PLA set to adopt new tactical missile system

China’s People’s Liberation Army (PLA) is expected to adopt a land-based, mobile missile system capable of firing Poly Defence’s CM-501GA precision-guided missile and CM-501XA loitering munition, a company source told Janes at the Abu Dhabi 2019 International Defence Exhibition & Conference (IDEX 2019).

At IDEX 2019 Poly Defence showcased a 6×6 tactical missile system that is set to be adopted by the Chinese military, according to a company official. (IHS Markit/Patrick Allen)

According to the source, the system will be introduced into the Chinese military in two configurations: on a 6×6 armoured personnel carrier, and on the CSK181 series of mine-resistant ambush protected (MRAP) vehicles.

In the latter configuration the system features with a 12-cell, box-like launch unit that enables the hot-firing of both missile types. The missiles housed within the launcher can be in various numeric combinations, thus giving the system target type flexibility.

The 2 m-long CM-501GA is a non-line-of-sight (NLOS) missile capable of engaging both stationary and moving targets at a distance between 5 and 40 km. The missile, which has a diameter of 180 mm and weighs over 100 kg, carries a 20 kg, high-explosive (HE) blast fragmentation warhead. Its propulsion system is believed to be based on a solid-propellant rocket motor.

The missile uses a combined TV/imaging infrared (IIR) seeker for terminal guidance. It is presumed some form of inertial navigation system (INS), or INS aided by a global navigation satellite system (GNSS), is used for the non-terminal guidance phases. The manufacturer claims the missile has a circular error of probability (CEP) of less than 1 m when striking stationary targets, and a hit probability of more than 90% when striking moving ones.