YJ-8
{{Other uses|C801 (disambiguation)}}
{{Infobox weapon
|is_missile=yes
|name=YJ-8
|image=YJ-8 Missile 20220203.jpg
|caption=YJ-8A Missile
|origin=China
|type=Anti-ship missiles
|used_by=China
|manufacturer=China Aerospace Science and Industry Corporation
|wars=Yemeni Civil War (2015–present)
Saudi Arabian-led intervention in Yemen
|propellant=solid rocket
|production_date=Late 1980s to present (export)
|service=early 1990s to present
|engine=rocket
|engine_power=
|weight=815 kg
|length=5.81 meter
|height=
|diameter=
|wingspan=
|speed=≈ Mach 0.9
|vehicle_range=42 km
|ceiling=
|altitude= 5 or 7 m
|filling=165 kg
|guidance=Inertial navigation/active radar homing terminal guidance
|detonation=
|launch_platform=Aerial, naval and land-based
}}
The YJ-8 ({{zh|c=鹰击-8|p=yingji-8|l=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.Gromley et al.: page 101
The YJ-8 was developed into air-launched (YJ-81) and submarine-launched (YJ-82) variants.
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.{{cite web |url=https://www.defensemedianetwork.com/stories/chinas-eagle-strike-eight-anti-ship-cruise-missiles-designation-confusion-and-the-family-members-from-yj-8-to-yj-8a/ |title=China's Eagle Strike-Eight Anti-Ship Cruise Missiles: Designation Confusion and the Family Members from YJ-8 to YJ-8A |last1=Carlson |first1= Christopher P. |date=4 February 2013 |website=DefenseMediaNetwork |access-date=12 August 2018}}
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.
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.
CASIC received the first National Science and Technology Advancement Award for development of the YJ-8 in 1988.{{cite web |url=http://www.chinadaily.com.cn/a/201801/10/WS5a556a83a3102e5b17371c1d.html |title=Anti-ship cruise missile wins award |last1=Zhao |first1=Lei |date=10 January 2018 |website=DefenseMediaNetwork |access-date=12 August 2018}}
C-801
Variants
- YJ-8: Basic version with fixed wings
- YJ-8A: Modified YJ-8 with folding wings.
- YJ-81: Air-launched YJ-8 without the booster.{{cite web |url=http://www.defensemedianetwork.com/stories/chinas-eagle-strike-eight-anti-ship-cruise-missiles-yj-81-yj-82-and-c802/ |title=China's Eagle Strike-Eight Anti-Ship Cruise Missiles, Part 2 |last1=Carlson |first1= Christopher P. |date=6 February 2013 |website=DefenseMediaNetwork |access-date=12 August 2018}} Often erroneously referred as YJ-8K.{{cite web|url=https://www.defensemedianetwork.com/stories/chinas-eagle-strike-eight-anti-ship-cruise-missiles-yj-81-yj-82-and-c802/ |title=China’s Eagle Strike-Eight Anti-Ship Cruise Missiles: YJ-81, YJ-82, and C802 |website=Defense Media Network |date=6 February 2013 |first=Christopher |last=P. Carlson }}
- YJ-82: Submarine-launched version.
- C-801: Export version of YJ-8.
- C-801K: Export version of the YJ-81.
Operators
;{{flag|Iran}}
;{{flag|Myanmar}}
- Myanmar Navy, C801{{cite web|url=http://armstrade.sipri.org/armstrade/page/trade_register.php|title=SIPRI Trade Register|publisher=Stockholm International Peace Research Institute}}
;{{PRC}}
;{{flag|Thailand}}
- Royal Thai Navy, C-801
;{{YEM}}
- Yemeni Navy, C-801{{cite web |url=https://www.janes.com/article/75566/yemeni-rebels-unveil-anti-ship-missiles |title=Yemeni rebels unveil anti-ship missiles |last1=Binnie |first1=Jeremy |date=9 November 2017 |website=Jane's 360 |access-date=12 August 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180813005520/https://www.janes.com/article/75566/yemeni-rebels-unveil-anti-ship-missiles |archive-date=13 August 2018 |url-status=dead }}
References
{{reflist|2}}
;Bibliography
{{Refbegin}}
- {{cite journal |last1=Gormley |first1=Dennis M. |last2=Erickson |first2=Andrew S. |last3=Yuan |first3=Jingdong |date=30 September 2014 |title=A Potent Vector: Assessing Chinese Cruise Missile Developments |url=http://ndupress.ndu.edu/Media/News/NewsArticleView/tabid/7849/Article/577568/jfq-75-a-potent-vector-assessing-chinese-cruise-missile-developments.aspx |journal=Joint Forces Quarterly |publisher=National Defense University |issue=75 |access-date=8 May 2015}}
{{Refend}}
{{Chinese missiles}}
Category:Guided missiles of the People's Republic of China
Category:Anti-ship cruise missiles of the People's Republic of China
Category:Air-to-surface missiles