The QW-2 (NATO reporting name: CH-SA-8) is a Chinese man-portable infrared homing surface-to-air missile (SAM) MANPADS. The system has improved performance against targets flying faster and at lower-altitude than the QW-1.
History and development
The QW-1 is the first missile in the QW missile series, first revealed at the 1994 Farnborough International Airshow and showcased again on the Zhuhai Airshow in 1996. The QW-1 was considered a typical "second-generation" MANDPADS on the market, roughly equivalent to the early versions of the FIM-92 Stinger. In the 1990s, Chinese engineers planned to upgrade the QW-1. QW-2 is the third-generation improvement based on QW-1. The QW-2 was unveiled at the 1998 Zhuhai Airshow. Unlike QW-1, the QW-2 featured a new infrared filter and the true all-aspect targeting capability. It also featured a longer slant range, a lower minimal engagement altitude, and improved counter-countermeasure capability. A distinct difference of the QW-2 when compared with the previous generation missile is the drag-reducing aerospike in front of the missile seeker. CASIC claimed the QW-2 has equal or better performance than the FIM-92 Stinger and Mistral missiles. In 2014, the CASIC revealed QW-12, an upgarde to QW-2.
Variants
QW-2 Development of the QW-1. QW-12 It uses a laser proximity detonator. Unveiled in November 2014. Anza Mk III Pakistani copy of QW-2.
Operators
Bangladesh Bangladesh Army China People's Liberation Army Turkmenistan
Specifications
== See also == QW missile 9K38 Igla FN-6 Mistral FIM-92B