Product photos coming soon
China China Aerospace Science and Industry Corporation
YJ-18
A Chinese submarine- and ship-launched anti-ship and land-attack cruise missile with a subsonic cruise phase followed by a supersonic terminal sprint to complicate interception. It is the standard vertical-launch anti-ship weapon of PLA Navy Type 052D/055 destroyers and Type 093 submarines.
In service since 2015
Compiled from public sources ·primary reference ↗ ·last verified 2026-07-02
540
km range
2.5
Mach
300
kg warhead
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 2015. 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. | 2.5 Mach |
|---|---|
| Range Maximum distance: ferry range for aircraft, operational range for vehicles, maximum engagement distance for missiles. Higher means more standoff or persistence. | 540 km |
Firepower
Armament, payload and guidance.
| Warhead Warhead mass. Heavier generally means larger effect radius, at the cost of range. | 300 kg |
|---|---|
| Warhead type Blast-fragmentation, shaped charge (HEAT), penetrator, thermobaric or nuclear-capable. | Semi-armor-piercing blast |
| Guidance How the weapon finds its target: inertial, GPS/GLONASS, active/semi-active radar, infrared, laser, TV, wire. | Inertial navigation, BeiDou satellite update, Active radar terminal homing |
Physical
Dimensions, weight and crew.
| Length Overall length including gun/probe where applicable. | 6.5 m |
|---|---|
| Combat weight Fully loaded weight. Lighter eases transport and bridging limits; heavier often means more armor. | 1,400 kg |
Propulsion
Engine, power and fuel.
| Propulsion type Turbofan, turboshaft, diesel, gas turbine, solid-fuel rocket, ramjet… | Turbofan with rocket booster, terminal solid rocket sprint |
|---|
Specifications compiled from public China Aerospace Science and Industry Corporation and reference sources ↗. Published defense figures are approximations, treat comparisons as directional. Last verified 2026-07-02.
Compare with rivals
See how it stacks up
Boeing AGM-86 ALCM Frequently asked questions
What is the range of the China Aerospace Science and Industry Corporation YJ-18? +
The China Aerospace Science and Industry Corporation YJ-18 has a maximum range of 540 km.
How much does the China Aerospace Science and Industry Corporation YJ-18 weigh? +
The China Aerospace Science and Industry Corporation YJ-18 has a combat weight of 1,400 kg.
What is the China Aerospace Science and Industry Corporation YJ-18 used for? +
The China Aerospace Science and Industry Corporation YJ-18 is a missile typically used for deep strike.
How much does the China Aerospace Science and Industry Corporation YJ-18 cost? +
China Aerospace Science and Industry Corporation YJ-18: Unit cost not publicly disclosed. Defense program costs are rarely fully public and vary by contract and configuration.
Similar systems
China Aerospace Science and Industry Corporation
DF-21D
China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation (CASC)
YJ-21
China Aerospace Science and Industry Corporation
YJ-83
Kongsberg Defence & Aerospace