YDG-66

YDG-66
Type	Short-range surface-to-air missile
Place of origin	Hallia, Menghe
Service history
In service	2012
Used by	Menghe
Production history
Manufacturer	Buksŏng Industries Group
Produced	2012-present
Specifications
Weight	99 kg
Length	3.2 m
Diameter	166 mm
Warhead	directed fragmentation
Detonation mechanism	Proximity fuze
Engine	solid fuel rocket
Propellant	solid fuel
Operational range	1-25 km (YDG-66G) 0.3-25 km (YDG-66N)
Speed	Mach 3
Guidance system	active radar homing with mid-course update datalink
Launch platform	Naval: * Mk 41 VLS

The YDG-66 is a version of the Hallian CAMM surface-to-air missile produced under license in Menghe. It has an active radar homing seeker and a two-way datalink, much like the larger YDG-64, but it has the advantage of being lighter, more compact, and more effective against small or maneuvering targets, including precision-guided munitions. It is carried by warships of the Menghean Navy, where it can be fired from special quad-packed canisters of the Mark 41 Vertical Launching System, and by land vehicles, where it comes in a wide variety of formats.

In addition to the cold-launched YDG-66G, which is a nearly direct copy of the baseline CAMM, Menghe developed the YDG-66N, a variant which fires its booster immediately upon launch. Because it can be fired while pointing at the target, rather than vetically, the YDG-66N has a shorter minimum range, as low as 0.3 kilometers according to some reports. Menghe does not, however, operate an extended-range version, with the YDG-64 filling that role.

Sea-launch platforms

Mark 41 VLS

The YDG-66G is designed to be fired from self-defense-length cells of the Mark 41 VLS. These special self-defense-length cells have built-in cold-launch charges at the base, propelling the missile out of the cell. Because the YDG-66 and YDG-64 are designed to use the same datalink, any Menghean warship compatible with the YDG-64 can also fire the YDG-66.

HYB-66/12

The HYB-66/12 is a point-defense system using the YDG-66N, first unveiled in 2019. It consists of an automated pedestal mount with six missile launch boxes on each side, for twelve in total. The power and control systems are located in the base of the pedestal, meaning that the launcher can be fitted directly to a section of reinforced deck without the need for internal below-deck penetration.

As of 2021, the only Menghean ship class to carry the HYB-66/12 is the Pyŏng'an-class destroyer (post-refits). The HYB-66/12 point-defense mounts replace the previous HYB-61/12 point-defense mounts. Some rumors suggested that the Menghean Navy would fit HYB-66/12 launchers to the Insŏng-class destroyers, but instead they carry conventional 23mm CIWS mounts in the fore and aft positions.

Land-launch platforms

YBR-66/64 Pyobŏm

This is a self-propelled surface-to-air missile system capable of firing both the YDG-64 and the YDG-66G. In both cases the missiles are carried in modified Mark 41 VLS canisters. Up to four canisters can be carried, for up to 16 missiles, usually a mix of both types.

The Pyobŏm (Panther) has its own air-search radar and guidance system, meaning that a single TELAR can operate independently without support from a radar vehicle or command post. It also carries its air-search radar atop a 7.2-meter mast, allowing better coverage against low-flying targets in an area with low trees or small buildings. However, the TELAR must extend its pneumatic braces, elevate the missile launch cells, and elevate the radar mast before firing, a process which takes up to 4 minutes. It uses the chassis of the Taekchŏn T512 8×8 heavy utility truck, which has good offroad mobility but is inferior to a tracked vehicle.

JYBR-66 Chŏlsan-JCh

Also designated Y66G2BR1, this is a self-propelled surface-to-air missile system which fires the YDG-66N missile. Unlike the YBR-66/64, it carries its missiles in elevating boxes on either side of a traversing turret, and fires them on a direct bearing toward the target. This allows a more compact configuration, and reportedly permits a shorter minimum range against incoming threats. It also allows the Chŏlsan-JCh to fire while on the move, or to quickly come to a stop, without needing several minutes to fully deploy. The turret also carries a short-range air-search radar and an electro-optical targeting unit, though both are partially obstructed when the missile boxes are elevated.

The JCh suffix denotes Jŏncha, or "tank," indicating that the turret is mounted on the hull of a JCh-6 main battle tank. Early-model hulls were reused for this purpose. These hulls lack reactive armour and applique composite plates, but they are still very well-protected against autocannon fire, shrapnel, and small shaped charges. The turret itself is also well-armored, with a spaced composite plate in front. A nearby bomb or missile impact would likely damage the missiles, radar, or electro-optical sensor, putting the vehicle out of action, but the crew and internal computers would survive, allowing the vehicle to withdraw under its own power for repairs.

The Chŏlsan-JCh TELAR is part of the Chŏlgung (iron dome) air defense system, and a battery of its vehicles are classified as Chŏlgung-DR (dan gŏri, short range). The vehicle's designation of Chŏlsan means "iron umbrella." A Chŏlgung-DR battalion is typically attached to an individual tank regiment or mechanized infantry regiment, and its vehicles would be dispersed among front-line units. In addition to engaging enemy low-flying aircraft and light UAVs, the Chŏlsan-JCh would be tasked with intercepting precision-guided munitions, providing an "iron umbrella" of protection for a front-line unit.

Chŏlmu air defense system

The Y66G3 Chŏlmu ("hemlet") air defense system is a family of vehicles supporting the YDG-66G missile and its fire-control equipment. All vehicles in the family use the lightweight Chŏnsŏ G586 4×4 light utility lorry, which has moderate offroad mobility but a high road speed and good fuel efficiency. A single Chŏlmu battery consists of one radar and generator truck with a YR-047 radar, one mobile command post, and up to four transporter-erector-launchers. The TELs each carry six YDG-66G missiles in cold-launch cells, which can be hidden under a metal rib frame and tarp while in transit. The Chŏlmu air defense system is ideal for defending high-value stationary or semi-stationary targets, such as bridges, rail yards, airfields, and large unit headquarters.

Chŏlmu battery structure:

• Y66G3JS battery command post and radar operator post
• Y66G3R047 3D air search radar
• 4× Y66G3B TEL (6 missiles each)