BRE (rocket) explained

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

The largest version is the BRE8, export name Fire Dragon 480^[2] (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.^{[3] [4] [5] [6]}

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.^{[7] [8]}

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.
• BRE1: High explosive warhead. 50 km range.

Guided 122mm

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

Guided 220mm

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

Unguided 300mm

• BRC3: Cargo warhead, 70 km range^[9]
• BRC4: Cargo warhead, 130 km range^[9]
• BRE2: High explosive warhead, 130 km range^[9]

Guided 300mm

• BRE3/FD140A: 130 km range; also known as Fire Dragon 140A^[9]

Guided 370mm

• BRE6/FD220: 220 km range, 30m CEP^[9]

Guided 610mm

• King Dragon 300: 300 km range

Guided 750mm

• BRE8/FD280: 360 km range for BRE8, 280 km range, 30m CEP for export version Fire Dragon 480^[9]

Anti-ship missiles 380mm^[10]

• TL-7B^[11]

Notes and References

1. Web site: More capable rocket system [INDODEF16-D1] - Jane's 360]. www.janes.com.
2. Web site: China Ballistic Missiles and Nuclear Arms Thread. 4 November 2005 .
3. Web site: DSA 2018: China unveils new Fire Dragon missile - LWI - Land Warfare - Shephard Media. www.shephardmedia.com.
4. Web site: Long-range firepower [IDX15D2] - Jane's 360]. www.janes.com.
5. Web site: Ballistic and cruise missile threat . fas.org . 2017 . 2019-10-27.
6. Web site: 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. 5 November 2018. www.sohu.com.
7. Web site: Airshow China 2014 Photo Report - Strike Weapons. Eshel. Noam. 2014-11-14. Defense Update. en-US. 2019-10-27.
8. Web site: Airshow China 2014 Photo Report - Strike Weapons - Defense Update. 14 November 2014.
9. Web site: Foss . Christopher F. . Long-range firepower [IDX15D2] ]. Jane's 360 . 24 February 2015 . 12 November 2018 . https://web.archive.org/web/20181112101758/https://www.janes.com/article/49332/long-range-firepower-idx15d2 . 12 November 2018 . live.
10. Web site: DSA 2018: China's NORINCO Showcasing TL-7B Anti-ship Missile.
11. Verma . Vivek . 7 April 2020 . Appraisal of PLA Artillery Modernisation . Issue Briefs . . April 2020 . 220 . 8 September 2020 .