China tests new hypersonic anti-ship missile

A finalization test is commonly used to describe a system’s last major trial before the design phase concludes and production begins. The released footage shows multiple camera angles, including close-up views of the launch sequence.

According to China Military Bugle, a YJ-20 hypersonic missile was fired from a vertical launching system cell located in the aft section of the destroyer. The missile used a cold-launch method, meaning it was ejected from the launcher before its engine ignited. The report said the missile struck and destroyed its target.

“This is the first time an official media report has shown a live YJ-20 hypersonic anti-ship missile being fired from a warship,” the outlet said.

The YJ-20 missile was first publicly unveiled during China’s V-Day military parade in Beijing on September 3, alongside three other anti-ship missile types: the YJ-15, the YJ-19 hypersonic missile, and the YJ-17 hypersonic missile. Official Chinese media have said these weapons can be launched from multiple platforms, including carrier-based fighter aircraft, surface vessels, and submarines.

Chinese military affairs expert Zhang Junshe described the missile’s design and flight profile in comments to the Global Times. “Maneuverable missiles that can exceed Mach 5, or five times the speed of sound, are considered hypersonic missiles,” Zhang said.

He said that based on the missile’s appearance, the YJ-20 is a boost-glide weapon made up of a rocket booster and a bicone glide vehicle. “The bicone can form shock waves during hypersonic flight, which enables the missile’s air rudders to perform maneuvers during the missile’s terminal flight, boosting its defense penetration capabilities,” Zhang said.

Zhang also said the missile’s attack profile presents challenges for missile defense systems. “The YJ-20 can hit surface vessels via a nearly vertical angle like a ballistic missile, and with its hypersonic speed, it is very difficult to intercept,” he said.

According to Zhang, deploying the YJ-20 from platforms such as the Type 055 destroyer allows the PLA Navy to operate farther from China’s coastline. “Carried by platforms such as the Type 055 large destroyer, the YJ-20 can be deployed in the far seas, boosting the PLA Navy’s far seas combat capabilities, and enhancing China’s defense depth,” he said.

The Type 055 is the PLA Navy’s largest surface combatant and is widely viewed as a core platform for air defense, anti-ship warfare, and command roles within Chinese naval task groups. The release of the YJ-20 launch footage suggests the missile may be approaching operational service on frontline warships.