Why is China's YJ-18 missile regarded by the United States as the most terrifying missile in the world? Judging from the shooting footage released by CCTV this time, there may be an answer.
In a CCTV report, the PLA publicly demonstrated a new missile, which is the YJ-18A. In fact, this missile is not the first time it has been unveiled, and it has been seen on many major festivals and military parades, including the National Day. However, recently released television footage shows its submarine-firing capabilities for the first time, and its penetration capabilities have attracted great attention from the outside world.
As you can see from the picture, the YJ-18A missile flew almost close to the sea surface after coming out of the water, and this low-altitude flight mode significantly increased its concealment and survivability. Considering the complexity and high efficiency of modern air defense systems, such a design undoubtedly greatly improves the actual combat applicability and difficult interception characteristics of the YJ-18A, making it a powerful means of sea-based attack.
According to state media, 70% of the YJ-18A's design is new, and although similar Russian missiles have existed before, its range is only about 200 kilometers due to the limitations of export models.
The YJ-18A greatly exceeds this range and is capable of accurately striking aircraft carrier battle groups and other large targets at a distance of 660 kilometers, and this capability will undoubtedly have a far-reaching impact on the situation of future naval warfare.
Despite the fact that the carrier battle group has a complex multi-layered defense system that makes it extremely difficult to directly attack core targets, the YJ-18A seems to have found a breakthrough. The tactical thinking of "taking the unusual road" and advanced technical means have become the key to its "victory in fighting the enemy."
After the Eagle Strike-18A was launched, it adopted a unique "variable speed run" mode. At the beginning of its approach to the target, it flies at subsonic speeds, designed to extend its range by saving fuel, and then at the end of its approach to the target, it makes a rapid sprint, discarding the redundant parts and attacking only with the last part of the warhead.
This mode not only significantly increases the firing range, but also guarantees that in the last tens of kilometers of the sprint, its high speed and maneuverability are greatly enhanced, so that it is difficult for the opponent to effectively intercept through the defense system.
This unique mode of attack, with its extraordinary innovation and real combat potential, is considered by the United States to be one of the most terrifying missiles in the world. After all, in modern naval warfare, weapons systems capable of breaking through enemy defenses and accurately striking high-value targets will undoubtedly become a decisive force.
In addition, the successful development of the YJ-18 missile series is not only a breakthrough in a single type of weapon, but also marks a new stage in the strategic strike capability of the Chinese Navy.
Among the YJ-18 missile family, the most eye-catching is its submarine-launched version, which undoubtedly adds a new heavyweight bargaining chip to China's maritime strategic deterrent.
The design concept of the YJ-18 missile embodies a high degree of flexibility and adaptability, and can be launched by land, air and ship through different launch platforms to achieve multi-directional deterrence on the all-domain battlefield.
Its concealment and penetration capability are particularly a "headache" for the United States and other Western countries, and the extremely low-altitude flight mode, almost close to the sea surface, makes it difficult for radar to catch it, and greatly reduces the possibility of being intercepted by enemy defense systems.
What cannot be ignored is that the Type 039C submarine carrying the YJ-18 this time also has quite tough actual combat capabilities.
According to the report, the research and development of the Type 039A submarine has marked a huge leap in China's conventional submarine technology, and the Type 039C submarine is a further innovation on this basis.
In particular, the design of its "mushroom head" command shell structure is not only visually unique, but more importantly takes a new step in terms of silence and stealth. This design not only improves the survivability of the submarine itself, but also provides a safer and more concealed environment for the launch of weapons such as the YJ-18.
These technological breakthroughs and equipment updates of the Chinese Navy are a positive response to the current changes in the international security environment, especially in the surrounding waters, where foreign warships that are "free-roaming" must act cautiously in the face of such advanced submarine and missile deterrence.
What is more noteworthy is that through the research and development and deployment of Type 039C submarines, the Chinese Navy has not only surpassed the level of Japan and South Korea and other countries, but also changed the competition pattern of the future underwater battlefield to a certain extent.
In short, through the efforts made over the years, the modernization of the Chinese Navy has achieved remarkable results. Whether it is the introduction of the Type 039C submarine or the research and development of the YJ-18 missile, it marks a new historic progress made by China in naval construction. The so-called island chain blockade and containment strategy will become empty talk.