F 22 fighter may have become the target of Chinese HQ 9 missile

China military: HQ-9 is the first modern high-performance long-range air defense missile system developed by Chinese defense industry. It's range is 100 km, and more about 10 km than basic model of Russian-made S-300P but less than the improved version of S-300PM. However, there is news that the HQ-9 has a maximum range of up to 200 km. Although the parameter of system is more excellent in a range, but its minimum reach is only 500 meters high, which led to the capability of its carrier-based version to intercept sea-skimming anti-ship missile is so weak. In the photos published by Chinese media, we found the operators of HQ-9 had placed the photos of U.S. A-10 attack aircraft and F 22 fighter in the operational command module - they may be just the targets of HQ 9 missiles.

HQ-9 launcher is composed of four launch boxes saved with air defense missile, the shape of the device is very similar to the 5P85 launch system that S-300P equipped with. In radar systems, The NT-233 phased array radar HQ-9 is equipped with uses the wheeled chassis similar to S-300PMU. Perhaps, The radar can simultaneously strike multiple targets.

China's new air defense missile FD-2000 (also known as the HQ-9) picture, posted on Defense Exhibition in Abu Dhabi.

China's new air defense missile FD-2000 (also known as the HQ-9) launch vehicle

China's new air defense missile FD-2000 (also known as the HQ-9) of the guidance radar vehicle

The more similarities between HQ-9 and S-300PMU may be the result that China used Reverse Engineering to process S-300PMU. China had been a lack of the experience in modern high-performance long-range air defense missile system, so HQ-9 missile is likely to be S-300PMU imitation or at least used the latter design. 

Chinese HQ-9 medium-long-range air defense missiles 

In addition, HQ-9 system uses NT-233 radar system with the U.S. "Patriot" system AN/MPQ-53 radar there are also many similarities. If China is really the integration of this new Russian-US air defense systems and advanced technological achievements, it would be a powerful defensive weapon.

HQ 9 air defense missile vertical launching

In addition to a variety of aircraft, interceptors, HQ-9 can also block a range of 7-15 km 7-25 km range cruise missiles and ballistic missiles. According to Chinese introduction, HQ-9 can simultaneously track 48 targets.

Some foreign experts believe that China's HQ-9 has been in some of the parameters with the export-oriented S-300 to compete. Among them, the low price of the HQ-9 is a big advantage. In addition, the Chinese workers also claimed that, after improved, HQ-9 will be able to surpass the performance of Russian-made S-300. Of course, this statement is the Chinese people is questionable. However, China actively promote to the international market, HQ-9's move shows that the designer of the system has been successful customer service some of the original defect.