The YJ-17’s core capability lies in its hypersonic speed and evasive maneuvers, rendering it nearly untouchable by current missile defense systems.
China’s YJ-17 missile stands out as a groundbreaking advancement in the evolving domain of hypersonic weaponry. As part of the People’s Liberation Army Navy’s (PLAN) arsenal, the YJ-17 (Ying Ji-17), Beijing is demonstrating their commitment to dominating the maritime domain through superior speed and precision. This hypersonic anti-ship glide vehicle, unveiled during preparations for a major military parade this year, underscores China’s push to become the anti-access/area-denial (A2/AD) power of the Indo-Pacific.
What Is a “Hypersonic Glide Vehicle,” and How Did China Build One?
With its ability to travel at speeds exceeding Mach 5, the YJ-17 hypersonic missile is designed to evade traditional defenses, making it a pivotal tool in potential conflicts over the South China Sea (SCS) or Taiwan Strait.
Developed by entities within the China Aerospace Science and Industry Corporation (CASIC), the YJ-17 draws from indigenous research and possibly reverse-engineered foreign technologies, such as Russian scramjet designs. Unlike earlier subsonic missiles like the YJ-83, or conventional hypersonic missiles such as the YJ-12, the new YJ-17 incorporates “hypersonic glide vehicle” (HGV) elements, allowing it to detach from a booster and maneuver unpredictably. The missile’s official unveiling is slated for September 3, highlighting Beijing’s rapid expansion of missile technology amid the global arms race.
The YJ-17 hypersonic anti-ship missile boasts impressive specifications that set it apart in modern warfare. It is estimated to achieve speeds up to Mach 8, far surpassing the Mach 2-4 of predecessors like the YJ-12. Its range is projected at around 746 miles, enabling strikes on distant naval targets without exposing launch platforms to immediate counterfire. The missile’s nose design suggests a waverider configuration, which generates life from shockwaves during hypersonic flight, enhancing efficiency and maneuverability.
Primarily ship-launched from vertical launch systems (VLS) on advanced destroyers, like the Type 055, the YJ-17 may also be adaptable for air and submarine launches. It employs a rocket booster to reach initial speeds, potentially transitioning to a ramjet or scramjet for sustained hypersonic propulsion.
A narrow slit indicates air-breathing capabilities, though some analysts speculate it could function as an unpowered glide vehicle post-boost. Guidance integrates inertial navigation, satellite positioning via BeiDou, and active radar homing for terminal phases, ensuring high accuracy even against moving targets. The warhead, likely 661-1,102 pound high-explosive or armor-piercing, is optimized for penetrating heavily defended warships.
The YJ-17’s core capability lies in its hypersonic speed and evasive maneuvers, rendering it nearly untouchable by current missile defense systems—even America’s vaunted AEGIS or Patriot systems. The missile’s extreme speed compresses reaction times for defenders, overwhelming sensors and interceptors. As an anti-ship missile, the YJ-17 can be used to target aircraft carriers, destroyers, and amphibious assault vessels—but in the future, experts note potential for adaptation to land-attack roles, expanding its versatility in A2/AD operations.
America Doesn’t Have a Defense Against the YJ-17 Yet
In mass-firing schemes, the YJ-17 could saturate enemy defenses when combined with other PLA assets, such as drones or ballistic missiles. Its glide vehicle design allows erratic trajectories, dodging radar locks and complicating predictions. This positions China as a leader in hypersonic naval strike power, with the YJ-17 forming part of a layered arsenal that includes the scramjet-powered YJ-19 and ballistic YJ-20.
Compared to Western systems, the YJ-17 outpaces the US Navy’s subsonic Tomahawk or emerging hypersonic weapons, like the Hypersonic Air-Breathing Weapon Concept (HAWC), which remain mired in Development Hell. It shares traits with Russia’s Zircon missile, but emphasizes glide over pure cruise, similar to DF-17’s land-based role. Within China’s lineup, the YJ-17 bridges the supersonic YJ-15 with the more advanced YJ-19, offering a cost-effective hypersonic option. Unlike stealth-focused missiles, the YJ-17 prioritizes velocity for penetration, aligning with Beijing’s doctrine of overwhelming force.
The YJ-17 hypersonic missile signals China’s ambition to reshape naval warfare, deterring US intervention in regional disputes by threatening carrier strike groups from afar. As part of a quartet of new YJ-series weapons, it enhances the PLA Navy’s offensive edge, potentially shifting power balances in the Pacific.
No weapons system is perfect, and challenges to the YJ-17 like production scalability and countermeasures from hypersonic defenses persist. Even with these problems, though, the missile embodies China’s ascent into being a high-tech military power. As global tensions rise, it not only bolsters Beijing’s deterrence, but also accelerates the international hypersonic arms race, urging rivals to innovate—or risk obsolescence.
About the Author: Brandon J. Weichert
Brandon J. Weichert is a senior national security editor at The National Interest. Recently, Weichert became the host of The National Security Hour on America Outloud News and iHeartRadio, where he discusses national security policy every Wednesday at 8pm Eastern. He is also a contributor at Popular Mechanics and has consulted regularly with various government institutions and private organizations on geopolitical issues. Weichert’s writings have appeared in multiple publications, including The Washington Times, National Review, The American Spectator, MSN, The Asia Times, and others. His books include Winning Space: How America Remains a Superpower, Biohacked: China’s Race to Control Life, and The Shadow War: Iran’s Quest for Supremacy. His newest book, A Disaster of Our Own Making: How the West Lost Ukraine is available for purchase wherever books are sold. He can be followed via Twitter @WeTheBrandon.
Image: Shutterstock / yuyangc.
