CASC showcases TL-4 missile system at WDS 2024

At the World Defense Show (WDS) 2024, the China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation (CASC) is showcasing the TL-4 missile system. With an effective operational range of up to 6 kilometers, this system is equipped to handle a variety of combat scenarios and designed to engage both stationary and moving targets.

The TL-4 missile system boasts an array of technical specifications, including a minimum engagement range of 500 meters and a maximum of 6000 meters. Its capability to penetrate over 320mm of rolled homogeneous armor (RHA) covered with explosive reactive armor (ERA) and to breach C35 reinforced concrete up to 1000mm thick underscores its destructive potential. The missile ensures a high hit probability of 290% against both stationary and moving targets, thanks to its advanced guidance system that combines uncooled imaging infrared (IIR) and electro-optic CCD image homing with a bidirectional wireless data link. Initiated in 2014, the development of the TL-4 anti-tank missile, he’s engineered to neutralize tanks, armored vehicles, and fortifications effectively.

The system’s flexibility is further enhanced by its dual firing modes: “lock-on before launch” for fire-and-forget operations and “lock-on after launch” with a man-in-the-loop capability, allowing for in-flight target adjustment. Such versatility ensures that the missile can be employed effectively throughout the day, in all weather conditions, and in varied terrain, underlining its high adaptability to battlefield environments.

The TL-4’s design also prioritizes survivability and mobility, featuring a missile-in-canister setup for rapid deployment and secure storage, ensuring a storage lifespan of up to 10 years and operational reliability in extreme conditions ranging from -40°C to +55°C. Its high degree of automation and simple operation reduce the training cycle for operators, while the top attack trajectory capability enables it to overcome reactive and main armor defenses of modern main battle tanks.

This missile system can be deployed from multiple platforms, including light vehicles, all-terrain vehicles, ground tripods, and helicopters, enhancing its operational flexibility. A single anti-tank missile team, comprising six launching vehicles (LVs) including one command and launch vehicle (CLV), can form a anti-tank unit, with the potential for further integration into larger battalion-sized formations.

The light launching vehicle (LLV) technical specifications highlight the system’s mobility and combat readiness, featuring rapid reloading and transition times, and a significant operating range and speed.

Similarly, the man-portable missile weapon system emphasizes the TL-4’s versatility, offering infantry units a highly mobile and effective anti-tank solution suitable for diverse environments.

Moreover, the TL-4 system’s adaptability extends to aerial platforms, enabling UAVs and helicopters to conduct non-line-of-sight attacks with high accuracy, further enhancing its role as a multi-domain combat solution.

The China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation (CASC) is the main contractor for the Chinese space program. It is state-owned and has a number of subordinate entities which are engaged in the design, development, and production of a broad spectrum of aerospace components. This includes spacecraft, launch vehicles, as well as strategic and tactical missile systems alongside essential ground equipment.