NORINCO FHJ-84 (Type 84)

History

The FHJ-84 "Individual Anti-Chemical Rocket Launcher" - or "Type 84" - was designed in the early 1980s and officially launched in 1984 to serve the modern naval forces of the Chinese military. This product is developed and manufactured (currently) by the local defense company, North Industries Corporation (NORINCO). Several variations of the basic design have since emerged, including the "FHJ-01" and "FHJ-02," which are described below.

The system is similar to the American Cold War-era M202A1 FLASH 4-shot shoulder-fired gun described elsewhere on this site.

The FHJ-84 is unique as a portable shoulder-fired rocket launcher because it has an upper and lower double-barrel arrangement that provides two-shot capability. Each launch tube measures 62mm and fires an 11-pound projectile on demand that carries a variety of war loads - including smoke and incendiary materials.

Effective range is up to 660 feet and maximum range is 1,600 feet (with reduced point accuracy). Projectiles are fed into the weapon system through a detachable double-shot casing and aimed through a standard daytime scope. With a total weight of 18 pounds, the overall length of the unit is nearly four feet.

A typical operator consists of two people, although weapons can easily be fired by one.

Such battlefield solutions provided Chinese infantry with a powerful anti-infantry weapon, especially for the Marines tasked with attacking fortified positions as they moved inland from the beach. In previous wars, this role has been spearheaded by Marines and Army units using bulky (and highly dangerous) flamethrower systems that pose a huge threat to allies and enemies alike.

The FHJ-84/84 type is designed to counter this threat by providing a highly portable, fully encapsulated weapon system that can also be remotely operated with minimal difficulty and maintenance.

Variants of FHJ-84 are FHJ-01 and FHJ-02. The FHJ-01 is described in detail as an improved version of the original version, with improved day sights and a new projectile type that provides better performance and battlefield impact.

The FHJ-02 is more of a Multiple Rocket System (MLRS) as it has a full set of seven launch tubes and is piloted remotely by the crew.

Specification

Roles

Dimensions

Performance

Changes