Oh right. Got the HGV and HCM confused oops.
Chinese Hypersonic Developments (HGVs/HCMs)
- Thread starter A.Man
- Start date
YJ-17 and YJ-20 look sized right to me.
And yes, they would utilize the full dimensions of the UVLS. Remember the UVLS diameter is 0.85m, so the missile itself is a bit smaller than that to account for the missile canister wall. Then remember that YJ-20 (and also likely YJ-17) is cold launched, which shaves off a bit of the maximum canister 9m length to account for the cold launch mechanism.
The total height of the VLS itself is about 12m (see below). The 9m is likely to be fully used since the other 3m is for the cold launch mechanism.
well clearly they couldn't produce it enmass, or it was too issue prone to produce enmass. Or it would be a very helpful tool in Ukraine
These are far too wide to be UVLS canisters.
Those are not canister, those are 2x2 UVLS cells that are going to be installed on ship.
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That seems doubtful to me because it would imply the lower cold launch mechanism would also be utilized for the shorter length cells as well such as 7m etc, whereas it makes more sense for cold launch mechanisms to be integral to each missile canister.
The additional length near the base makes more sense to be something structural instead.
Time for a much-needed post-parade update!
Summing up what we've known about China's hypersonic missile arsenal, so far. The list may not be exhaustive. (Updated 3 September 2025)
Visually Confirmed/Officially Announced:
Rumored/Claimed/Mentioned:
Note:
- Only in-active-service, about-to-enter-service and presently-in-development models are included in the list.
- Classification of ranges for SRBM (<1000 kilometers), MRBM (1000-3000 kilometers), IRBM (3000-8000 kilometers), ICBM (>8000 kilometers), FOBS (complete global coverage) respectively.
Summing up what we've known about China's hypersonic missile arsenal, so far. The list may not be exhaustive. (Updated 3 September 2025)
Visually Confirmed/Officially Announced:
| Model | Type | Range-Equivalent | Launch Platform |
| DF-16B | Bi-conical HGV | MRBM | TEL |
| DF-17 | Wave-rider HGV | MRBM | TEL |
| DF-26B/D | Bi-conical HGV | IRBM | TEL |
| YJ-17 | Wave-rider HGV | MRBM | UVLS cells of DDG |
| YJ-19 | Air-breathing HCM | SRBM | Torpedo tubes of SSK and SSN |
| YJ-20 | Bi-conical HGV | MRBM | UVLS cells of DDG |
| YJ-21/KD-21 | Bi-conical HGV | MRBM | H-6K/J/N |
| CJ-1000 | Air-breathing HCM | MRBM/IRBM | TEL |
| JL-1 | Bi-conical HGV | IRBM/ICBM | H-6N |
| DF-5C | Wave-rider HGV(?) | FOBS | Silo |
Rumored/Claimed/Mentioned:
| Model | Type | Range-Equivalent | Launch Platform |
| DF-27 | Wave-rider HGV | IRBM | TEL |
| DF-19 (successor to DF-17) | Wave-rider HGV | MRBM(?) | TEL |
| YJ-XX | Air-breathing HCM(?) | SRBM(?)/MRBM(?) | IWB/underwing pylons of fighters |
| YJ-XX (UVLS-adapted YJ-19) | Air-breathing HCM | MRBM | UVLS cells of DDG |
| YJ-XX/DF-XX | Bi-conical HGV/Wave-rider HGV | MRBM(?)/IRBM(?) | H-20 |
| YJ-XX/DF-XX | Air-breathing HCM | MRBM(?)/IRBM(?) | H-20 |
| YJ-XX/DF-XX (successor to JL-1(?)) | Bi-conical HGV/Wave-rider HGV | IRBM/ICBM(?) | H-6N |
| DF-XX (Next-gen ICBM RV(?)/FOBS(?)) | Wave-rider HGV(?) | ICBM/FOBS | TEL/Silo |
Note:
- Only in-active-service, about-to-enter-service and presently-in-development models are included in the list.
- Classification of ranges for SRBM (<1000 kilometers), MRBM (1000-3000 kilometers), IRBM (3000-8000 kilometers), ICBM (>8000 kilometers), FOBS (complete global coverage) respectively.