A Type 055 destroyer of the Chinese People’s Liberation Army Navy (PLA Navy) recently carried out the launch of a YJ-20 hypersonic anti-ship missile, according to an official Chinese media outlet. This marks the first time that an official report has shown the live firing of this weapons system from a warship.
The images were released on Sunday by China Military Bugle, an official account affiliated with the PLA News Media Center. The audiovisual material shows a final missile trial conducted aboard the destroyer Wuxi, a Type 055-class vessel with a displacement of approximately 10,000 tons.
According to the explanation provided by the Chinese outlet, a “finalization test” corresponds to the last stage of evaluation of a weapons system before completing its design phase and moving toward production.
Launch from VLS system and successful test
According to the report, the YJ-20 missile was launched from one of the vertical launch system (VLS) cells located in the aft section of the destroyer Wuxi. The launch was carried out using a cold-launch method, in which the missile is ejected from the canister before its main engine ignites.
The released footage includes shots from multiple angles, allowing detailed observation of the launch procedure. China Military Bugle stated that the missile successfully struck and destroyed its target.
The official report emphasizes that this is the first time a Chinese state media outlet has shown a live launch of a YJ-20 hypersonic anti-ship missile from a naval platform.
Characteristics of the YJ-20 missile
The YJ-20 missile was first publicly unveiled during the Victory Day (V-Day) military parade held in Beijing on September 3. On that occasion, it was displayed alongside other anti-ship missiles, including the YJ-15, YJ-19, and YJ-17. According to official media, these systems can be deployed from multiple platforms, such as carrier-based fighter aircraft, surface ships, and submarines.
Chinese military affairs expert Zhang Junshe explained that missiles capable of exceeding Mach 5—five times the speed of sound—are classified as hypersonic. According to Zhang, the YJ-20 is believed to be a boost-glide missile, consisting of a rocket booster and a biconical glide vehicle.
“The biconical design generates shockwaves during hypersonic flight, allowing the control surfaces to maneuver during the terminal phase,” Zhang said, adding that this feature enhances the missile’s ability to penetrate defensive systems.
The expert further stated that the YJ-20 can attack surface ships from a near-vertical angle, similar to a ballistic missile, making interception more difficult.
The Type 055 destroyer Wuxi and its operational status
The Type 055 destroyer Wuxi reached operational status in 2023 after completing its testing phase. Following acceptance trials, the vessel was assigned to the North Sea Fleet, increasing China’s naval presence in the Yellow Sea, an area under the responsibility of the PLA’s Northern Theater Command.
The trials, which lasted three days, included simulated missions involving air and missile defense, attacks against surface and submarine targets, as well as operations in complex electromagnetic environments.
According to Zhang Junshe, the integration of the YJ-20 missile into platforms such as the Type 055 enables its deployment in distant seas, significantly enhancing the operational capabilities of the Chinese Navy.
Cover image obtained from China Military Bugle.
You may also like: With an unprecedented military deployment around Taiwan, China launched Exercise Justice Mission 2025
