FN-6A FN-6A is the vehicle-mounted version of FN-6, first revealed to the public in 2005. The system is based on a
Dongfeng EQ2050, weighing 4.6 tons in total. A one-man turret is sandwiched between two quadruple launchers, and the electro-optical fire control system (FCS) with IR, laser, and TV sensors. Contrary to the common arrangements on similar systems, the FCS of FN-6A is mounted under the launchers. Due to space limitations, the FCS is distributed between two places, one portion under one launcher and the other portion in the opposite launcher across the turret. A 12.7 mm heavy machine gun is added for additional protection. The vehicle is operated by a two-man crew, one driver and one weapon system operator. Communication gear and land navigation gear are standard. The modular design of the system enables other subsystems to be incorporated easily, such as IFF. The auxiliary power unit provides enough power for the system to operate continuously for more than 8 hours. The FCS of the FN-6A can lock on to a target away, and the reaction time is less than 5 seconds. Each vehicle can fight independently, but can be integrated with others to fight as a coherent unit by incorporating a command vehicle that is also based on the same vehicle chassis. The command vehicle provides a light, solid-state passive phased array radar to increase situational awareness and can direct up to 8 launching vehicles simultaneously. A command vehicle and 8 launching vehicles form an air defense company when fighting as a coherent unit, and this in turn can be integrated into larger air defense networks. Alternatively, the launching vehicle can be directly integrated into larger air defense networks without the need for the command vehicle. Each launching vehicle needs a support vehicle for resupply, and the support vehicle is also based on Dongfeng EQ2050 to reduce logistic costs. Each supply vehicle carries 24 missiles, and reloading each missile takes less than a minute. Similar to the
M1097 Avenger, each launcher is designed so that each missile can also be removed and fired by a soldier manually, like a regular MANPAD. Although effective against supersonic aircraft, for UAVs and missiles, the maximum target speed is limited to 300 meters per second.
FB-6A FN-6A did not enter mass production and served only in very limited numbers in Chinese forces, mainly for trial purposes. In the subsequent Zhuhai Airshows, followed by its original debut, FN-6A is replaced by its successor FB-6A, which did see greater numbers in service with Chinese forces. The general designer of the FB-6A system is Mr. Wei Zhigang (卫志刚), rumored also to be the general designer of FN-6A, the predecessor of FB-6A. The main difference between FN-6A and its successor FB-6A is that the SAM system is broken down into two portions in the latter, as opposed to a single unit in the former: FB-6A SAM system consists of two vehicles, one carrying the engagement radar, while the other carrying the missile. The search/engagement radar of FB-6A is planar array, and can be folded down in transit, but the developer has not revealed whether the radar itself is a phased array or not. However, the developer did claim that both the mechanically scanned planar array and the electronically scanned passive phased array are both available upon the customer's request, but it's not clear which one is in service with Chinese forces. The missile launching platform of FB-6A differs from its predecessor in that both the 12.7 mm heavy machine (HMG) for self-protection and the electro-optical fire control sight on that of FN-6A are removed, but a backup operator console is incorporated with bulletproof glass added between the launchers, though the FB-6A system can be operated with the vehicle. Although the 12.7 mm HMG no longer comes as standard equipment for the FB-6A, it can be added as an option and can be changed to other machine guns. The total numbers of missiles carried by the launching vehicle of FB-6A remains the same as FN-6A, which is eight. An upgraded version FB-6C, was unveiled at the 2016 Zhuhai Airshow. In March 2024 the
Namibian Army displayed the FB-6A System in
Windhoek as part of its independence celebrations.
FN-16 At the 7th
Zhuhai Airshow held at the end of 2008, China revealed a new addition to the FN series, FN-16. The FN-16 is an improvement of the earlier FN-6, with better all-aspect attack capability and better
resistance against electronic countermeasures. Another major improvement is in its seeker, which in addition to the original IR guidance, UV guidance is also incorporated, a practice adopted in the later version of
FIM-92 Stinger. Like its predecessor, FN-6, FN-16 can also be fitted with both IFF systems used on FN-6, and just like FN-6, FN-16 is re-designated as
FY-16 (Fei Ying = 飞鹰, meaning Flying Eagle) when equipped with
IFFs. The missile system is designed to counter fighter-bombers, attack aircraft, and helicopters. UAV, cruise missile etc. In addition to improved performance over the original FN-6/16 MANPADS, HN-6 incorporates a protective cap over the seeker of the missile, offering better protection against the environmental elements. Based on the photos and video clips of PLA training, this protective cap needs to be manually removed before firing the missile. HN-6 can also be incorporated into a portable tripod firing station similar to that of
RBS 70 and
Mistral. A seat is attached to the lightweight tripod firing stand that can be folded for transportation and storage, and the operator is protected by a bulletproof glass shield. ==Operational history==