Additional Coverage:
- World War 3 fears sees U.S. firm build replicas of China’s surface-to-air missile system (themirror.com)
Huntsville Firm Building Decoy Missile Systems for Military Training
An Alabama company is playing a key role in preparing US aircrews for potential future conflicts. Torch Technologies’ Integration and Prototyping Center (TIPC), based in Huntsville, is manufacturing highly accurate replicas of the Chinese HQ-22 surface-to-air missile system. These decoys will serve as realistic threat targets in military training exercises.
The HQ-22 replica is designed to mimic the appearance, capabilities, and operational characteristics of the actual Chinese system. This allows the US Air Force to train against a full-scale representation of the HQ-22, which boasts layered radar and missile engagement zones, without needing access to the actual foreign equipment. This follows the Air Force’s previous use of an HQ-16 replica, another Chinese air defense system, demonstrating a concerted effort to simulate a range of potential threats.
Air Force officials have stressed the importance of realistic training environments to prepare aircrews for the challenges of modern warfare. These replica systems provide a crucial tool for pilots, sensor operators, and strategic planners to hone their skills in identifying and neutralizing enemy air defenses.
The development of these decoy systems comes as the Air Force undergoes a significant transformation, focusing on maintaining air superiority in the face of evolving threats from countries like Russia, China, and North Korea. Major General Kunkel expressed confidence in the Air Force’s direction, stating, “We are on the verge of something great.
We have the right people in place to develop the right capabilities. We figured out what it takes to win, and we are aggressively pursuing those things.”
While the specific deployment plans for the HQ-22 replicas remain classified, they are expected to be integrated into specialized training facilities and large-scale military exercises.