China has reportedly tested its highly classified hypersonic air-to-air missile, which is believed to present an unprecedented threat to America’s B-21 stealth bomber.
According to a South China Morning Post report, the missile recently underwent “extreme heat resistance testing” to meet the stringent requirements of the People’s Liberation Army Air Force.
Chinese scientists reportedly tested the missile using an arc-heated wind tunnel, which simulates the extreme heat of hypersonic flight. These tunnels are typically used for space missions, such as simulating Mars landings.
Reports suggest the missile could reach speeds over Mach 5 and travel more than 1,000 kilometers, far surpassing the range of existing Chinese air-to-air missiles, such as the PL-17. These capabilities could allow China to target high-value assets like bombers, refueling aircraft, and early-warning planes from much greater distances.
Hunting AWACS & Air Tanker, #China revealed PL-17 Air-launched Missilehttps://t.co/2BEczmMn15 pic.twitter.com/h2YrrlnQoj
— PAF Falcons (@PAFFalconsPK) December 6, 2023
Potential launch platforms for the missile include China’s J-20 stealth fighter and the J-16 multirole aircraft, both of which have the range and payload capacity to carry advanced weapons. The H-6K bomber, which can carry long-range missiles, may also serve as a launch platform for the missile.
China’s J-20 stealth fighter jet is “combat-ready,” says its chief designer. #J20 pic.twitter.com/oUHGRvxK3V
— China Xinhua News (@XHNews) March 25, 2018
Meanwhile, the B-21 Raider, developed by Northrop Grumman, is the U.S. military’s first newly designed strategic stealth bomber in over 30 years. Unveiled in December 2022, the B-21 is intended for long-range strike missions and can carry both nuclear and conventional payloads.
Last week, President Donald Trump signed an executive order to direct the development of a missile defense system modeled after Israel’s Iron Dome to protect the United States from advanced missile threats, including ballistic, hypersonic, and cruise missiles.
Reports indicate that the executive order will also fast-track the development and deployment of advanced missile defense technologies, such as space-based interceptors, hypersonic and ballistic tracking systems, and non-kinetic defense capabilities.
Additionally, the order will require a review of the country’s current missile defense posture and promote greater cooperation with U.S. allies on defense technology.
