The M-7 missile, also known as the "8610 project," has a range of 180 kilometers with a throw-weight of 500 kilograms. It is generally similar to the American "Lance" and the Russian SS-21 missiles. While its range is longer than these missiles, its warhead capacity is somewhat smaller. Although the other M-series missiles use solid fuel, this missile is derived from the HQ-2 SAM [the Chinese version of the Russia SA-2 GUIDELINE] which uses a storable liquid propellant. As with the other M-series missiles, the M-7's operational preparation time is short, and it is transported by highly-mobile cross- country trucks which have the capacity to launch the missiles.
The HQ-2 was originally designed as a high-altitude SAM, derived from the Soviet SA-2. The total number of HQ-2 missiles produced is unknown, but the HQ-2 is being retired with some being converted to short-range surface-to-surface missile called M-7.
Specifications |
|
| Contractor | China Chang Feng Mechanics and Electronics Technology - CCF |
| Operator | Second Artillery Corps |
| Basing | |
| Configuration | Single Stage |
| Length [meters] | |
| Diameter [meters] | |
| Mass [kilograms] | |
| Propellant | Storable Liquid |
| Guidance | Inertial |
| First Flight | 19 |
| IOC | 19 |
| Deployment | Soft |
| Range (km) | |
| Re-entry Vehicle Mass (kg) | |
| Warhead Yield | ) |
| CEP (meters) | |