YDG-38

YDG-38
File:YDG-38.png YDG-38 missile and launch tube.
Type	Man-portable air defense system
Place of origin	Menghe
Service history
In service	1998–present
Used by	Menghe
Production history
Produced	1997–present
Specifications
Weight	11.0 kg (missile) 18.4 kg (with launcher)
Length	1.59 m (missile) 1.68 m (launch tube)
Diameter	73 mm
Warhead	1.20 kg total
Detonation mechanism	contact and grazing fuzes
Engine	solid fuel rocket motor
Operational range	5.4 km
Flight ceiling	3.5 km
Speed	675 m/s at peak
Guidance system	dual-wavelength infrared

The YDG-38 (Menghean: 유도탄, 대공 Yudotan, Daegong "Missile, Anti-Air") is a type of man-portable infrared homing surface-to-air missile developed in the Socialist Republic of Menghe. Like other man-portable air-defense systems (MANPADS) it can be carried and operated by a single soldier and fired from the shoulder, or mounted on a vehicle for added mobility. Strictly speaking, YDG-38 only refers to the missile itself; the shoulder-launched system, including trigger assembly and missile tube, is designated HYDG-38, with H indicating Hyudae-yong or "portable." In addition to its official designation, the missile is often known as the Banŭl (바늘) meaning "needle."

Development

During its later existence, the Democratic People's Republic of Menghe's most advanced MANPADS system had been the YDG-34, which in turn was copied from a similar weapon produced in the Federation of Socialist Republics. Already mediocre for its time, the YDG-34 was soon overtaken by other missile systems in the same category, especially in the realm of accuracy.

In order to address this problem, the post-coup Menghean government ordered the development of a new man-portable surface-to-air missile incorporating new technology, especially with regard to the seeker and guidance system. The Chŏnggong missile design bureau responded with a functioning prototype in 1995, which was accepted for mass production in 1997. Initial foreign reports claimed that the new YDG-38 was a copy of the FSR's "Igla" missile, but it later became clear that scientists in the FSR had only contributed advice on some components, most notably the seeker.

Design

Technically, YDG-38 refers only to the missile and its storage tube, while YBDG-38 (Yudotan-Balsagi Daegong 38) refers to the entire shoulder-launched system. This includes a lower module mated to the launch tube, with a trigger, battery, speaker, and replaceable liquid nitrogen coolant canister. The latter is used to cool the missile seeker prior to launch, improving its sensitivity, while the speaker by the operator's ear emits a tone when lock is achieved. At this point the operator elevates the missile tube and pulls the trigger. Once a missile is fired, the empty tube can be removed from the lower assembly of the launcher and replaced with a reload tube.

The YBDG-38 system is designed to be operated by one soldier, but in practice it is usually part of a two- or three-man team, with the other soldiers carrying reload tubes and assisting with target detection. Additional reload tubes may be carried in the unit's transport vehicle.

The missile itself uses a dual-wavelength infrared seeker, developed with aid from the FSR. It is more resistant to countermeasures, and can distinguish between an aerial target and its decoy flares. It can also engage aircraft head-on when the engine exhaust is not directly visible by locking on to other warm components, including the airframe itself. Tests by the Menghean Army claim a high pK, hindered mainly by the small size of the warhead.

In its basic form, the YBDG-38 lacks an IFF antenna or night-vision sight for the operator, though separate equipment for these roles is usually included in the unit's kit and can be either mounted to the base assembly or operated by another soldier in the missile team.

The YDG-68 missile spins in flight, allowing it to steer with only two control surfaces. Both of these control surfaces reportedly use proportional control to correct the missile's course, in contrast to bang-bang course correction in the YDG-34, allowing for greater precision when tracking a maneuvering target. Thrust is provided by a solid-fuel rocket in the missile's rear section, and stabilization by four fold-out fins. An aerodynamic spike mounted in front of the seeker head reduces drag during the missile's supersonic flight.

Additional specifications

• Target speed, oncoming: up to 400 m/s
• Target speed, receding: up to 320 m/s
• Transition time from traveling position to ready position: <15 seconds
• Reaction time once ready: <5 seconds
• Operating temperature range: -30°C to +50°C
• Kill probability against a maneuvering fixed-wing aircraft: 0.3-0.45

Service

The main user of the YDG-38 missile is the Menghean Army, in which it is the main air defense weapon at the battalion level. It is also carried by some vehicles, including the BSCh-9DG IFV, which carries four missiles in a box launcher on the side of the turret, and the DGJP-230HB SPAAG, which carries two six-missile box launchers.

There are a few dedicated launch vehicles for the YDG-38. The JYDG-38 is an anti-aircraft vehicle using the BSCh-8 wheeled chassis and two four-missile box launchers on top, with an additional eight missiles stored inside the vehicle. A variety of other truck mounts also exist, but most of these have been limited to arms expositions, and are not intended for service in the Menghean Army itself. Instead, the Menghean Army generally uses systems such as the YDG-61, which is larger and more capable as a vehicle mount.

See also

• List of Menghean missiles
• YDG-65

External links

YDG-38 at Gunsu International's information page.