The Diplomat reported Iraqi CH-4B combat-drone footage from Anbar showing an AR-1/HJ-10 missile fired at an alleged ISIS target, and The War Zone later noted Iraq bought AR-1 missile stocks for its CH-4B fleet.
Munitions
AR-1 laser-guided air-to-surface missile
Also known as
- AR-1 missile
- AR-1 AGM
- Archer AR-1
The AR-1 is a Chinese laser-guided air-to-surface missile developed by the China Academy of Aerospace Aerodynamics for CH-series UAV carriage. Open reporting describes a semi-active laser and inertial-guided weapon with a 2 to 8 km range, blast or shaped-charge warheads, Iraqi CH-4B combat use against ISIS, and Nigerian CH-3A carriage in the Boko Haram insurgency.
Role in Conflicts
UAS Vision reported Nigerian CH-3 armed UAVs carried AR-1 missiles and struck Boko Haram positions, while HumAngle reported CH-3A strike activity in the northeast and AR-1 missile carriage during the insurgency.
Profile / Specs
Profile
- Origin
- China
- Type
- Laser-guided air-to-surface missile
Specifications
- Guidance
- Semi-active laser and inertial guidance
- Range
- About 2-8 km
- Launch weight
- About 45 kg
- Length
- About 1.4-1.45 m
- Diameter
- About 180 mm
- Warhead
- Blast-fragmentation or shaped-charge
- Carrier compatibility
- CH-3A and other CH-series UAVs
- Target class
- Armored vehicles, tanks, small buildings, and personnel
Variants
Open sources distinguish the baseline AR-1 from the later AR-1B precision missile. Blue Arrow-7/BA-7 and HJ-10 are treated as adjacent Chinese air-to-surface missiles rather than AR-1 aliases.
| Variant | Configuration | Designation notes |
|---|---|---|
| AR-1B | Later precision missile configuration | CSIS Missile Threat reported that CASC completed development of the AR-1B in 2018, with a 10 km range, Mach 1 maximum speed, wider seeker field of view, and shaped-charge or blast-fragmentation warhead options. Sources: CSIS AR-1B missile development |
Carrier UAVs
Open reporting links the AR-1 to Chinese CH-series strike drones.
| Carrier | Carrier type | Carriage evidence |
|---|---|---|
 | Unmanned combat aerial vehicle | The Diplomat describes the CH-3A as capable of fielding AR-1 laser-guided air-to-surface missiles; HumAngle also ties Nigerian CH-3A operations to AR-1 missile carriage in the Boko Haram insurgency. Sources: Is Myanmar Using Armed Chinese Drones For Counterinsurgency?, Drones Are Game Changers In The War Against Terrorism |
 | Medium-altitude armed UAV | The Diplomat reported Iraqi CH-4B footage showing an AR-1/HJ-10 missile fired at an ISIS target; Defense Update separately reported CH-4 Rainbow tests in which the aircraft launched AR-1 missiles under satellite control. Sources: Revealed: Chinese Killer Drones in Iraq, Defense Update upgraded CH-4 Rainbow, The Diplomat killer drone export order |
UAV Strike Load
The AR-1 is documented as a compact UAV-carried missile rather than a self-contained launch system. Its evidence base is strongest around CH-series aircraft, especially CH-3A and CH-4 export drones.
Carrier fit
CAAA and open reporting describe the weapon for CH-series UAV carriage, with CH-3A and CH-4 examples in catalog-linked records.
Strike role
The missile combines inertial guidance with semi-active laser terminal guidance for short-range attacks on vehicles, small structures, and personnel targets.
Combat record
Iraq reporting ties the AR-1/HJ-10 to CH-4B strikes against ISIS, while Nigeria reporting ties AR-1-armed CH-3 UAVs to operations against Boko Haram.
Adjacent missiles
Blue Arrow-7 / BA-7 is cataloged separately; sources treat it as a related Chinese UAV missile rather than an AR-1 alias.
Timeline
AR-1 laser-guided air-to-surface missile Key Events
IDEX brochure appearance
GlobalSecurity describes the AR-1 appearing in a 2009 IDEX brochure as a short-range air-to-surface missile promoted for medium and short-range UAVs.
Sources: AR-1 missile profile
Borno crash photos circulate
Shephard reported photographs of a crashed CH-3A in Nigeria's Borno Province, with one attached precision-guided weapon appearing to be an AR-1 air-to-ground missile.
Sources: Nigeria suspected of using Chinese UCAS
Iraq combat mission reported
The Diplomat reported Iraqi Ministry of Defense footage showing a CH-4B combat mission against ISIS in Anbar and an AR-1/HJ-10 missile fired at an alleged target.
Sources: Revealed: Chinese Killer Drones in Iraq
CH-4 AR-1 firing reported
Defense Update reported Chinese tests in which an upgraded CH-4 Rainbow drone used satellite control and launched AR-1 missiles at targets.
