Changgung air defense system
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The Changgung air defense system (Menghean: 창궁 방공망 / 蒼穹防空網, Changgung banggongmang) is a family of Menghean surface to air missile launchers and associated radar platforms. Changgung (창궁 / 蒼穹) can be translated as either "Blue Dome" or "Firmament," and both terms appear in Anglian-language marketing literature. The designation refers to the networked air-defense battery as a whole, not to the missiles it fires: the system is compatible with YDG-39, YDG-62, YDG-63, YDG-64, YDG-65, and YDG-67 missiles, and can also feed targeting information to short-ranged C-RAM type guns.
In its earliest iteration, also designated Changgung-G, the system was a licensed copy of Letnia's S-300PMU-1, delivered in 1996. Improvements from the S-300PMU-2 system were added shortly afterward. Since then, however, the Changgung family has evolved to encompass a much wider array of missiles,
Development
Missiles
System components
Command vehicles
- 60SCh Battery command post vehicle. Uses the T512 chassis.
- 60SCh-1: Improved 60SCh with MChGJ-0802 datalink, digital displays, and other electronic improvements.
Radars
- 60JP198: A licensed copy of the Letnian 64N6E "Big Bird" radar in the S-300PMU-1 system, this was the original search radar used by the Changgung system. It is carried on a trailer pulled by the Taekchŏn T512-based prime mover.
- Frequency range: S-band
- Range against a fighter-sized target: 260 km
- Number of simultaneously tracked targets: 200
- 360-degree rotation time: 12 seconds
- Time to readiness from a road march: 5 minutes
- 60JP493: This is a new radar design introduced in 2010. It features a longer range and greater processing power, while using the same trailer base as the 60JP198. Through the use of ground cables or secure datalinks, the radar can be placed as far as 1,000 meters from the signal processing and command vehicle, allowing the battery to disperse over a wider area and resist attacks by enemy aircraft.
- Frequency range: UHF (Decimetric)
- Range by RCS: 400 km (1 m2 target), 240 km (0.1 m2 target)
- Number of simultaneously tracked targets: 200
- 360-degree rotation time: 15 seconds
- Time to readiness from a road march: 5 minutes
- 60JP342: A licensed copy of the Letnian 30N6E "Flap Lid" radar in the S-300PMU-1 system, this was the original targeting radar used by the Changgung system. A monopulse feed horn on the rear of the rotating base feeds a signal into the rear of the antenna, which can steer the beam onto a target. The radar module and crew/command module are located on the same chassis.
- Frequency range: I/J-band
- Guidance range: 300 km
- Scanned sector height: 0 to +60 deg
- Scanned sector width: 90 deg (360 deg with rotating base)
- Simultaneous guidance: 6 targets, 12 missiles
- Time to readiness from a road march: 5 minutes
- 60JP431: A new multi-purpose radar designed to replace the 60JP342, this was introduced in 2010 along with the 60JP493. In addition to its missile guidance capabilities, it also has an independent scanning function, allowing it to double as a battery-level search radar. Improved geolocation and datalink equipment allow it to guide missiles while stationed up to 25 kilometers from the command post and launch points. As on the 60JP342, the command module is placed on the same chassis, but the chassis is lengthened to 10 axles for improved stability.
- Frequency range: I/J-band
- Guidance range: 400 km
- Scanned sector height: 0 to +60 deg (+75 deg in high-angle mode)
- Scanned sector width: 90 deg (360 deg with rotating base)
- Simultaneous guidance: 8 targets, 16 missiles
- Number of simultaneously tracked targets: 200
- 360-degree rotation time: 15 seconds
- Time to readiness from a road march: 5 minutes
Missile launch platforms
- YB-39: family of launch vehicles for the YDG-39 surface-to-air missile. All carry four missile tubes in a trapezoidal arrangement. The YDG-39 uses a cold launch system to eject the missile clear of its tube, and must be fired with the tube elevated to 90 degrees.
- YB-39JB: 8x8 TEL with four missile tubes and a control module behind the cabin. Uses the T512 chassis.
- YB-39JB-1: Variant with electronics improvements, including MChGJ-0802 datalink. Introduced in 2010.
- YB-39JBW: "Slave" variant of the YB-39JB1 with a spare tire and cable storage space in place of the control module. Receives firing commands from a YB-39JB1 nearby.
- YB-39JBW-1: Variant with electronics improvements, including MChGJ-0802 datalink. Introduced in 2010.
- YB-39T: Trailer with four missile tubes which elevate and fire.
- YB-39JB: 8x8 TEL with four missile tubes and a control module behind the cabin. Uses the T512 chassis.
Radar masts
In a continuation of Letnian practice, two modular radar masts exist for the Changgung air defense system. These are designed to elevate a search radar or fire-control radar higher above the ground, extending the radar horizon out further and reducing the interference from ground clutter. These benefits are particularly useful when engaging helicopters, terrain-following aircraft, and cruise missiles. The tradeoffs include a relatively long deployment time, complicating shoot-and-scoot operations, and the need for additional vehicles in the battery. Domestically, the Menghean Army appears to use these masts predominantly in coastal defense units, and also in heavily forested areas of Innominada, while relying on mastless systems on the South Hemithean Plain.
The mast is a separate piece from the radar array, which is attached immediately prior to deployment. When moving, the radar is carried on a special radar transport vehicle, and the radar command post sits on a separate vehicle which parks beside the mast upon deployment. The larger type also requires a 90-ton crane vehicle and a trailer carrying the upper mast segment. Organizationally, the mast, radar, and associated equipment are generally placed in a separate battery from the missile launch batteries, which have mastless radar vehicles as backup.
Deployment cycle for the 60T1 single-piece mast is as follows: 1. Mast battery elements come to a stop at the chosen deployment site. 2. 60T24 trailer is decoupled from its prime mover. 3. 60T24 trailer deploys stabilizing outriggers. Radar transport trailer and crane park aligned with the mast head. 4. Crane attaches radar unit to the horizontal mast head. 5. Mast unit elevates and radar deploys.
- 60T24: Copy of the Letnian 40V6M 24-meter radar mast. Time to erect or stow from a road march: 1 hour.
- 60T24: Trailer carrying the mast and stabilizing outriggers.
- GJG-80T: 80-ton-capacity crane for radar attachment.
- 60TJPT: Trailer carrying the radar of choice - different radar heads available.
- 60JSCh: Radar command post vehicle.
- 60T40: Copy of the Letnian 40V6MD 40-meter radar mast. Time to erect or stow from a road march: 2 hours. Requires the use of a special 90-ton crane to attach the upper mast stage, which is carried on a separate trailer.
- 60T40-1: Trailer carrying the mast lower half and stabilizing outriggers.
- 60T40-2: Trailer carrying the mast upper half.
- GJG-80T: 80-ton-capacity crane for mast assembly and radar attachment.
- 60TJPT: Trailer carrying the radar of choice - different radar heads available.
- 60JSCh: Radar command post vehicle.
Logistics
System variants
- Changgung-G: original system, based on S-300PMU-1. Only uses the YDG-39 missile.
- Changgung-G1: upgraded system with improvements from the S-300PMU-2. Also uses YDG-39 only.