China's WS-64 touted as first precision anti-ship rocket launcher

[cirr]

China's WS-64 touted as first precision anti-ship rocket launcher

A visitor stands near a WS-63 rocket during the China International Aviation & Aerospace Exhibition in Zhuhai, Guangdong province, Nov. 11, 2014. (Photo/CFP)

China's WS-64 is the world's first precision-guided anti-ship missile rocket launcher system, reports Duowei News, a US-based Chinese political news outlet.

The WS-64, which has been on display at recent military exhibitions around the world, is the latest addition to the Weishi or "Guardian" multiple rocket launcher systems developed by Sichuan Aerospace Industry Corporation, a subsidiary of the state-owned China Aerospace Science and Technology Corp, the country's main aerospace contractor.

The defining feature of the WS-64 is its ability to effectively strike different types of targets at high precision thanks to its composite inertial/GPS + broadband passive radar homing guidance technology. The WS-35 and WS-3, for example, can already hit stationary targets with a high degree of accuracy, but the WS-64's guidance system allows it to take down moving targets like warships.

This means the WS-64 is China's and potentially the world's first precision-guided anti-ship weapon system, Duowei said, adding that it will be particularly attractive to countries without advanced fighter jets or air-launched anti-ship weapons as it enables attacks on enemy vessels from long distances.

The WS-64, which needs to be paired with a heavy, high-mobility vehicle as a base, carries 300-millimeter rockets and has a range of 120 to 280 kilometers with a launch preparation time of only eight to nine minutes. The system is also said to have highly adaptable and simplified launch capabilities because it can launched both vertically or from a tilted angle.

Importantly, the system comes with an INS/GNSS navigation system that is compatible with China's Beidou Navigation Satellite System. The WS-64 claims a circular error probable (CEP) of less than 30 meters, and when in radar homing mode, the CEP is reduced even further to less than 10 m.

Duowei suggests that the WS-64 could form a key component of the naval defense system of a small or mid-sized country, claiming that its deterrent power is the next best thing to having a nuclear weapon.

http://www.wantchinatimes.com/news-subclas...=20150625000159

Promotional video：

 

[kṣamā]

So how is it different from other land launched ASM ??

 

[pher]

this is a perfect weapon for those small countries to deny US's navy bully, affordable and effective.

 

[sword1947]

So how is it different from other land launched ASM ??

the price is cheaper and more efficient.

 

[Oldman1]

So how is it different from other land launched ASM ??

Its the world's first precision ASM.

 

[VelocuR]

this is a perfect weapon for those small countries to deny US's navy bully, affordable and effective.

Pretty useless I think.

US Navy is currently testing low-cost UAV swarm or boat swarm to disable launcher systems or anti-aircraft to confuse them.

US Navy's drone CANNON can shoot 30 swarm bots in under a minute | Daily Mail Online

 

[Sommer]

Pretty useless I think.

US Navy is currently testing low-cost UAV swarm or boat swarm to disable launcher systems or anti-aircraft to confuse them.

US Navy's drone CANNON can shoot 30 swarm bots in under a minute | Daily Mail Online

That drone can contral in 20 miles, this WS64 is 200miles~
WS64 will be used as a cheep ASM. One Single shoot of Bramos may cost 2,000,000 dollers. One sigle shoot of this costet maybe 20,000 dollers, to def it for example one shoot of AAM cost maybe 300,000 dollers.

 

[desimorty]

That drone can contral in 20 miles, this WS64 is 200miles~
WS64 will be used as a cheep ASM. One Single shoot of Bramos may cost 2,000,000 dollers. One sigle shoot of this costet maybe 20,000 dollers, to def it for example one shoot of AAM cost maybe 300,000 dollers.

Ur arguments poor considering his statement was flawed.
This MLRS maybe able to hit ships, but given its range/coverage its not a cost effective solution to deny the shoreline compared to cruise missiles air or land launched with ranges upto 1000 km these days only limited by detection. I think the break through isn't there, the guidance system is passive? course correction I can understand, but passive guidance would mean another ally detects and locks on the target for the weapon or the weapon sniffs radio waves signature for the target?
if possible a cheap but reliable infared nose would help it hit tanks and thats where its going not just in China. So its still a useful weapon and proven concept.
As for the USN, its budget is on another range.

 

[jkroo]

Recently, we experienced some 'first' from China, more 'first' please.

 

[masud]

can it be fired by ws-22 mlrs?..........

 

[Sommer]

Ur arguments poor considering his statement was flawed.
This MLRS maybe able to hit ships, but given its range/coverage its not a cost effective solution to deny the shoreline compared to cruise missiles air or land launched with ranges upto 1000 km these days only limited by detection. I think the break through isn't there, the guidance system is passive? course correction I can understand, but passive guidance would mean another ally detects and locks on the target for the weapon or the weapon sniffs radio waves signature for the target?
if possible a cheap but reliable infared nose would help it hit tanks and thats where its going not just in China. So its still a useful weapon and proven concept.
As for the USN, its budget is on another range.

Of cause it can't compare to a cruise missiles, but the cost is also different. I think WS64 can use the radar info from other radar and GPS and in for example the last 5 miles use his own active radar. War is not just happen between the weapons, also the money. There is not so many country can aford to use missles against rockets. And the shoot area of this weapon also make it usefull, you can hardly find some esle cheep guide weapon like this. That's why I think it's usefull for many little countrys for against ships.
And for anti tanks, we have the same system, only different ammo.

can it be fired by ws-22 mlrs?..........

Do you mean WS2D?

 

[desimorty]

Of cause it can't compare to a cruise missiles, but the cost is also different. I think WS64 can use the radar info from other radar and GPS and in for example the last 5 miles use his own active radar. War is not just happen between the weapons, also the money. There is not so many country can aford to use missles against rockets. And the shoot area of this weapon also make it usefull, you can hardly find some esle cheep guide weapon like this. That's why I think it's usefull for many little countrys for against ships.
And for anti tanks, we have the same system, only different ammo.

Wrong again. Unless you want to hit pirate ships which of course are really small just single leaking bucket. This weapon has yet to evolve to a precision weapon that can be used against a movable single target, when it does, it will be a break through. You could hit a column of moving armor but not a saturated enemy.
And yes, tactics are important especially when you do not have the resources to be indulgent but weapons are based around this fact. Cheap AShM also exist as well has more expensive options but we need to take into account failure rate and produce volume to correct it.
In short this MLRS is not credible in the anti ship role just shoreline, ie Normandy etc... but I doubt the PLA will be interested even though they do have arty on the coast for this reason not very useful for training, they location that is.

 

[masud]

Do you mean WS2D?

this platfrom.......

 

[Penguin]

So how is it different from other land launched ASM ??

It is a MLRS type launcher > course (self) corrected ballistic rocket, with a rapid rate of fire. Modern day coastal artillery, in essence. It is not the same as an anti-ship guided missile, which actively homes in on the target using a (combination of) radar, IIR and/or RF seeker(s).

 

[ghost250]

this platfrom.......

"The WS-64, which needs to be paired with a heavy, high-mobility vehicle as a base, carries 300-millimeter rockets and has a range of 120 to 280 kilometers"....where our ws-22 carries 122 mm rockets..i think u gt ur ans,masud vaii...