FN-16 Chinese Short-Range Man-Portable Air-Defense System (MANPADS)
FN-16
Man-Portable Air Defense System (MANPADS)
Other
Basic Information
Name
FN-16 Chinese Short-Range Man-Portable Air-Defense System (MANPADS)
Designation
FN-16
Alternate Designation
FN-16; The FN-16 is known as HN-6 (Hong Ying-6, meaning "Red Tassel-6") within PLA service, which incorporates additional protective features such as a seeker cap, tripod-mounted firing stations with ballistic shields, and revised fire control sights.
Equipment Type
Man-Portable Air Defense System (MANPADS)
Manufacturer
CASC
Date of Introduction
2008
Description
The FN-16 Chinese Short-Range Man-Portable Air-Defense System (MANPADS) is a fourth-generation man-portable air defense system (MANPADS) developed by the Shanghai Academy of Spaceflight Technology (SAST), a research institute under the China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation (CASC). It represents a significant advancement over the earlier FN-6 system and serves as one of China's most modern shoulder-fired surface-to-air missile platforms.
Ground Specifications
Max Speed
2160.0 km/h
Range
3.0 km
Variants
FB-6A
Mounted on a Dongfeng EQ2050 chassis with two quadruple launchers (eight missiles total), integrated infrared, laser, and TV fire control systems, and optional 12.7 mm machine gun armament.
Type 625E SHORAD
An 8×8 self-propelled short-range air defense system combining a six-barrel 25 mm Gatling gun with four to eight FN-16 missiles, fielded by the PLA's 77th Army Group.
FB-6C
A vehicle-distributed air defense variant distributing radar and missile systems across multiple vehicles.
System
Alternative Designation
FN-16; The FN-16 is known as HN-6 (Hong Ying-6, meaning "Red Tassel-6") within PLA service, which incorporates additional protective features such as a seeker cap, tripod-mounted firing stations with ballistic shields, and revised fire control sights.
Type
Short-Range Man-Portable Air-Defense System (MANPADS)
Manufacturer
Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation (CASC)
System Composition
The complete FN-16 man-portable system includes:
Launch tube: Contains the missile.
Launching mechanism: Firing control and release components.
Battery cooling unit: Powers and cools the seeker during operation.
Optical sight: Daylight target acquisition and aiming.
Night sight: Thermal or image intensifier for low-light operations.
Launch tube assembly: Structural and firing integration.
Seeker
Another major improvement is in its seeker, which in addition to the original IR guidance, UV guidance is also incorporated,
It is equipped with an infrared/ultraviolet two-color quasi-imaging seeker
Fuze
The system employs dual fuzing—combining a laser proximity fuse with an impact fuse—to enhance hit probability across different target profiles. This configuration allows the missile to detonate when proximity conditions are met or upon direct impact, improving lethality.
Interception Altitude
10 to 4,000 m
Interception Range
Against helicopters: 0.5 to 3 km.
Against UAVs: 0.5 to 1.5 km.
Against surface targets: 0.5 to 2 km.
Reaction Time
5 sec
Flight Velocity
At least 600 m/s in cruising flight
Single Shot Kill Probability (SSKP)
0.8 (Aircraft)
0.7 (Cruise missile)
Guidance Accuracy
At least 95% within 1.5-meter diameter against low-speed helicopters and within a specific zone against fast-moving jets.
Note #1
The weapon was specifically designed to be used against targets flying at low and very low altitudes.
Note #2
It can also be fitted to vehicles, small boats and helicopters.
Dimensions
Length
600 mm
Diameter
72 mm
Missile Weight
11.5 kg
System Weight
18 kg (including launcher, battery cooling unit, and associated equipment)
Details
Country of Origin
China
Category
Man-Portable Air-Defense Systems (MANPADS)
Land > Air Defense > Man-Portable Air-Defense Systems (MANPADS)
Filter Label
F
Classification
Domain
Ground
Equipment Status
Active
Dimensions
Length
0.6 m
Width
0.07 m
Height
—
Weight
18 kg
Operators (9)
China
Pakistan
Bangladesh
Cambodia
Malaysia
Namibia
Peru
Qatar
Sudan
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