The HJ-9, HongJian-9 (), military designation AFT-9, is an advanced, third-generation, man-portable or vehicle-mounted anti-tank guided missile system deployed by the People's Liberation Army Ground Force.
HJ-9 development began in the early 1980s, and finished in the late 1990s. It was unveiled to the public officially in a military parade in 1999.
The missile was developed by China North Industries Corporation (Norinco), and one of the chief designers was Yang Chunming (æ¨æÂ¥éÂÂ). It is externally similar in appearance to the Israeli Man Portable Anti-Tank System (MAPATS) and South African ZT3 Ingwe anti-tank missile, however, no evidence was found of any technological link.
The HJ-9 has a maximum range of , and a minimum range of , guided by semi-automatic command to line of sight laser beam riding. Claimed penetration of rolled homogeneous armour (RHAe) is , which is greater than the HJ-8. The missile can mount various warheads including a tandem-charge high-explosive anti-tank (HEAT) shaped charge, high explosive (HE), or thermal, for use against non-armored point targets, bunkers, and fortifications. Like the HJ-8, the HJ-9 uses a disposable container and launching tube, but the one for HJ-9 is heavier, weighing due to HJ-9's large diameter of . The missile is compatible with various thermal imaging sights and can be mounted on an AFT-9 Missile Carrier.
In 2005, Norinco revealed HJ-9A in various public events. The HJ-9A was in service with the Chinese armed forces as of 2005. Unlike HJ-9, the newer system used semi-active millimeter wave radar guidance. The HJ-9A launcher was mostly observed being mounted on a tripod with an integrated radar system and was demonstrated by Norinco on a NJ2046 utility vehicle. The HJ-9A can also be mounted on trucks, armored personnel carriers, and other light utility vehicles.
Norinco also revealed a further-developed version of the HJ-9A with laser guidance, designated HJ-9B.