BRE (rocket)

BRE (export name: Fire Dragon/King Dragon)^[1] is a series of guided rockets (missiles) manufactured by Chinese Norinco.^[2]

The largest version is the BRE8, export name Fire Dragon 480^[3][4] (previously Fire Dragon 280A). It is a 750 mm tactical ballistic missile , with a 480 kg warhead and range of 280–300 km, for the AR-3 launcher. It uses inertial plus satellite guidance with a CEP accuracy of about 30m.^{[5][6][7][8][9]}

A similar missile is the 610 mm caliber King Dragon 300, with a range of 300 km and precision guidance, for the SR-5 launcher.^[2][10][11]

The rockets are currently in service with the People's Liberation Army, as the PHL-16.

Variants

Unguided 122mm

• Standard HE: High explosive warhead. 40 km range.^[12]
• BRE1: High explosive warhead. 50 km range.^[12]

Guided 122mm

• BRE7/Fire Dragon 40A: 40 km range. GPS/INS guided with CEP 25m and minimum distance 20 km.^[12][13]

Guided 220mm

• GR1/King Dragon 60: 70 km range. Terminal laser homing guidance and GPS/INS guided. Minimum range 25 km.^[12][13]

Unguided 300mm

• BRC3: Cargo warhead, 70 km range^[14]
• BRC4: Cargo warhead, 130 km range^[14]
• BRE2: High explosive warhead, 130 km range^[14][15]

Guided 300mm

• BRE3/FD140A: 130 km range; also known as Fire Dragon 140A^[14]

Guided 370mm

• BRE6/FD220: 220 km range, 30m CEP^[14]

Guided 750mm

• BRE8/FD280: 360 km range for BRE8, 280 km range, 30m CEP for export version Fire Dragon 480^[14]

Anti-ship missiles 380mm^[16]

• TL-7B^[17]

References

1. "Eva Zheng 郑怡斌 عائشة on Twitter".
2. "More capable rocket system [INDODEF16-D1] - Jane's 360". www.janes.com.
3. "East Pendulum on Twitter".
4. "China Ballistic Missiles and Nuclear Arms Thread".
5. "DSA 2018: China's Norinco reveals Fire Dragon 280A tactical missile". 19 April 2018.
6. "DSA 2018: China unveils new Fire Dragon missile - LWI - Land Warfare - Shephard Media". www.shephardmedia.com.
7. "Long-range firepower [IDX15D2] - Jane's 360". www.janes.com.
8. "Ballistic and cruise missile threat" (PDF). fas.org. 2017. Retrieved 2019-10-27.
9. "珠海航展上的中国新火箭炮，让美国人聊以自慰的资本所剩无几！_制导". www.sohu.com. 5 November 2018.
10. Eshel, Noam (2014-11-14). "Airshow China 2014 Photo Report - Strike Weapons". Defense Update. Retrieved 2019-10-27.
11. "Airshow China 2014 Photo Report - Strike Weapons - Defense Update". 14 November 2014.
12. "SR5 SR-5 Guided Multiple Launch Rocket System GMLRS MLRS 122mm 220mm | China artillery vehicles and weapon systems UK | Chinese China army military equipment armoured UK".
13. https://fas.org/irp/threat/missile/bm-2020.pdf^{[bare URL PDF]}
14. Foss, Christopher F. (24 February 2015). "Long-range firepower [IDX15D2]". Jane's 360. from the original on 12 November 2018. Retrieved 12 November 2018.
15. "AR3 370mm MRLS multiple rocket launcher system data sheet specifications information description UK | China artillery vehicles and weapon systems UK | Chinese China army military equipment armoured UK".
16. "DSA 2018: China's NORINCO Showcasing TL-7B Anti-ship Missile".
17. Verma, Vivek (7 April 2020). "Appraisal of PLA Artillery Modernisation". Issue Briefs. No. 220. Centre for Land Warfare Studies (published April 2020). Retrieved 8 September 2020.