HJ-9

The HJ-9, HongJian-9, military designation AFT-9, is an advanced, third-generation, man-portable or vehicle-mounted anti-tank guided missile system deployed by the People's Liberation Army Ground Force.

History and development
HJ-9 development began in the early 1980s, and finished in the late 1990s. It was unveiled to the public officially in a military parade in 1999.

The missile was developed by China North Industries Corporation (Norinco), and one of the chief designers was Yang Chunming (杨春铭). It is externally similar in appearance to the Israeli Man Portable Anti-Tank System (MAPATS) and South African ZT3 Ingwe anti-tank missile, however, no evidence was found of any technological link.

Design
The HJ-9 has a maximum range of 5.5 km, and a minimum range of 100 m, guided by semi-automatic command to line of sight laser beam riding. Claimed penetration of rolled homogeneous armour (RHAe) is 120 cm, which is greater than the HJ-8. The missile can mount various warheads including a tandem-charge high-explosive anti-tank (HEAT) shaped charge, high explosive (HE), or thermal, for use against non-armored point targets, bunkers, and fortifications. Like the HJ-8, the HJ-9 uses a disposable container and launching tube, but the one for HJ-9 is heavier, weighing 37 kg due to HJ-9's large diameter of 152 mm. The missile is compatible with various thermal imaging sights and can be mounted on an AFT-9 Missile Carrier.

In 2005, Norinco revealed HJ-9A in various public events. The HJ-9A was in service with the Chinese armed forces as of 2005. Unlike HJ-9, the newer system used semi-active millimeter wave radar guidance. The HJ-9A launcher was mostly observed being mounted on a tripod with an integrated radar system and was demonstrated by Norinco on a NJ2046 utility vehicle. The HJ-9A can also be mounted on trucks, armored personnel carriers, and other light utility vehicles.

Norinco also revealed a further-developed version of the HJ-9A with laser guidance, designated HJ-9B.

Operators

 * 🇨🇳 China
 * People's Liberation Army Ground Force — 450 AFT-9 Missile Carrier estimated in service as of 2020.