Fire snake (rocket)
The Fire Snake (Chinese: 火蛇) is a series of rocket projectiles and rocket pods manufactured by the Chinese defense company Norinco.
Description
[edit]The Fire Snake series includes two variants, FS70A and FS90A. The FS70A guided rocket is also known as the GR-5 guided rocket. The rocket can be fitted inside the FS70 rocket pod in an inverted trapezoid shape.[1][2][3][4][5][6] The FS90A guided rocket, also known as the BRM-1,[7] can be fitted inside the circular 7-tube 90 mm (3.543 in) rocket pod.[1][8]
The Fire Snake rocket was initially advertised by Norinco at the 2021 Zhuhai Airshow. However, their appearance in the Chinese military can be traced back years prior, to the Tianjian (Chinese: 天箭; pinyin: tiān jiàn; lit. 'Sky Arrow') 90 mm (3.5 in) guided rocket produced by Harbin Jiancheng Group,[7][9] which debuted on Zhuhai Airshow in 2012.[10] The Tianjian 90 rocket has the provision for laser-guided seekers and recieved designation BRM-1.[11]
The 90 mm (3.543 in) Fire Snake 90A (BRM-1) weighs 16.8–25 kg (37–55 lb), has a warhead of 4.8–5.6 kg (11–12 lb) with 1.3 kg (2.9 lb) TH50-50 high explosives. The range of the rocket is 8 km (4.3 nmi), and it uses semi-active radar guidance. The weapon can be fired in a salvo of 7 on the HF-7 launcher or a salvo of 20 on the HF-20 launcher.[11][12] The 70 mm (2.756 in) Fire Snake 70A (GR-5) weighs 12.5 kg (28 lb) and has a range of 6 km (3.2 nmi).[8] Both guided rockets feature inertial navigation system,[1] with the FS90A having a sensor supporting terminal semi-active laser guidance.[7][11]
Variants
[edit]- FS70A
- 70 mm (2.756 in) guided rocket with inertial navigation system. Can be fitted in FS70 rocket pod.
- FS90A
- 90 mm (3.543 in) guided rocket with inertial navigation system and semi-active laser guidance. Can be fitted in the HF7 and HF20 rocket pod.
References
[edit]- ^ a b c "甘若水：「霹靂火」配「火蛇」制導火箭彈精確獵殺". Think Hong Kong. 25 July 2023.
- ^ "小飞棍来咯！直10装备"火蛇"新型制导火箭，多出14枚小导弹". NatEase News. 20 June 2023.
- ^ "PLA arming Z-10 with new rocket pods". Janes. 8 November 2023. Archived from the original on 20 July 2024.
- ^ Chavez, Leilani (20 February 2024). "China unveils export version of attack helicopter". Defense News.
- ^ Trimble, Steve (18 February 2024). "Singapore Hosts Foreign Debut For China's Latest Attack Helicopter". Aviation Week.
- ^ Trimble, Steve (21 February 2024). "Video: International Debut For China's Z-10ME At Singapore Airshow 2024". Aviation Week.
- ^ a b c "打火箭弹很落后吗？中国空射制导火箭弹，廉价如白菜，威力赛导弹". Tencent News. 6 October 2021.
- ^ a b 馬浩亮 (9 July 2023). "直10火蛇奪島 攻碉堡獵戰車" (PDF). Ta Kung Pao.
- ^ "制导火箭弹：直-10武装直升机的新"点穴利器"". Xinhua. 21 June 2023.
- ^ "中国布撒武器首次曝光 最重激光制导炸弹亮相". China News Service. 14 November 2012.
- ^ a b c "火箭弹告别洗地，也玩激光制导，讲讲BRM-1型精确制导90mm火箭弹". Tencent News. 6 March 2021.
- ^ Lin, Jeffrey; Singer, P.W. (17 November 2014). "The Missiles Of Zhuhai: China Displays New Strike Arsenal". Popular Science.