BEIJING — Newly released high-definition imagery and footage of the YJ-20 (YingJi-20 / Eagle Strike 20) hypersonic missile provide detailed technical insight into the People’s Liberation Army Navy’s (PLAN) expanding sea-based Anti-Access/Area-Denial (A2/AD) capabilities. Featuring a biconic aerodynamic maneuverable reentry vehicle (MaRV) coupled with a solid-fuel booster, the sea-launched hypersonic anti-ship ballistic missile (ASBM) is engineered to neutralize high-value surface combatants—including aircraft carriers—at standoff ranges exceeding 1,000 kilometers.
Initially integrated onto the PLAN’s Type 055 guided-missile destroyers and subsequently demonstrated on Type 052D destroyers, the YJ-20 utilizes China’s large-diameter universal vertical launch system (VLS). The platform combines high-altitude supersonic/hypersonic boost-glide mechanics with high-g terminal maneuvering capabilities, complicating missile defense tracking and interception for Aegis-equipped naval forces across the Indo-Pacific theater.
TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS: PLAN YJ-20 HYPERSONIC ANTI-SHIP BALLISTIC MISSILE (ASBM)
* System Classification: Ship-Launched Hypersonic Anti-Ship Ballistic Missile (ASBM) / Maneuverable Reentry Vehicle (MaRV)
* Primary Developer & User: People’s Republic of China / People’s Liberation Army Navy (PLAN)
* Missile Architecture: Two-stage solid-propellant booster paired with a biconic maneuverable reentry glide body
* Launch Platform Compatibility: Shipborne Universal Vertical Launch System (VLS) fitted on Type 055 and Type 052D destroyers
* Dimensional Parameters: Estimated hull diameter ~850 mm; canister-constrained VLS footprint
* Flight Performance Envelope:
* Speed Regime: Cruise/glide at Mach 6+; terminal dive speed up to Mach 10
* Operational Engagement Range: Estimated 1,000 to 1,500+ km (540–810 nautical miles)
* Flight Time: Approximately 8–10 minutes at maximum effective range
* Guidance & Targeting Suite:
* Mid-Course Guidance: BeiDou satellite navigation (GNSS) integrated with inertial navigation system (INS) and command link updates
* Terminal Guidance: Active radar seeker with high-g aerodynamic control surface actuation for terminal evasive maneuvering
* Operational Role & Mission Profile: Long-range precision strike against carrier strike groups (CSGs) and large surface combatants within contested littoral and blue-water maritime zones
