HQ-61A is the land-based version of the HQ-61. The original concept of HQ-61A was decided upon in 1976, with project definition finalised in 1979. In 1986 the system certification firing trials took place. Its final design certification was awarded in 1989, prior to production commencing.
The first operational units joined the PLA 38th Group Army SAM-AAA Air-Defense Brigade in 1989. The system was not produced in large numbers, given the arrival of the more capable HQ-7 system in 1990. HQ-61A has a maximum firing altitude of 10,000 m and a maximum slant range of 12,000 m.
A typical battery of HA-61A consists of 4 trucks each with 2 rail-mounted missiles on a turntable at the rear of the vehicle, mobile generators, command post vehicle, tracking and illuminating radar vehicle, a target indicating radar vehicle, and 24 missiles. Earlier version target indicating radar was similar to the one used on former Soviet SA-3 "Goa" system. The C-band radar system had the Chinese designation Type 571 and had two elliptic parabolic net-type reflectors.
Other features include moving target indication and frequency hopping agility. A typical target engagement would take place as follows: The target is first detected by target indication and radar vehicle. After being confirmed as hostile, the target is tracked and illuminated by the tracking and illuminating radar vehicle. When the target is within range one missile is launched.
