*HQ-16B ver: 70km)
Max intercept altitude: 10,000m
Min intercept altitude: 100m (*HHQ-16 ver: 10m)
The battalion of the HQ-16 consists of twelve launcher vehicles (four in each battery), a command and control vehicle,
three tracking and guidance radar vehicles (one in each battery), a target searching radar vehicle, and several missile transport and reloading vehicles, and power supply vehicles, most using the same 6 x 6 chassis.
HHQ-16 (Red Sea 16) is the naval variant installed on China’s Type 054A JIANGKAI II-class frigates. The missile can reportedly intercept sea-skimming missiles flying less than 30 ft (10 m) above the surface of the ocean.
Aboard the JIANGKAI II-class frigates, a single, 32-cell vertical launch system carries the missiles. Guidance is provided by four MR090 Front Dome C/X-band fire-control radars.
