Torch Technologies, a US-based defense contractor, is producing lifelike replicas of China’s HQ-22 air defense missile system for the US Air Force. While non-functional, these mock-ups will mimic the real system’s physical design, radar signature, heat output, and operational behavior to improve training realism for aircrews and electronic warfare specialists.
The company stated that the replicas aim to enhance training and testing environments without the hazards associated with handling live foreign weapon systems. No information has been released on the number of replicas, delivery timelines, deployment locations, or project costs.
The USAF has previously employed Chinese system replicas for training, including the HQ-16 surrogate unveiled at Wisconsin’s AirVenture 2025. The HQ-16 plays a role in China’s layered air defense network and has been used to train American pilots in threat recognition and tactical response.
The HQ-22, often compared to the Patriot and S-300 systems, boasts a range of 170 kilometers and can target multiple aerial threats simultaneously. Its export model, the FK-3, has been inducted into Serbian service, expanding its presence beyond Asia.
