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YJ-21 Hypersonic Missile

YJ-21 Hypersonic Missile

Manufacturer: State-owned Chinese defense industry
Category: Missiles & Precision Weapons
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Guidance System INS/GPS + terminal radar/IR seeker
Maximum Speed Estimated Mach 8–10
Launch Compatibility Type 055 destroyers, H-6K bomber
Warhead Technology High-explosive or penetrator

Full Specifications

1. General Information

Name / Designation	YJ-21 / Yingji-21
Type / Role	Hypersonic Anti-Ship Strike Missile
Country of Origin	China
Manufacturer	State-owned Chinese defense industry
Service Entry / Year Introduced	Around 2022
Operational Status	Active

2. Performance & Range

Range	Estimated 1,000–1,500 km
Speed	Mach 8–10 (Hypersonic)
Ceiling / Altitude Limit	High-altitude boost with terminal dive
Accuracy (CEP)	Not publicly disclosed
Warhead Type	HE or Penetrator

3. Guidance & Targeting

Guidance System	INS/GPS midcourse, terminal seeker
Targeting Mode	Fire-and-Forget
Launch Platform Compatibility	Surface ship, bomber aircraft
Seeker Type	Radar or Imaging IR (reported)

4. Physical Characteristics

Length	Classified (estimated 8–9 m)
Diameter	Estimated 0.7–0.9 m
Wingspan	Not publicly known
Launch Weight	Estimated 4,000–5,000 kg
Propulsion	Solid-fuel rocket with hypersonic glide profile

5. Warhead & Payload

Warhead Weight	Estimated 500 kg class
Explosive Type	High-explosive / Penetrator
Detonation Mechanism	Impact or delay fuse
Payload Options	Conventional

6. Operational Use & Capabilities

Operational Range Type	Long
Deployment Platform	Sea, Air
Target Types	Warships, large surface targets
Combat Proven	No
Users / Operators	China

Our Rating

The overall rating is based on review by our experts

7.8

Technology 8 / 10
Performance 7 / 10
Maintenance Efficiency 8 / 10
Range & Endurance 8 / 10

PROS

Extremely high hypersonic speed reduces interception probability
Long-range engagement for stand-off maritime strike
Highly maneuverable terminal phase for survivability
Multi-platform launch capability (ship and bomber)
Capable of targeting large surface combatants

CONS

Limited publicly confirmed technical data
High production and integration cost
Complex maintenance requirements
Effective mostly against naval targets, not multi-role
Dependent on advanced targeting networks for full capability

YJ-21 Hypersonic Anti-Ship Strike Missile

The YJ-21 (Yingji-21), often described by analysts as one of China’s most advanced hypersonic anti-ship weapons, represents a major step forward in long-range maritime strike capability. First revealed publicly in 2022, the missile is believed to be engineered to counter high-value naval assets—particularly carrier strike groups—at extended stand-off ranges. Developed by Chinese state defense industries, the YJ-21 provides the People’s Liberation Army Navy (PLAN) with a fast-reaction, high-survivability strike option capable of penetrating modern air and missile defenses.

Design, Role & Deployment

The YJ-21 is typically launched from China’s Type 055 Renhai-class destroyers, though air-launched variants have also appeared under the wings of the H-6K bomber. Its main purpose is anti-ship and anti-surface precision strike, utilizing extreme maneuverability and hypersonic velocity to reduce interception chances.

Capabilities & Performance

Analysts estimate the missile’s range to exceed 1,000–1,500 km, depending on launch platform and variant. The YJ-21 is believed to reach Mach 8–10, enabling rapid time-to-target engagement and overwhelming defense systems with minimal warning. The missile reportedly uses an INS/GPS midcourse guidance suite with a terminal radar or infrared seeker, enabling precise end-game targeting against moving warships.

The YJ-21’s warhead is thought to be a large high-explosive or penetrating payload, optimized for destroying large surface combatants. Its maneuverable reentry vehicle (MaRV)-type profile enhances survivability by executing unpredictable terminal maneuvers.

Operational Importance

For China, the YJ-21 strengthens anti-access/area-denial (A2/AD) strategies in the Western Pacific. For U.S. military observers, the missile represents an emerging challenge to regional naval freedom of movement and is frequently analyzed in Pentagon and think-tank assessments of hypersonic technologies.

YJ-21 Hypersonic Missile Price in United State

The YJ-21 is not available for foreign military sale. Analysts estimate its per-unit cost—based on comparable hypersonic systems—to range between $10–15 million, depending on configuration and production scale.

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