Back in September this year, the Chinese mainland showcased its latest hypersonic weapons during the Victory Day military parade. Among the stars were four anti-ship missiles: the YJ-15 and the hypersonic YJ-19, YJ-17 and YJ-20. 🚀
These missiles aren’t just fast—they pack a punch. With long range, extreme speed and tremendous destructive power, they’re built to strike hostile forces at sea. Plus, they’re versatile: shipborne aircraft, surface vessels and submarines can all launch them.
So what’s under the hood? Modern hypersonics rely on two main aerodynamic shapes: waverider and biconic-shaped body. Let’s zoom in. 🔍
Waverider: Imagine a sleek, flat-fronted craft skimming along a shock wave like a stone skipping across a pond. When a waverider flies faster than sound, it pushes air into an invisible “wall,” then rides that wall for lift. Pretty neat, right?
Biconic-shaped body: Instead of a flat front, biconic shapes use two connected cones to manage airflow. This design balances lift and stability at hypersonic speeds, making it ideal for different mission requirements.
By combining cutting-edge designs with proven platforms, the Chinese mainland is taking its naval strike capabilities to new heights—literally. For young aerospace fans and defense tech buffs, these missiles are the ones to watch! 👀
Reference(s):
A look at the designs of China's newly-unveiled hypersonic missiles
cgtn.com