Sources: Defense Update upgraded CH-4 Rainbow
AR-1B development reported complete
CSIS Missile Threat reported that CASC had completed development of the AR-1B precision missile for armed reconnaissance and UAV missions.
Sources: CSIS AR-1B missile development
Indonesian CH-4 exercise use reported
Janes reported that Indonesian Air Force CH-4 UAVs were seen armed with larger AR-1 missiles during a 2019 exercise in East Java.
Sources: Janes Indonesia AR-2 missiles for CH-4 UAVs
Media
AR-1 laser-guided air-to-surface missile Images
Related Weapon Systems
Sources
AR-1 laser-guided missilePublisher: China Academy of Aerospace Aerodynamics | Note: Supports AR-1 manufacturer attribution and missile-family specifications, including semi-active laser guidance, inertial guidance, 2 km to 8 km range, and blast or shaped-charge warheads. | Accessed: 2026-06-27AR-1 missile profilePublisher: GlobalSecurity.org | Note: Supports AR-1 background, IDEX 2009 appearance, basic dimensions, launch weight, and the reported 2 km to 8 km range for the missile. | Accessed: 2026-06-27AR-1 laser-guided missile overviewPublisher: Military Periscope | Note: Supports image provenance for the AR-1 missile display image used on this page. | Accessed: 2026-06-27Is Myanmar Using Armed Chinese Drones For Counterinsurgency?Publisher: The Diplomat | Note: Supports CH-3A carriage context for the AR-1 missile, including reporting that the CH-3A can field AR-1 laser-guided air-to-surface missiles. | Accessed: 2026-06-27The Diplomat killer drone export orderPublisher: The Diplomat | Note: Supports CH-4 carriage context for AR-1/HJ-10 and distinguishes Blue Arrow 7 as another Chinese UAV-carried air-to-surface missile. | Accessed: 2026-07-01Revealed: Chinese Killer Drones in IraqPublisher: The Diplomat | Note: 2013 War in Iraq direct-use source: reports Iraqi CH-4B combat-drone footage from Anbar showing an AR-1/HJ-10 anti-tank missile fired at an alleged ISIS target. | Accessed: 2026-07-01Only One Of Iraq's Chinese CH-4B Drones Is Mission CapablePublisher: The War Zone | Note: 2013 War in Iraq direct-use source: reports Iraq purchased AR-1 missile stocks for CH-4B drones and that Iraqi CH-4Bs carried out strikes against ISIS between 2015 and 2018. | Accessed: 2026-07-01CSIS AR-1B missile developmentPublisher: CSIS Missile Threat | Note: Supports AR-1B designation, 2018 reported development completion, UAV mission role, Mach 1 speed, 10 km range, wider seeker field of view, and warhead options. | Accessed: 2026-07-01AKD-10 / Blue Arrow 7 / BA-7 - anti-tank missilePublisher: GlobalSecurity.org | Note: Supports treating Blue Arrow 7 / BA-7 as an AKD-10 export-related missile rather than an AR-1 alias. | Accessed: 2026-07-01Nigerian Air Force Acquires Yabhon Flash-20 UAVsPublisher: UAS Vision | Note: 2009 Boko Haram Insurgency direct-use source: reports Nigerian CH-3 armed UAVs were armed with AR-1 missiles and used to strike Boko Haram positions. | Accessed: 2026-07-01Drones Are Game Changers In The War Against TerrorismPublisher: HumAngle | Note: 2009 Boko Haram Insurgency direct-use source: reports Nigerian Air Force CH-3A drones in the Boko Haram war as capable of deploying AR-1 guided missiles and YC-200 guided bombs. | Accessed: 2026-07-01Armed Drones Making A Strong Entrance In Nigeria's Anti-Terror CampaignPublisher: HumAngle | Note: 2009 Boko Haram Insurgency direct-use source: reports a Nigerian CH-3A drone strike against Boko Haram insurgents in the northeast and states CH-3A drones could fire AR-1 guided missiles. | Accessed: 2026-07-01Nigeria suspected of using Chinese UCASPublisher: Shephard Media | Note: 2009 Boko Haram Insurgency direct-use source: reports a crashed apparent CH-3A in Borno Province with one attached precision-guided weapon appearing to be an AR-1 air-to-ground missile. | Accessed: 2026-07-01Defense Update upgraded CH-4 RainbowPublisher: Defense Update | Note: Supports CH-4 AR-1 missile firing tests, satellite-control context, and CH-4 carriage of AR-1 missiles. | Accessed: 2026-07-01Janes Indonesia AR-2 missiles for CH-4 UAVsPublisher: Janes | Note: Supports Indonesian CH-4 context, including 2019 exercise carriage of AR-1 missiles and AR-2 delivery context. | Accessed: 2026-07-01