LIMA 2025: China unveils standalone weapon launch system for aircraft

CATIC displayed a 1:1 scale model of its Standalone Weapon Fire Control System (designated as the WZHK-1) at LIMA 2025. (Janes/Akhil Kadidal)

In a bid to improve the sale of air-launched munitions, the China National Aero-Technology Import & Export Corporation (CATIC) displayed its Standalone Weapon Fire Control System (SWFCS) at the 2025 Langkawi International Maritime and Aerospace (LIMA) Exhibition held from 19 to 24 May in Malaysia. The system, also designated as WZHK-1 by China, is designed to allow foreign models of aircraft to operate Chinese missiles and bombs.

Speaking to Janes during the exhibition, a CATIC official said that the system is designed to equip a range of Chinese air-launched weapons and can be installed on existing weapon hardpoints.

“The system gives air forces around the world the ability to easily integrate Chinese-made weapons with their aircraft without requiring them to make software or hardware changes to the host aircraft,” the CATIC official said.

“The [SWFCS] uses a wireless data system that connects to a tablet in the cockpit that can be worn by the pilot. The tablet acts as a portable wireless controller that the pilot can use to launch the missiles,” the official added.

The tablet is designed to be fixed to the knee of the pilot while in flight, the official added.

Based on information presented by CATIC at the exhibition, Janes understands that the portable wireless controller also relays information to ground-based mission equipment via the RS-232 serial port on the aircraft. The RS-232 is a legacy standard used to connect devices before the widespread adoption of USB.