QW-2 Vanguard 2
The QW-2 Vanguard 2 is a Chinese all-aspect man-portable infrared homing guided surface-to-air missile. It is not clear when the missile first entered service, but it is likely to have been between 1998 and 2002.[2]
Qian Wei (Vanguard) 2 | |
---|---|
QW-2 of Bangladesh Army | |
Type | MANPADS |
Place of origin | China |
Service history | |
In service | 1990s to present |
Used by | See Users |
Production history | |
Produced | Since mid-1990s |
Specifications | |
Mass | 11.32 kg, 18 kg with launcher |
Length | 1.59 meter |
Detonation mechanism | Impact & Proximity |
Engine | rocket |
Propellant | solid rocket |
Operational range | 6 km maximum |
Flight ceiling | 4 km[1] |
Flight altitude | 10 meter minimum |
Maximum speed | > 600 m/s |
Guidance system | Infrared homing |
Launch platform | MANPADS, Type 95 SPAAA |
The QianWei 2 (or Vanguard 2, its export name) is the third-generation shoulder-launched, all-aspect IR-homing, 'fire-and-forget' surface-to-air missile developed by Shenyang-based CASIC 119 Factory (Shenyang Hangtian Xinle Ltd). The QW-2 was first revealed during the 1998 Farnborough Airshow. The missile and launcher of the QW-2 bear strong resemblance to those of the Russian 9K310 Igla-1, and the two missile systems are believed to be comparable in performance.[3]
Description
QW-2 is a development of the QW-1 Vanguard series, and is considered by many domestic Chinese media sources as the Chinese equivalent of FIM-92E Stinger.
Compared to the QianWei 1, the minimum operating altitude of the QianWei 2 has been reduced from 30m to 10m; the operating range has been increased from 5 km to 6 km; and the missile’s reaction time has been reduced to below 5 seconds. The QianWei 2 features a newly developed dual-band passive IR seeker with strong resistance to heat flares dispensed by the target and solar/ground heat, thus improving the missile’s performance in day/night, all-weather conditions.[3]
Users
- Bangladesh
- Bangladesh Army: Between 2004 and 2007, the Bangladesh Army procured a shipment of 250 QW-2 missiles, presumably with an undisclosed number of gripstocks as well.[4]
- Turkmenistan
- Turkmen Ground Forces: Revealed in January 2018 to be with the Turkmen Army.[5][6]
See also
References
- "Unmanned reconnaissance aircraft, and cruise missiles" flying at an altitude between 10 m and 4,000 m and at a range between 500 m and 6,000 m." Retrieved July 21, 2019.
- http://www.dfait-maeci.gc.ca/arms/Trends/section24-en.asp
- "QianWei 2 Shoulder-Fired Air Defence Missile - SinoDefence.com". Archived from the original on March 6, 2009. Retrieved July 21, 2019.
- Dr. Michael Ashkenazi,Princess Mawuena Amuzu, Jan Grebe,Christof Kögler and Marc Kösling (February 2013). brief 47 (PDF) (Report). Bonn International Center for Conversion. p. 159. ISSN 0947-7322. Retrieved 8 September 2019.
MANPADS A Terrorist Threat to Civilian Aviation?
CS1 maint: uses authors parameter (link) - "New Chinese-built MANPADS has entered service with Turkmenistan Army". January 16, 2018. Retrieved July 21, 2019.
- https://www.armyrecognition.com/january_2018_global_defense_security_army_news_industry/chinese_qw-2_manpads_missile_in_service_with_turkmenistan_army.html