Successful Finalization Test of Chinese Hypersonic Missile

Dec. 31—The PLA News Media Center’s outlet, the China Military Bugle, released footage Dec. 28 of a YJ-20 hypersonic anti-ship missile being launched from a Type 055 large destroyer of the Chinese People’s Liberation Army Navy, reported the Global Times.

“A finalization test is a term often used to describe a final test of a weapon system before it wraps up its design phase and enters production,” the daily explained.

The missile was launched from "one of the vertical launching system (VLS) cells located in the aft section of the Type 055 large destroyer Wuxi. The missile used a cold-launch method, as it was ejected out of the VLS cell before igniting its engine.

“The missile hit and destroyed its target, according to the China Military Bugle report. This is the first time an official media report has shown a live YJ-20 hypersonic anti-ship missile being fired from a warship.” This type of missile can be launched from a variety of platforms, is extremely maneuverable, and can strike from a nearly vertical angle, making it exceedingly difficult to intercept.