HJ-8H

Description

The HJ-8H, or Hongjian-8H (红箭-8H), is a Chinese Semi-automatic command to line of sight wire-guided missile. This missile variant was introduced in the update "Drone Age"¹ and it is an upgrade to the HJ-8E in which the fire-control system and launching/ stowage system from its previous upgrade, the HJ-8L, were used. This upgrade allowed the HJ-8H to be a light-weight missile which could retain its tandem warhead and penetration capability. Before the implementation of the HJ-8H, there were a long line of advancements and development inside of the PLA regarding the HJ-8 missile. Because of the missile's ground-based ATGM operation, advancements which increased penetration by approximately 27% were adopted onto the HJ-8H, as well as other improvements. The HJ-8H retains it's tandem warhead, seen on previous variants allowing it to penetrate past many modern ERA systems. The HJ-8H's maximum speed and effective range remain the same as the HJ-8E, although it's explosive mass and TNT equivalent has been slightly increased.

1 . Possibly Incorrect

Vehicles equipped with this weapon

• Z-9WA

General info

HJ-8H
Warhead Type	Tandem
Caliber	120 mm
Mass	13 kg
Guidance	SACLOS (wire-guidance)
Maximum Speed	240 m/s
Firing Range	4 km
Missile Guidance Time	19.0 secs
Explosive Type	Type 88
Explosive Mass	2.15 kg
TNT Equivalent	2.8 kg TNTe
Armor Penetration (0°, 10m)	750 mm

Effective damage

The HJ-8H's penetration and explosive power is a welcomed improvement relative to it's earlier variant. The 750mm of penetration with its tandem-warhead will combat and destroy most vehicles you will face. It may not pack the greatest punch, but with the combined effectiveness of the vehicle(s) equipped with this missile, it can be used to precisely target vehicle weak points and get the instantaneous kill one may expect of an ATGM.

Comparison with analogues

BGM-71C/ D - The BGM-71 (C/ D variants) receives a higher maximum speed, larger explosive mass and TNTe, as well as IRCM but it lacks a tandem warhead. This makes the missile easily defeatable by ERA on a combat vehicle, the HJ-8H does not have this weakness. The BGM-71 (C/ D) also has a lower range then the HJ-8H, forcing the carrying vehicle to expose itself more then a vehicle carrying HJ-8H's.

HOT-2 - The HOT-2 is slightly faster then the HJ-8H by 10 m/s, though it lacks a tandem warhead. The HOT-2 also packs a far greater punch (explosive/ TNTe wise) than its Chinese counterpart. The HOT-2 is easily defeatable by any sort of ERA if protection is adequate.

9M120/ 9M114 - The ATAKA is generally a superior SACLOS missile compared the HJ-8H. The ATAKA has greater range (6km to the HJ-8H's 4), vastly quicker at a whopping 550 m/s (HJ-8H is 240 m/s), all accompanied by a tandem warhead and higher flat penetration.

The Shturm on the other hand, is a slightly different story. The HJ-8H does have noticeable advantage to the Shturm thanks to it's tandem warhead, which may defeat ERA as well as its greater flat penetration. Though, that is it's only advantage as the Shturm is far quicker, greater range and larger warhead.

RB 55C - The RB 55C is a faster missile with IRCCM, but it's lower in ranger compared to the HJ-8H and it does not have a tandem warhead, which makes it easily defeatable by adequate ERA protection.

Usage in battles

The HJ-8H should be used on flanking attacks due to the loiter time caused by it's slower speeds,. The operator should also learn vehicle weak points, especially those that may be hidden behind ERA to guarantee a kill shot. It is also advised to only engage SPAA that cannot engage you (due to range), or when they are not aware of your presence due to the flight time of the missile. The HJ-8H is fantastic for penetrating and creating your own weak points, though it's quite a average missile otherwise, so it is advised to take precise shots and aim for targets that may be a future threat to the team rather then a enemy being actively engaged (due to the missile flight time). The platform(s) this missile uses incredibly increases the effectiveness of the missile, so it is best to use it's corresponding platforms to increase your kill probability.

Pros and cons

Pros:

• Good flat penetration at it's battle rating.
• Decent range for it's corresponding battle rating.
• Tandem warhead allows it to easily defeat ERA, even at top tier.

Cons:

• Extremely slow when compared to it's counterparts.
• Relatively small explosive mass and TNTe.
• Must have constant line of sight to properly engage target, leaving the operating vehicle exposed for a long period of time.

History

GENERAL INFORMATION

The HJ-8H is an upgrade variant of the existing HJ-8E which was itself a variant on a long line of improvements on the HJ-8 platform. It is a tube launched wire-guided SACLOS missile developed by the PLA in the late 1980s. In the 1970s the PLAGF (specifically the armored corps) began to develop interested in a proposed successor to the HJ-73 that was in service. This missile was jointly researched and developed by Research Institute No. 203, and the 282nd Factory. The program was later halted due to political turbulence. The missile was not completed until the late 80s, and did not enter production until 1984. This caused the missile to lack behind its counterparts in some aspects (which can be properly displayed in-game). The HJ-8 and its corresponding variants are manufactured by Factory 282, as well as Pakistan's GIDS.

THE HJ-8H UPGRADE

The HJ-8H upgrade came after the Bosnian War, after the HJ-8E and L. The PLAGF took what they learned from the previous variants and developed a new missile, using systems from the previous variants. The main upgrades are; the fire control system and light-weight stowage used in the HJ-8L as well as extended engagement abilities.

Media

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See also

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• reference to the article about the variant of the weapon;
• references to approximate analogues by other nations and research trees.

External links

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