US defense contractor Torch Technologies is building full-scale replicas of China’s HQ-22 surface-to-air missile system for US Air Force (USAF) training.
The Alabama-based firm said the mock-ups will be non-functional but will replicate the weapon’s appearance, radar profile, heat signature, and battlefield behavior to help aircrews and electronic warfare units recognize and counter the system.
According to the company, the replicas are intended to “increase realism for training and testing” while avoiding the risks of handling operational equipment. No information was released on the number of units, production timeline, deployment sites, or program cost.
Chinese System Replicas in USAF Training
This project follows the appearance of a Chinese HQ-16 surrogate target at the 2025 EAA AirVenture show in Oshkosh, Wisconsin, last July. That replica was developed to prepare USAF fifth-generation fighter pilots for identifying and responding to threats from Beijing’s layered air defense network.
HQ-22 Overview
Often likened to the US Patriot and Russian S-300, the HQ-22 is a long-range air defense missile with a 170-kilometer range. It can target fourth-generation aircraft, ballistic and cruise missiles, and drones. The export version, FK-3, is in service with Serbia — the first European operator.
