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Missile ForcesChina

QW Family (QW-1, QW-2, QW-3) of

Man-portable infrared guided surface-to-air missilesFielded 1992Pending verification
Missile ForcesCHN
Identification silhouette. Not drawn to scale between entries.
Fact cardConfidence · Source
System
TypeMan-portable infrared guided surface-to-air missiles
Date of introduction1992
ProliferationAt least 7 countries
GuidanceInfrared Imaging Guidance SystemMed[1]
Flight performance
PropulsionRocket; SolidMed[1]
Payload and range
Performance QW-1: speedMach 1.81Med[1]
Performance QW-1: minimum engagement altitude30 mMed[1]
Performance QW-1: maximum engagement altitude4,000 mMed[1]
Performance QW-1: minimum range0.5kmMed[1]
Performance QW-1: maximum range5 kmMed[1]
Performance QW-1: warhead1.5kg HE / FragMed[1]
Performance QW-1: fuzeImpactMed[1]
Performance QW-1: self destruct time14 - 18 secondsMed[1]
Performance QW-1: battery life50 secondsMed[1]
Performance QW-1: ready from the marchIn 10 secondsMed[1]
Performance QW-2: speedMach 1.81Med[1]
Performance QW-2: minimum engagement altitude10mMed[1]
Performance QW-2: maximum engagement altitude3,500mMed[1]
Performance QW-2: minimum range0.5 kmMed[1]
Performance QW-2: maximum range6 kmMed[1]
Performance QW-2: warhead1.42kg HEMed[1]
Performance QW-2: fuzeActive laserMed[1]
Performance QW-3: speedMach 2.2Med[1]
Performance QW-3: minimum altitude4 mMed[1]
Performance QW-3: maximum altitude5,000 mMed[1]
Performance QW-3: minimum range8 mMed[1]
Performance QW-3: maximum range8,000 mMed[1]
Guidance System: qw-1 / qw-2InfraredMed[1]
Guidance System: qw-3Semi-active LaserMed[1]
Guidance System: qw-4Imaging LaserMed[1]
Variants
QW-1MQW-1M is a development of QW-1, and first revealed in Zhuhai Air Show. The missile is considered as a third generation MANPAD by Chinese, and many domestic Chinese media sources claim that it is the Chinese equivalent of Soviet SA-18 Grouse, which it strongly…[1]
QW-1AQW-1A is a derivative of QW-1M, with the adaptation of man-portable radar weighing 30 kg and a range of 15 km, and it is carried by the observer.[1]
QW-11 (QW-1G)QW-11 is a development of QW family that is specifically designed to engage terrain hugging cruise missiles, while retaining the capability of engaging low-flying aircraft. QW-11 was first revealed at Zhuhai Air Show in 2002.[1]
QW-11GImproved version of QW-11 with enhanced ECCM capability was displayed at same Zhuai Air Show with QW-11 in 2002. The suffix G stands for Gaijin or Gailiang in Chinese, meaning improvement.[1]
QW-18QW-18 is the development of the QW-11G with an improved seeker. QW-18 first appeared in Zhuai Air Show with QW-11 and QW-11G in 2002.[1]
QW-2QW-2 is a missile with all aspect attack capability and improved ECCM capability. There are two types of seeker for QW-2: the first is the dual band infrared passive seeker first revealed in 1998, and an imaging IR (ImIR) seeker has been designed sometimes…[1]
QW-3This is the Chinese equivalent of French Mistral missile, with fuse developed from that of QW-2. The missile is unique among Chinese MANPAD in that this is the only surface-to-air missile that adopts the semi-active laser guidance similar to AGM-114 Hellfire.[1]
QW-4The newest member of QW series with the fuze similar to that of QW-2, and a new thermal imaging seeker. The new fully electric control surfaces provide smoother flight path curves, thus greatly improved accuracy.[1]
Summary

The QW-1 (Qianwei-Advanced Guard) Vanguard infrared-guided surface-to-air missile (SAM) is similar in appearance to the U.S. FIM-92 Stinger. It was first developed as a replacement for the HN-5 shoulder-launched SAM (the Chinese version of the Russian SA-7 Grail), but is also can be deployed on light helicopters.

Draft entry. Values come from the cited public sources and are awaiting editor verification.
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Operators
BangladeshChinaIndonesiaMalaysiaPakistanSouth Sudan
Sources
  1. QW Family (QW-1, QW-2, QW-3) of Chinese Man-Portable Infrared Guided Surface-to-Air Missiles, U.S. Army TRADOC G-2 Worldwide Equipment Guide (ODIN)
    Published/updated 2026-03-20 · Tier 1 · checked 2026-10-10
Change log
  • 2026-10-10 Entry created from the Worldwide Equipment Guide (ODIN), bulk import