China ’s fast air-to-air weapons, designed especially to shoot down US stealth bombers, indicate a potential seismic shift in the future of heat battle, one that could drastically alter the Indo-Pacific’s balance of power.
Chinese scientists have confirmed the existence of a new hypersonic air-to-air weapon, which has reportedly suffered serious heat-resistance tests to join the People’s Liberation Army Air Force’s strict performance requirements, according to a new South China Morning Post (SCMP ) report.
Developed by the China Airborne Missile Academy ( CAMA ) in Luoyang, Henan province, the new missile poses a significant threat to US military aircraft, including the B-21 stealth bomber.
According to SCMP, the last assessments of full-scale weapon designs were conducted in an arc-heated weather hole capable of generating warm air flows reaching tens of thousands of degree Fahrenheit.
This approach ensures the missile may endure prolonged exposure to temperatures exceeding 1,200 degrees Fahrenheit, equal to flying at Mach 9 for an extended period. The wind tunnel, primarily used for challenging space missions, operates continuously for an hour or more, though its enormous power consumption makes it costly.
The missile’s high speed and heat endurance make it a formidable weapon capable of outmaneuvering current US military aircraft. Highlighting its capabilities, SCMP noted that, in a simulated war game, China ’s hypersonic air-to-air missiles capable of reaching Mach 6 shot down a target resembling a US B-21 bomber and its companion drone.
The missiles used a solid fuel “pulse engine ” for adjustable power output, enabling them to ascend to near space and descend unpredictably along a “Qian Xuesen trajectory. ” This capability surpasses the capabilities of current hypersonic weapons, which struggle to maintain control at high speeds.
The B-21 is critical for countering a potential Chinese invasion of Taiwan, leveraging its stealth, range, and payload capabilities to operate in highly contested areas.
A March 2023 report by Mark Gunzinger for the Mitchell Institute for Aerospace Studies notes that the B-21 would target essential objectives in the initial phases of a conflict, such as People’s Liberation Army ( PLA ) amphibious assault ships, missile launchers and airbases.
These targets, crucial for China ’s offensive actions, likely fall under the PLA’s anti-access/area-denial ( A2/AD ) framework, underscoring the importance of the B-21’s stealth for its effectiveness.
Gunzinger also highlights the B-21’s ability to carry various munitions, including small precision-guided bombs, to strike mobile and well-defended targets effectively. Its long-range capability allows operation from distant bases like Guam and Australia, reducing dependence on forward-deployed forces vulnerable to PLA attacks.
Given the B-21’s critical role, China ’s stealth fighters, equipped with hypersonic air-to-air missiles, could significantly threaten its operations. The J-20’s large internal capacity, long range, and supercruise capability suggest it is designed as a long-range interceptor and air-to-surface attack platform.
Similarly, the new-generation J-36, a tailless delta-shaped stealth aircraft, combines high speed, long range, heavy payload capabilities and advanced sensors. These features enable it to deploy long-range air-to-air and air-to-surface missiles against enemy bases, ships and critical support units while maintaining stealth, according to Bill Sweetman for The Strategist.
While the US F-22 and F-35 may rival China ’s J-20 and J-36, their performance comparison remains speculative due to limited information. Kris Osborn, writing for 1945 in November 2024, suggests that any contest between these aircraft would likely hinge on the quality of their mission systems, sensor fidelity, computing power, weapon range and fire control capabilities.
China ’s apparent successful development of hypersonic air-to-air missiles and advanced fighters contrasts sharply with the troubled progress of the US Next Generation Air Dominance ( NGAD ) fighter program. The NGAD’s future remains uncertain as the US Air Force paused its contract award due to escalating costs, now estimated at US$ 300 million per aircraft.
Additional challenges include budgetary competition with the Sentinel intercontinental ballistic missile ( ICBM ) and B-21 programs, debates over prioritizing manned fighters or distributed platforms with unmanned assets, and whether to produce lower-cost, upgradeable aircraft instead of singular expensive fighters.
China ’s simulation of hypersonic air-to-air missile capabilities, including a simulated B-21 shootdown, also underscores the impact of beyond-visual-range ( BVR ) capabilities.
These advancements shift air-to-air engagements from close-range dogfights to long-distance precision strikes. Stealth, advanced radars and long-range missiles allow aircraft to detect and engage opponents without being detected themselves.
The China Aerospace Studies Institute ( CASI) emphasized in a July 2024 report that China ’s development of long-range air-to-air missiles aligns with its focus on countering US and allied air dominance in the Indo-Pacific.
Missiles such as the PL-15 and PL-17 are designed to outrange US counterparts like the AIM-120, targeting critical enablers such as tankers and airborne early warning and control systems ( AWACS) to degrade adversary power projection.
According to CASI, the PLAAF integrates these advanced weapons with aircraft like the J-16 and J-20, enhancing their reach and effectiveness. This capability supports China ’s broader A2/AD strategy to neutralize aerial threats and establish local air superiority over contested regions, including the Taiwan Strait and the First Island Chain.