The Chinese navy has started to use the new LY60N SAM in place of the HQ61 SAM which was earlier used in the Jiangwei-class frigates. The LY60 series were developed by Shanghai Academy of Space Flight Technology( SAST). The biggest advantages of this missile series are that they have a longer range and can attack three air targets at the same time. Compared with the HQ61 whose launch range is 12000 meters and whose maximum launch altitude is 10000 meters, the LY60 can be launched as far as 18000 meters away and reaches a maximum launch altitude of 12000 meters. It is reported that the fire control system of the LY60N has also greatly improved. The search radar can handle up to 40 targets each time. At the same time, the track radar is able to simultaneously track 12 targets and to guide the LY60 in its attack on three of the targets.
At present, the Chinese navy has installed the LY60N air-defence systems in a group of the Jiangwei B-class frigates that have been newly put into service. Every launch system features a sextuple launchers and each launcher contains four LY60N missiles. That makes a total of 24 missiles. Therefore, the whole launch system is large and clumsy. The wing of the LY60N is foldable. In comparison, the LY60 of the ground army version features a quadruple launchers, each of its launcher contains one missile, and its missile wing is not foldable.
As the source from China military industry indicates, the LY60N is now being developed to be the VLS system, where it is reported that at least eight vertical launch barrels can be installed and a total of 32 missiles can be stored. It is estimated that this VLS system can be used in the warships of different classes. In the meantime, the air force version of the LY60/LY60N, i.e. the semi-active radar-guided air-to-air missile named "FD60", is also the product of SAST. Carried by the J8B fighter plane. the whole FD60 system is very similar to the "Aspide" AAM of Italy in appearance. In addition, the same Shanghai academy has also developed a portable ground-to-air called the "FY60", which is totally different from the QW2 SAM in appearance. As the FY60 missile has not made its appearance on the international weapon market, the detailed data are not known yet.
The source of the local military industry indicates that China also hopes to export its LY60N ship-to-air missiles to Pakistan. In fact, this is the first time that China planned to export its LY60N ship-to-air missiles to a foreign country. Pakistan will mainly install the LY60Ns in its British-made Type 21 frigates, which were originally equipped with the British-made Seacat SAM. At present, the LY60N is being trial-used in at least one Type 21 of the Pakistani Navy.
