China tests new air‑launched missile, boosts Pacific reach

In a recent development from China, the ballistic missile CM-401 underwent a novel test, marking a significant shift in its launch mechanism. Unlike traditional ground launches, this missile was launched from beneath the fuselage of the strategic bomber H-6K. This approach presents China with a strategic advantage in potential Pacific conflicts.

The CM-401 missile is a descendant of the B-611 missile family, a project that originated in China during the 1990s. The B-611 was unveiled in 2004, paving the way for developing numerous solid-fuel ballistic missile variants with ranges from 56 to 249 miles.

According to its developers, the CM-401 was initially designed as a ground-launched anti-ship missile. It boasts hypersonic velocities and can cover a distance of approximately 174 miles. In the final phase of its trajectory, it employs an onboard radar for precise targeting and impact.

The rationale behind China’s experiment involves leveraging a ground-to-ground missile as an airborne munition, a concept that Russian innovations might have inspired with the Ch-47M2 Kindzhal missiles, which are deployed from the modified MiG-31K interceptor aircraft.

Yet, this strategy likely significantly enhances the missile's operational range. While the CM-401's ground-based launch range is estimated at 174 miles, launching from the H-6K could potentially extend its striking distance to over 1,243 miles, considering the aircraft's operational radius of roughly 1,118 miles.