China Develops Hypersonic Glide Vehicle Capable Of Launching Air-To-Air Missiles

China has developed hypersonic glide vehicles (HGVs) capable of launching air-to-air weapons against high-value aircraft at long distances, Bloomberg reported, citing a person with direct knowledge of the matter. The development would expand the potential uses of China's growing missile arsenal and could pose a threat to aircraft such as aerial refuelling tankers, airborne early-warning and control aircraft and airborne command posts.

The reported capability comes as China continues to expand its missile and hypersonic weapons programmes. The Chinese military has also added air-to-air capabilities to some hypersonic cruise missiles and developed anti-ship capabilities for several missile types, according to the report. China is publicly known to be developing and operating HGV systems capable of carrying air-to-air weapons.

An HGV is a manoeuvrable vehicle that travels through the atmosphere at hypersonic speeds after being launched by a missile. Its ability to change course during flight can extend its effective reach and make interception more challenging. China's DF-17 system is estimated to have a range of about 2,414 kilometres, while the more advanced DF-27 is assessed to have a maximum range of roughly 8,000 kilometres.

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Despite the potential reach of such systems, using a ballistic missile-derived weapon against a distant aircraft presents significant operational challenges. The missile would require accurate and continuously updated information from distant sensors to track a moving target. The long chain connecting detection, identification, targeting and engagement could also create opportunities for an adversary to disrupt the operation.

Another concern is the risk of misinterpreting a ballistic missile launch, particularly when its intended target and payload cannot immediately be determined. Bloomberg reported that this ambiguity could complicate the use of such weapons during a major conflict because a conventional launch might be mistaken for a nuclear attack. The development nevertheless forms part of China's broader effort to expand and modernise its missile forces.

China's missile expansion comes as other major military powers develop long-range air-to-air weapons of their own. The United States has developed systems including the AIM-174B and is testing newer long-range air-to-air capabilities, while the AIM-260 is also under development. European forces use the Meteor missile, another long-range air-to-air system, reflecting the growing importance of extended-range weapons in future air combat.

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