China's Type 625E: The New Frontier in Short-Range Air Defense

Introduction

In the ever-evolving landscape of military technology, China has introduced a new player that's turning heads and raising eyebrows. The Type 625E short-range air defense vehicle made its debut in November 2022 at the civil-military air show in Zhuhai, China. This imposing piece of machinery combines the firepower of a Gatling gun with the precision of missile pods, creating a versatile platform designed to take down everything from FPV drones to helicopters.

The Gatling Gun: A Wall of Lead

The most striking feature of the Type 625E is undoubtedly its massive six-barrel 25mm anti-aircraft Gatling gun. This formidable weapon is reportedly capable of engaging UAV targets at distances up to 2 kilometers. The choice of a Gatling gun over an autocannon is an interesting one, reflecting a specific philosophy in air defense.

Quantity Over Precision

The Gatling gun approach favors quantity over precision. By firing a high volume of rounds, the Type 625E increases its chances of hitting fast-moving, small targets like drones. This "spray and pray" method might seem less sophisticated than precision-guided systems, but it has its advantages in certain scenarios.

Dual-Purpose Capability

Interestingly, China claims that the Gatling gun can also be used in an anti-personnel mode. By traversing the turret down to ground level, the weapon can provide suppressive fire against ground targets. This dual-purpose capability adds versatility to the platform, potentially making it a valuable asset in combined arms operations.

Recoil and Accuracy Concerns

However, the use of such a powerful weapon on a wheeled chassis raises some concerns. Footage of the Type 625E firing shows the vehicle being pushed back several feet by the recoil. This significant force could potentially impact accuracy, especially when engaging targets at longer ranges or while on the move.

Comparison to Other Systems

The use of a Gatling gun in this role is not unique to China. Russia's Pantsir air defense system also employs a similar approach. These systems typically carry around 700 rounds per magazine, allowing for about 20 seconds of continuous fire.

The Type 625E's design philosophy seems to draw inspiration from older systems like the American Vulcan air defense system of the 1960s. More recently, the United States has experimented with the C-RAM (Counter Rocket, Artillery, and Mortar) system, which also uses a Gatling gun mounted on a truck chassis.

Missile Pods: Extending the Reach

Complementing the Gatling gun are the Type 625E's missile pods. These appear to house FB-series missiles, capable of engaging low-flying air targets at ranges up to 10 kilometers and altitudes between 15 meters and 5,000 meters.

Guidance System

The missiles reportedly use an infrared radar dual-mode hybrid guidance system. This approach combines the benefits of both infrared and radar guidance, potentially increasing the system's effectiveness against a variety of targets.

Capacity and Comparison

One notable aspect of the Type 625E is its missile capacity. The vehicle can carry eight missiles, which is double the original loadout of comparable American systems like the Avenger. This increased capacity could provide extended engagement capability without the need for frequent reloading.

Radar and Sensor Suite

The effectiveness of any air defense system heavily relies on its ability to detect and track targets. The Type 625E sports two radars mounted on top of the gun turret - one for searching and another for tracking.

Opto-Electrical Tracking System

In addition to the radars, the vehicle features an opto-electrical tracking system. This large plate at the center of the turret can be raised, lowered, and rotated 360 degrees. It serves as a detection radar to identify threats and likely incorporates thermal and infrared sensing capabilities.

Range and Integration

Reports suggest that the collective radar system has a range of 12 to 15 kilometers, which aligns well with the range of its weapon systems. However, it's important to note that air defense vehicles rarely operate in isolation. Ideally, the Type 625E would be integrated into a larger air defense network, allowing it to benefit from data shared by other sensors in the area.

Performance Speculation

While exact performance figures are not available, some insights can be gleaned by looking at other Chinese export equipment. For example, the KLJ-7A aircraft radar is roughly on par with decades-old F-16 radar systems. If this trend holds true for the Type 625E, its radar capabilities might be somewhat limited compared to more modern Western or Russian systems.

Vehicle Platform and Crew

The Type 625E is built on an 8-wheel chassis, likely derived from the Type 08 armored personnel carrier. This approach of repurposing an existing chassis can significantly reduce development time and costs.

Crew Configuration

The vehicle appears to have a crew of at least four:

1. Driver (located in the front cabin)
2. Vehicle commander
3. Gunner
4. Additional crew member (possibly a system operator)

The gunner's position is equipped with a large screen and joystick for controlling the turret and weapon systems.

