The Chinese YJ-12 and the Indian-Russian BrahMos are both advanced supersonic cruise missiles developed by their respective countries. The YJ-12 is a Chinese-made air-launched missile designed to be carried by fighter aircraft such as the J-16, J-11D, and H-6K, while the BrahMos is a joint venture between India and Russia and can be launched from multiple platforms, including land, air, and sea.
Both missiles are capable of flying at supersonic speeds of up to Mach 3 and have highly accurate guidance systems that include GPS, INS, and an active radar seeker. They are also capable of performing complex maneuvers to evade enemy defenses and can carry high explosive or fragmentation warheads. In this comparison, we will take a closer look at the features and capabilities of these two aircraft Brahmos and YJ-12 to help you understand the differences between them.
Engine
The YJ-12 and the BrahMos have different engines:
The YJ-12 is powered by a turbofan engine, which allows it to fly at high speeds and maintain its supersonic capabilities for a longer period of time. This gives the missile a longer range and a higher level of maneuverability. The exact specifications of the YJ-12’s engine are not publicly available, but it is believed to be a modified version of the WS-10 or WS-15 engine, which are used in Chinese fighter aircraft.
The BrahMos, on the other hand, is powered by a ramjet engine, which allows it to achieve high speeds of up to Mach 3. This engine is more efficient than a turbofan engine at high speeds and altitudes, allowing the missile to fly faster and farther than missiles with less advanced propulsion systems. The ramjet engine used in the BrahMos is a joint development between India and Russia, and is believed to be based on the Russian 3M55 Oniks missile.
Range
The YJ-12 has a longer range than the BrahMos, with an estimated range of over 300-400 km. This extended range is due to the missile’s high-speed turbofan engine, which allows it to travel farther than other supersonic missiles. The YJ-12’s range makes it well-suited for long-range strike missions against a variety of land and sea-based targets.
In comparison, the BrahMos has a range of around 250-300 km. While this is a shorter range than the YJ-12, the BrahMos is still capable of delivering a high-impact strike against a variety of targets, including ships, ground targets, and infrastructure. The missile’s ramjet engine allows it to fly at supersonic speeds throughout its flight, making it difficult to intercept by enemy defenses.
Guidance System
The YJ-12 and the BrahMos have different guidance systems, which contribute to their different capabilities.
The YJ-12 uses a combination of GPS, INS (Inertial Navigation System), and an active radar seeker to guide the missile to its target. The missile’s guidance system provides it with high accuracy and the ability to perform evasive maneuvers to avoid enemy defenses. The YJ-12’s guidance system also includes anti-jamming capabilities, which help to ensure that the missile can operate effectively in electronic warfare environments.
The BrahMos also uses a combination of GPS, INS, and an active radar seeker for guidance, but it also features an advanced terminal guidance system. This system uses images of the target area taken by the missile’s seeker to guide the missile to its target with a high degree of accuracy. The BrahMos is also capable of performing complex maneuvers during its flight, which make it more difficult to intercept by enemy defenses.
Warhead
The YJ-12 is designed to carry a high-explosive or fragmentation warhead, which can be effective against a variety of targets, including ships and ground targets. The exact specifications of the warhead are not publicly available, but it is believed to have a weight of around 200 kg.
The BrahMos is also designed to carry a high-explosive or fragmentation warhead, but it can also be equipped with a specialized warhead designed to penetrate hardened targets, such as concrete bunkers or underground facilities. The BrahMos’ warhead has a weight of around 300 kg and is capable of causing significant damage to its target.
Accuracy
Both the YJ-12 and the BrahMos are highly accurate missiles, capable of delivering precision strikes against a variety of targets. Both missiles use a combination of GPS, INS, and an active radar seeker for guidance, providing them with high accuracy and the ability to perform evasive maneuvers to avoid enemy defenses. The BrahMos also features an advanced terminal guidance system, which uses images of the target area taken by the missile’s seeker to guide the missile to its target with a high degree of accuracy. The exact accuracy of both missiles is not publicly available, but both are believed to be highly precise and effective against a variety of targets.
Sea-Skimming
Both the YJ-12 and the BrahMos are capable of performing sea-skimming maneuvers, which allow them to fly close to the surface of the water to avoid detection and interception by enemy defenses.
The YJ-12 is equipped with a high-speed turbofan engine, which allows it to fly at supersonic speeds throughout its flight, including during its sea-skimming phase. The missile’s guidance system is also designed to help it avoid obstacles and perform evasive maneuvers while flying close to the surface of the water.
Similarly, the BrahMos is also designed to perform sea-skimming maneuvers, thanks to its high-speed ramjet engine and advanced guidance system. The missile’s terminal guidance system is particularly effective during sea-skimming, allowing it to identify and track targets with a high degree of accuracy even in challenging environments.
Operational Platform and Variants
The BrahMos missile system is currently deployed on several platforms, including ground, naval, and air-based systems.
The ground-based variant of the BrahMos is known as the BrahMos-NG (Next Generation) and is a mobile missile system that can be deployed on various types of terrain. It is designed to be highly mobile, with a quick deployment time, and can be transported by road, rail, or air.
The naval variant of the BrahMos is the most widely deployed, with the missile system installed on a variety of ships, including destroyers, frigates, and submarines. The missile is launched vertically from the ship and can engage a range of targets, including ships and land-based targets.
The air-launched variant of the BrahMos is known as the BrahMos-A and is designed to be carried by various aircraft, including fighter jets and bombers. It has a range of up to 300 km and can be used for a variety of missions, including air-to-surface strikes and anti-ship missions.
There are also plans to develop a hypersonic version of the BrahMos missile, known as the BrahMos-II, which is currently in the testing phase. The BrahMos-II is expected to have a speed of Mach 7 and a range of up to 800 km.
Overall, the BrahMos missile system is a highly capable and versatile platform that can be deployed on a range of platforms, making it an effective weapon system for a variety of missions.
In Comparison, The YJ-12 missile is compatible with several aircraft, including the J-16, JH-7A, and H-6 bombers. It can also be launched from a variety of naval aircraft, including the J-15 fighter jet and the H-6 bomber, as well as from warships and submarines.
There are currently no known variants of the YJ-12 missile, although there have been reports of China developing an anti-ship ballistic missile, known as the DF-21D, which may share some technologies with the YJ-12.
Overall, the YJ-12 is a highly capable air-launched missile that is primarily designed for anti-ship missions. It can be launched from a variety of platforms, making it a versatile weapon system for the Chinese military.
Conclusion
In conclusion, both the YJ-12 and the BrahMos are highly capable missiles that are designed for anti-ship missions. They are both supersonic, have long ranges, and can perform evasive maneuvers to avoid enemy defenses. Both missiles use advanced guidance systems, including GPS, INS, and radar, to ensure high accuracy.
However, there are also some differences between the two missiles. The BrahMos is currently deployed on a wider range of platforms, including ground, naval, and air-based systems, while the YJ-12 is primarily an air-launched missile. The BrahMos also has a more advanced terminal guidance system, which allows it to identify and track targets with a high degree of accuracy.
Ultimately, the choice between the two missiles would depend on specific mission requirements, such as range, target type, and launch platform. Both missiles are highly capable and effective against a range of targets, and are considered to be some of the most advanced anti-ship missiles in the world.