China recently unveiled a video showcasing its new and secretive air-launched missile, known as the 2PZD-21. This missile’s existence first came to light in November 2022 during an international airshow in Zhuhai, although initial information about China’s development of a hypersonic air-launched missile date back to 2018.
Despite the public display, the specifics of the missile remain undisclosed. In the video, the missile makes a brief appearance, being released from the H-6K bomber (a locally modified version of the Tu-16 bomber). It’s unclear from the footage whether this was merely a release or a full-fledged launch.
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Released on May 1, International Labor Day, the video is a tribute to Chinese bomber aviation. It also showcases the use of conventional aerial bombs, the skill of pilots and ground personnel.
The 2PZD-21 missile (as well as the Kh-47M2 Kinzhal missile) is believed to be based on a tactical ballistic missile, likely the CM-401 missile. This solid-fuel rocket, designed for launch from the B-611 system, boasts an alleged range of 290 km for the export model.
Similar to the Iskander ballistic missile, the 2PZD-21 missile follows a complex trajectory during its cruising phase and utilizes an active radar seeker for terminal guidance, enabling its use as an anti-ship ballistic missile.
However, its key distinction from the Kh-47M2 Kinzhal missile lies in its carrier – it can be released from a subsonic bomber. While the Kinzhal missile is deployed by the MiG-31K aircraft, acting as both the initial stage and launcher by reaching supersonic speeds, the Chinese missile is released from the subsonic H-6K aircraft.
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