C-801
The YJ-8 (Chinese: 鹰击-8; pinyin: yingji-8; lit. 'eagle strike 8'; NATO reporting name: CSS-N-4 Sardine) is a Chinese surface-launched subsonic anti-ship cruise missile. It is manufactured by the China Aerospace Science and Industry Corporation (CASIC) Third Academy.[3]
| YJ-8/C-802 | |
|---|---|
 YJ-8A Missile | |
| Type | Anti-ship missiles |
| Place of origin | China |
| Service history | |
| In service | early 1990s to present |
| Used by | China |
| Wars | Yemeni Civil War (2015–present) Saudi Arabian-led intervention in Yemen[1] |
| Production history | |
| Manufacturer | China Aerospace Science and Industry Corporation |
| Unit cost | US$ 0.78 million[2] |
| Produced | Late 1980s to present (export) |
| Specifications | |
| Mass | 815 kg |
| Length | 5.81 meter |
| Warhead | 165 kg |
| Engine | rocket |
| Propellant | solid rocket |
Operational range | 42 km |
| Flight altitude | 5 or 7 m |
| Maximum speed | ≈ Mach 0.9 |
Guidance system | Inertial navigation/active radar homing terminal guidance |
Launch platform | Aerial, naval and land-based |
The YJ-8 was developed into air-launched (YJ-81) and submarine-launched (YJ-82) variants.[3]
Description
The YJ-8 is either based on, or is a heavily modified copy of, the MM38 Exocet; the two missiles share virtually identical operational profiles. The replication of the MM38's "revolutionary flight profile" in less than ten years and with an immature industrial base strongly suggests that China had access to proven technology.[4]
The YJ-8 was a "radical departure" from China's first anti-ship missiles derived from the P-15 Termit. The YJ-8 carried a smaller warhead, but had the same range and speed while being significantly smaller and lighter.[4]
Development
The development of the YJ-8 was approved in late-1976 following a few years of encouraging work on solid-fuel rockets. According to a 1991 Aerospace China article, development of the missile's engine began in 1978, and flight testing was completed in 1985. The YJ-8 reach initial operating capability in the People's Liberation Army Navy in 1987, the same year the export version—the C-801—was announced.[4]
CASIC received the first National Science and Technology Advancement Award for development of the YJ-8 in 1988.[5]
Variants
References
- Binnie, Jeremy (9 November 2017). "Yemeni rebels unveil anti-ship missiles". Jane's 360. Archived from the original on 13 August 2018. Retrieved 12 August 2018.
- Friedman, Norman (1997). The Naval Institute Guide to World Naval Weapons Systems, 1997–1998. Naval Institute Press. ISBN 9781557502681. Retrieved 8 October 2015.
- Gromley et al.: page 101
- Carlson, Christopher P. (4 February 2013). "China's Eagle Strike-Eight Anti-Ship Cruise Missiles: Designation Confusion and the Family Members from YJ-8 to YJ-8A". DefenseMediaNetwork. Retrieved 12 August 2018.
- Zhao, Lei (10 January 2018). "Anti-ship cruise missile wins award". DefenseMediaNetwork. Retrieved 12 August 2018.
- Carlson, Christopher P. (6 February 2013). "China's Eagle Strike-Eight Anti-Ship Cruise Missiles, Part 2". DefenseMediaNetwork. Retrieved 12 August 2018.
- "SIPRI Trade Register". Stockholm International Peace Research Institute.
- Bibliography
- Gormley, Dennis M.; Erickson, Andrew S.; Yuan, Jingdong (30 September 2014). "A Potent Vector: Assessing Chinese Cruise Missile Developments". Joint Forces Quarterly. National Defense University (75). Retrieved 8 May 2015.