The FT-9 (Fei Teng , meaning “Soar” or “SkyRocket”) is a member of China’s FT series of guided munitions. Its defining feature is its small 50 kg (110 lb) warhead, making it one of the smallest precision-guided bombs in the world. It is designed for highly targeted strikes with a very small blast radius.
Key Characteristics and Capabilities:
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Guidance System: It is equipped with a GPS/INS (Global Positioning System/Inertial Navigation System) guidance kit. This provides all-weather, day-and-night capability to strike fixed coordinates with high accuracy. Some variants may also be equipped with a semi-active laser (SAL) seeker for engaging moving targets or for terminal refinement of the impact point.
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Warhead: As its name states, it uses a 50 kg (110 lb) high-explosive warhead. This small size is its key feature, designed to limit blast and fragmentation effects to a very confined area.
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Range: As a glide bomb, it has extendable fins that provide lift. While specific range figures are not public, its range is estimated to be several dozen kilometers when released from high altitude. Its lightweight design allows it to glide efficiently.
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Launch Platform: Its small size and weight make it ideal for platforms that need to carry a high number of munitions or that have limited payload capacity. Primary platforms include:
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UCAVs: The Wing Loong series can carry a large number of FT-9s, making them ideal for prolonged CAS (Close Air Support) loitering with multiple strike options.
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Light Attack Aircraft: such as the Hongdu L-15.
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Advanced Fighters: such as the J-10, J-16, and J-20. The J-20 stealth fighter can carry these in its internal weapons bay for stealthy, precision strikes without compromising its radar signature.
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Comparison with Similar Weapons:
The FT-9 fills a specific niche for small-scale precision. Here’s how it compares:
| Feature | Chinese FT-9 | US GBU-53/B StormBreaker (SDB II) | Chinese FT-8 | Chinese AR-2 Missile |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Weight Class | 50 kg (110 lb) | 93 kg (205 lb) | ~250 kg (~550 lb) | 45 kg (100 lb) |
| Warhead | 50 kg HE | ~50 kg multi-effects | ~250 kg HE | 20 kg HE |
| Guidance | GPS/INS (Laser option) | Tri-Mode (GPS, IIR, Laser, MMW Radar) | GPS/INS | Laser, IIR, or GPS/INS |
| Primary Role | Low-Collateral Damage Strike | Moving Targets in All Weather | General Purpose Precision Strike | UCAV-based Precision Strike |
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vs. the StormBreaker (SDB II): While similar in warhead size, the US StormBreaker is far more advanced. Its tri-mode seeker ( Imaging Infrared IIR, Laser, and Millimeter Wave Radar) is designed specifically to find and destroy moving targets like tanks and vehicles in any weather condition. The FT-9 is primarily for fixed targets, though a laser variant can hit moving ones if designated.
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vs. the FT-8: The FT-9 is a much smaller weapon. The FT-8 is for destroying buildings, bunkers, and hardened structures. The FT-9 is for striking a single room in a building, a car, or a small group of personnel without destroying the entire city block.
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vs. the AR-2 Missile: Both can be used on UCAVs. The key difference is that the AR-2 is a missile with a rocket motor (self-propelled), while the FT-9 is an unpowered glide bomb. The AR-2 has more kinetic energy and can be launched from a wider set of parameters, but the FT-9 is likely cheaper and can be carried in greater numbers.
Strategic Significance:
The FT-9 is significant because it:
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Minimizes Collateral Damage: It is the ideal weapon for urban combat or counter-insurgency (COIN) operations where striking with precision and avoiding civilian casualties is paramount. It allows for a strike on a single vehicle or a specific window in a building.
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Maximizes Ordnance Loadout: A single aircraft like a J-16 or a Wing Loong II drone can carry a very large number of these small bombs, enabling it to engage numerous targets in a single sortie.
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Enables Stealthy Operations: Its small size allows it to be carried internally by the J-20 stealth fighter. This gives China a capable platform for conducting clandestine, deniable precision strikes without any visible external ordnance that would increase its radar cross-section.
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Provides a Cost-Effective Solution: For many soft-target missions, using a large 500 lb or 1000 lb bomb is overkill and wasteful. The FT-9 provides a cheaper, more surgical alternative.
In summary, the FT-9 is a specialized, 50 kg precision glide bomb designed for surgical strikes where minimizing collateral damage is the highest priority. It is a key tool for modern asymmetric warfare and enhances the capabilities of China’s UCAV fleet and 5th-generation stealth fighters.
