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The HY-2 Hai Ying (), known in Western media as the '''Silkworm missile''', is an Anti-ship Cruise Missile made by China . SPECIFICATIONS It is based on the Russian SS-N-2 ''Styx'' missile, and has a maximum range of 95 km, with a 513 kilogram payload. '''Silkworm missiles''' are 7.36 metres long, and weigh 2988 kg. They can be launched from semi-mobile (towed) launchers or from ships. HISTORY The Silkworm was developed at the Institute of Mechanics under Tsien Hsue-shen , a Chinese-American scientist who fled the United States in 1955 after being suspected of Communist ties. The Silkworm gained fame in the 1980 s when it was used by both sides in the Iran-Iraq War ; both countries were supplied by China. More recently, the missile was used by Iraq in the 2003 Iraq War . In March 1988, China agreed to stop supplying Iran with HY-2 missiles, though it is reported that supply continued into 1989. Iran has since developed the capability to manufacture these missiles itself. Whilst not a particularly sophisticated missile when compared to others such as the Exocet , the Silkworm's unusually large warhead ensures that a single hit will inflict very serious damage. NAMING CONFUSION The name ''Silkworm'' may be slightly inaccurate. Coined by Western analysts, this term has been apparently used to refer to both HY-1 and '''HY-2''' missiles. The HY-1 missile, NATO codename '''CSS-C-2''' has been nicknamed both '''Silkworm''', and '''Sea Eagle''' (from the Chinese ''Haiying''). The HY-2 missile, NATO codename '''CSS-C-3''' has been nicknamed '''Seersucker''' and '''Silkworm'''. This is the missile China has exported to many Middle Eastern countries, and is the missile referred to in this article, and in the mainstream media. These weapons are, however, very similar to each other. EXTERNAL LINKS |
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