Hypersonic anti-ship ballistic missile
The YJ-21 (Chinese: 鹰击-21; pinyin: Yīngjī-èryāo; lit. 'eagle strike 21') is a Chinese hypersonic anti-ship ballistic missile.[1][2] The missile is possibly based on an export-oriented ballistic missile produced by China, named CM-401, but with more advanced features and capabilities.[3] According to a 2023 People's Liberation Army Strategic Support Force article, the missile has a cruise speed of Mach 6, and a terminal speed of Mach 10.[4] The missile was revealed by Chinese Navy ahead of its 73rd anniversary, launching from a universal vertical launch system of the Type 055 destroyer.[1][5] An export version called YJ-21E was showcased in Airshow China 2022.[6]
Variants
- YJ-21
- Ship-launched ballistic missile.
- KD-21
- Air-launched ballistic missile. First shown in Airshow China 2022. The missile was marked with the designation 2PZD-21 (Chinese: 配重导弹; pinyin: Pèi zhòng dǎo dàn), which indicates that it is a missile counterweight or inert missile.[7] Four missiles can be carried at once by a H-6K bomber. This missile is derived from YJ-21[8] or CM-401 anti-ship ballistic missile.[9] The missile is speculated to serve both land attack and anti-ship roles, and serve alongside the larger KF-21 (NATO designation: CH-AS-X-13) aero-ballistic missile.[10][11]
Operators
See also
References
