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China China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation (CASC)
YJ-21
A hypersonic anti-ship ballistic missile fielded aboard China's Type 055 destroyers and carried by the H-6K bomber, designed to strike large, high-value naval targets such as aircraft carriers at long range. Figures below are publicly claimed/estimated (Chinese state media and open-source analysis); Beijing does not release official technical specifications, so treat range and speed as unverified claims per site convention for Chinese strategic-weapons reporting.
In service since 2022
Compiled from public sources ·primary reference ↗ ·last verified 2026-07-24
1,500
km range
10
Mach
Pricing: Unit cost not publicly disclosed
Procurement snapshot
Availability & export
Chinese state channel
State export agencies (NORINCO/CATIC); limited availability to Western-aligned states.
Channel: State export agency
Fielded & proven
Operator data not public
In service since 2022. Status: active.
Lifecycle cost (est.)
No public unit price to model from. Why so few systems publish one →
Interoperability
No standardised NATO calibre / datalink detected in public specs.
Derived guidance from public data, export regime by country of origin, lifecycle from the GAO ~30% acquisition rule. Verify eligibility, pricing and offsets with the manufacturer and your acquisition authority.
Full specifications
Performance
Speed, range, altitude and engagement capability.
| Max speed (Mach) Maximum speed as a multiple of the speed of sound. Mach 2+ is typical for air-superiority fighters. | 10 Mach |
|---|---|
| Range Maximum distance: ferry range for aircraft, operational range for vehicles, maximum engagement distance for missiles. Higher means more standoff or persistence. | 1,500 km |
Firepower
Armament, payload and guidance.
| Warhead type Blast-fragmentation, shaped charge (HEAT), penetrator, thermobaric or nuclear-capable. | Conventional |
|---|
Physical
Dimensions, weight and crew.
| Length Overall length including gun/probe where applicable. | 8.3 m |
|---|
Propulsion
Engine, power and fuel.
| Propulsion type Turbofan, turboshaft, diesel, gas turbine, solid-fuel rocket, ramjet… | Two-stage solid-fuel rocket with hypersonic glide vehicle |
|---|
Specifications compiled from public China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation (CASC) and reference sources ↗. Published defense figures are approximations, treat comparisons as directional. Last verified 2026-07-24.
Compare with rivals
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Boeing AGM-86 ALCM Frequently asked questions
What is the range of the China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation (CASC) YJ-21? +
The China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation (CASC) YJ-21 has a maximum range of 1,500 km.
What is the China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation (CASC) YJ-21 used for? +
The China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation (CASC) YJ-21 is a missile typically used for anti ship, deep strike.
How much does the China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation (CASC) YJ-21 cost? +
China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation (CASC) YJ-21: Unit cost not publicly disclosed. Defense program costs are rarely fully public and vary by contract and configuration.
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