The Tianlei (TL; Chinese: 天雷; lit. 'Sky Thunder') is a series of Chinese air-to-ground missile developed by China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation (CASC). Designed to be fire-and-forget with man-in-the-loop capability, it can be carried by unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), helicopters, and fixed-wing aircraft. It can provide precision attacks on fixed and slow-moving targets.
TL-1
Developed by the China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation (CASC) 4th Academy, the Tianlei-1 is a compact air-to-surface guided missile designed for integrated reconnaissance and strike. It can be mounted on drones and helicopters, targeting fixed or slow-moving targets such as tanks, light armored vehicles, radars, field command structures, and small naval vessels.[1][2]
TL-2
TL-2 is a lightweight missile or guided rocket,[3] tailored to be carried by unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV) and helicopters. It features laser guidance, lightweight construction, compact dimensions, and is capable of targeting armored vehicles, fortifications, and personnel targets.[1][4][5][6]
TL-3
TL-3 is a medium to long-range air-to-ground missile capable of standoff strikes against heavy or large-sized military targets, such as command centers, bridges, missile launch sites, radar stations, airports, and troop assemblies.[1][7]
TL-4
TL-4 is a compact, TV-guided missile suitable for being carried by infantry or light vehicles, mounted on tripods or all-terrain vehicles. It has a range of 6 km (3.7 mi) and a multi-mode engagement system that enables both fire and forget with man-in-the-loop (HITL) operation mode, or lock on before launch (LOBL)/lock on after launch (LOAL) operation mode.[1][8][9]
Specifications
| TL-1[2] | TL-2[4] | TL-3[7] | TL-4[10] | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Launch mass | 88 kg (194 lb) | 16 kg (35 lb) | 620 kg (1,370 lb) | 26 kg (57 lb) |
| Warhead | 14 kg (31 lb) | 3.8 kg (8.4 lb) | 160 kg (350 lb) | |
| Length | 1,960 mm (6.43 ft) | 1,455 mm (4.774 ft) | 4,153 mm (13.625 ft) | 1,200 mm (3.9 ft) |
| Diameter | 175 mm (6.9 in) | 88 mm (3.5 in) | 350 mm (14 in) | 140 mm (5.5 in) |
| Range | 3–20 km (1.9–12.4 mi; 1.6–10.8 nmi) | 1.5–8 km (0.93–4.97 mi; 0.81–4.32 nmi) | 230 km (140 mi; 120 nmi) | 0.5–6 km (0.31–3.73 mi; 0.27–3.24 nmi) |
| Maximum speed | Mach 0.8 | Mach 0.9 | ≥Mach 1.2 | |
| Release altitude | 500–5,000 m (1,600–16,400 ft) | |||
| Release speed | 180–250 km/h (97–135 kn) | |||
| Warhead | Penetration / Fragment warhead | Fragment warhead | kinetic penetration / Blast / Anti-radiation | |
| Guidance | INS + GNSS + Datalink + infrared homing | INS + SAL | INS + GNSS + infrared homing / Passive radar | Datalink + infrared homing / Television (TV) |
| Accuracy (CEP) | ≤1m | ≤1m | ≤10m |
See also
References
- ^ a b c d "航天科技四院天雷导弹 天鹰火箭珠海航展大放异彩". China Military. 30 September 2021.
- ^ a b "TL-1". CN Defense.
- ^ "航天科技四院中天火箭公司天雷二号研制获重大进展". China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation. 19 April 2023.
- ^ a b "TL-2". CN Defense.
- ^ ""翼龙"挂"天雷"实现空地打击". Ta Kung Pao. 6 August 2018.
- ^ "攻击2佩"天雷"怒吼 十发十中". Ta Kung Pao. 28 October 2019.
- ^ a b "TL-3". CN Defense.
- ^ "航天科技集团四院"天雷四号"导弹武器系统：多平台灵活使用 6公里精确打击". CNR. 29 September 2021.
- ^ "AirShow China 2018: New TL-4 anti-tank man-portable missile system". armyrecognition. 8 November 2018.
- ^ "TL-4". CN Defense.
