In a First, Chinese Private Firm Develops Hypersonic Missile

A Chinese private aerospace company has for the first time introduced a homegrown hypersonic missile, the YKJ-1000, on Tuesday.

A video of the unveiling was released by Beijing-based Lingkong Tianxing Technology.

The company said the missile has a 500–1,300 kilometer range, flies at Mach 5–7, and maintains a 360-second powered cruise. The video showed a vehicle-mounted launcher and a test launch in which the missile hit its target. According to the footage, the YKJ-1000 can automatically identify targets and execute evasive maneuvers before impact.

Lingkong Tianxing described the system as a boost-glide missile with a glider fitted with an additional rocket engine. The firm told semi-official publication Global Times that the basic version has reached mass production, while an AI-integrated model with decision-making and swarm collaboration features is now in full development. The company said the missile can strike high-value targets behind defense lines, including command centers, missile sites, and radar stations, and can also carry out rapid reconnaissance using high-resolution sensors.

China displayed multiple hypersonic weapons—including the YJ-19, YJ-17, YJ-20, YJ-21, DF-17, and DF-26D—during the September 3 V-Day parade in Beijing.

Lingkong Tianxing focuses on hypersonic R&D and commercial use, has full-system design and in-house assembly, testing, and launch capability. The firm works with state-owned aerospace companies, scientific institutes, and universities.