YJ-8


NATO: CSS-N-4 Sardine, Export: C-801


Overview


YJ-8

Early model YJ-8 with fixed wings and associated ribbed launcher on display during a military parade.
Source: Chinese internet - © Copyright lies with original owner

Origin
China
Type
Anti-ship missile
Entered service
Late 1980's for YJ-8
1992 for YJ-8A
Status
In service
Development
Late 1970's - Early 1990's
Developer
China
Production
Early 1990's - Mid 2000's
Producer
China - CASIC
Unit cost
$ 780.000
Designations
CSS-N-4 Sardine (NATO reporting name)
YJ-8 / YingJi-8
Chinese for "eagle strike 8"
C-801 (export designation)
Notable users
China
Iran
Thailand

Description


The YJ-8 is an anti-ship missile of Chinese origin. It was developed as a more capable alternative to the larger and slower anti-ship missiles in Chinese service. The design is patterned after, but not a direct copy of, the French MM38 Exocet missile. The YJ-8 is a sea skimming anti-ship missile with active radar homing in the terminal phase. The solid propellant rocket motor makes the YJ-8 less difficult to operate and much smaller than the Chinese models of the P-15 Termit. This allows for more missiles to be carried on ships.

The air launched YJ-81 and submarine launched YJ-82 are based on the design of the YJ-8. The more capable YJ-83 is used on the latest generation of Chinese surface vessels.

Variants of the YJ-8

YJ-8
Surface ship launched anti-ship missile. Initial production model with fixed wings. Only fitted to a very limited number of ships in Chinese service.
YJ-8A
Modified YJ-8 with folding wings. Introduced soon after the YJ-8 and more common model. Folding wings results in the use of a smaller box launcher. YJ-8A also forms the basis for the YJ-82 submarine launched variant.
C-801
Export model of the fixed wing YJ-8. Possibly at a later stage the YJ-8A was offered as C-801 as well.

Details


Facts YJ-8A
General
Origin
China
Type
Anti-ship missile
Dimensions
Length
5.81 m
Diameter
0.36 m
Wingspan
1.22 m
Weight
815 kg
Guidance
Terminal guidance
Active radar homing
First phase guidance
Inertial guidance
Mid course update
No
Warhead
Type
High explosive
Weight
165 kg
Engagement envelope
Propulsion
Solid propellant rocket motor
Speed
Mach 0.9
Range
42 km
Altitude
5 to 7 m in terminal phase
20 m cruise altitude

Media


Platforms


(Note: incomplete list)

Type-052 class

Destroyer with 2x4 YJ-8A. Later replaced by 4x4 YJ-83.

Type-053H3 class

Frigate with 2x3 YJ-8A. Late ships in class fitted with YJ-83.

Type-053H2G class

Frigate with 2x3 YJ-8A.

Type-037-II class

Missile boat with 2x3 YJ-8A.

Related articles


YJ-83

China developed the longer range and more capable YJ-83 as the successor to the YJ-8A.

MM38 Exocet

The YJ-8 has a similar design pattern as the French MM38 Exocet anti-ship missile.