Mobility and Protection

Based on the Type 08 platform, the Type 625E could potentially reach speeds of up to 100 km/h with a range of around 800 km. However, the added weight of the weapon systems might impact these performance figures.

In terms of protection, the vehicle lacks explosive reactive armor or cage armor. It's equipped with eight smoke launchers for concealment but otherwise seems to rely on its base armor. This level of protection is likely sufficient against small arms fire up to 12.7mm (.50 caliber) rounds but may leave the vehicle vulnerable to more substantial threats.

Role in China's Air Defense Strategy

The Type 625E fits into China's layered air defense strategy as a short-range air defense (SHORAD) system. It's designed to provide close-in protection for infantry and armored units against low-flying threats like drones, helicopters, and potentially cruise missiles.

Comparison to Existing Systems

China's current primary SHORAD vehicle is the HQ-17, which comes in both tracked and wheeled variants. The HQ-17 carries up to 16 surface-to-air missiles but lacks a direct-fire gun. In this context, the Type 625E offers improved versatility with its combination of gun and missiles.

Another system in China's arsenal is the Type 95 SPAAG (Self-Propelled Anti-Aircraft Gun), which features four 25mm autocannons and four QW-2 infrared surface-to-air missiles. The Type 625E's higher rate of fire from its Gatling gun potentially makes it more effective against small, agile targets like modern drones.

Export Potential

The "E" in Type 625E likely stands for "Export," suggesting that this system may be primarily intended for foreign sales rather than widespread adoption by the People's Liberation Army. This aligns with China's efforts to increase its share of the global arms market, especially as its military sales have reportedly decreased by around 25% in the last decade.

Comparison to US Systems

The closest US equivalent to the Type 625E might be the C-RAM (Counter-Rocket, Artillery, and Mortar) system, which also uses a Gatling gun for point defense. However, the C-RAM is typically mounted on a stationary platform rather than a mobile chassis.

For mobile short-range air defense, the US Army has been developing the IM-SHORAD (Interim Maneuver Short-Range Air Defense) system based on the Stryker vehicle. This system uses a combination of guns, missiles, and directed energy weapons, reflecting a different approach to the SHORAD mission.

The Future of Short-Range Air Defense

The development of systems like the Type 625E reflects the changing nature of modern warfare, particularly the increased threat posed by small drones and loitering munitions. Both China and the United States are adapting their air defense strategies to counter these emerging threats.

Lessons from Recent Conflicts

The ongoing conflict in Ukraine has highlighted the critical importance of effective short-range air defense in modern warfare. The proliferation of small, commercially available drones used for both reconnaissance and attack has created new challenges for ground forces.

Different Approaches

While China seems to be focusing on high-volume fire with systems like the Type 625E, the United States is exploring a mix of traditional guns and missiles along with newer technologies like directed energy weapons. Each approach has its strengths and weaknesses, and it remains to be seen which will prove more effective in real-world combat situations.

Technical Specifications

Armament

• Main gun: 25mm six-barrel Gatling gun
• Missiles: 8 x FB-series surface-to-air missiles

Fire Control and Sensors

• 2 x Radar systems (search and track)
• Opto-electrical tracking system
• Estimated detection range: 12-15 km

Mobility

• Chassis: 8x8 wheeled (likely based on Type 08 APC)
• Estimated top speed: ~100 km/h
• Estimated range: ~800 km

Protection

• Basic armor (likely effective against small arms up to 12.7mm)
• 8 x Smoke grenade launchers

Crew

• 4 (Driver, Commander, Gunner, System Operator)

Conclusion

The Type 625E represents China's latest entry into the evolving field of short-range air defense. Its combination of a high-volume Gatling gun and modern missile systems offers a potentially effective solution to the growing threat of drones and other low-flying aircraft.

While questions remain about its exact capabilities and performance, the Type 625E demonstrates China's ability to rapidly develop and field new military technologies in response to changing battlefield dynamics. Whether as an export product or a domestic asset, this system is likely to play a significant role in shaping the future of air defense strategies.

As drone technology continues to advance and proliferate, the importance of effective short-range air defense systems will only grow. The Type 625E, along with its counterparts from other nations, will be at the forefront of this ongoing technological and tactical evolution.

Only time and potential combat experience will reveal the true effectiveness of these systems. Until then, military analysts and planners worldwide will be watching closely as vehicles like the Type 625E move from the drawing board to the battlefield.

Article created from: https://youtu.be/nSw4aHoIvgo?feature=shared