supersonic
Supersonic speed is the speed of an object that exceeds the speed of sound ( Mach 1). For objects traveling in dry air of a temperature of 20 °C (68 °F) at sea level, this speed is approximately . Speeds greater than five times ...
anti-ship missile
An anti-ship missile (AShM) is a guided missile that is designed for use against ships and large boats. Most anti-ship missiles are of the sea skimming variety, and many use a combination of inertial guidance and active radar homing. A goo ...
and
cruise missile
A cruise missile is a guided missile used against terrestrial or naval targets that remains in the atmosphere and flies the major portion of its flight path at approximately constant speed. Cruise missiles are designed to deliver a large warh ...
. The missile was first displayed at the 10th
China International Aviation and Aerospace Exhibition
China International Aviation & Aerospace Exhibition (), also known as the Airshow China () or Zhuhai Airshow (), is the largest airshow and aerospace trade expo in China. It has been held in even years in Zhuhai, Guangdong since 1996.
H ...
, held November 2014 in Zhuhai, China.Zhuhai Surprise: China’s Third “Russian” Supersonic ASCM - Aviationweek.com, 7 November 2014For Sale: China’s Mach 3 Anti-Ship Missile - Nationalinterest.org, 2 December 2014
Overview
The CX-1 is a supersonic anti-ship
cruise missile
A cruise missile is a guided missile used against terrestrial or naval targets that remains in the atmosphere and flies the major portion of its flight path at approximately constant speed. Cruise missiles are designed to deliver a large warh ...
(ASCM) that can travel up to Mach 2.8-3 at an altitude of . It travels along a low-high-low flight profile and has a range of using a two-stage booster, descending to 10 meters above the water when from the target. The warhead has a circular error probability (CEP).Origin of China’s Latest Cruise Missile Debated - Ainonline.com, 21 November 2014China's CX-1 Missile Now Exportable - Defensenews.com, 30 November 2014
There are two initial versions of the CX-1; the CX-1A ship-borne system and CX-1B road-mobile land-based system, equipped with a unitary semi-armor-piercing warhead. It also reportedly has a second land-attack function, for which it can have a unitary fragmentation-blast or penetration warhead. A land-based road-mobile unit would be composed of one command vehicle, one support vehicle, three launching vehicles, three transporter-loader vehicles, and 12 canisters for two-wave attacks. A submarine-launched version is also suspected.
The CX-1 is believed to be made purely for export, as its specifications meet requirements set by the
Missile Technology Control Regime
The Missile Technology Control Regime (MTCR) is a multilateral export control regime. It is an informal political understanding among 35 member states that seek to limit the proliferation of missiles and missile technology. The regime was formed ...
(MTCR), which restricts exporting missiles carrying payloads greater than 500 kilograms at ranges exceeding 300 kilometers. Several potential customers have been speculated, including Pakistan since it has been a major recipient of Chinese arms. Other countries include Iran, although they have been attempting to develop domestic missile capabilities to lessen reliance on foreign suppliers, and countries in South America and Africa, but specific countries have not been named and Russia has been an established supplier of similar systems in those areas.
Reverse-engineering claims
Shortly after its unveiling, the CX-1 was suspected to have been a Chinese-made copy of the Russian-Indian
BrahMos
The BrahMos (also designated as PJ-10)SS-N-22 Sunburn.Origin of China’s Latest Cruise Missile Debated - Ainonline.com, 21 November 2014
Operators
;
*
People's National Army (Algeria)
french: Armée nationale populaire
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See also
*
BrahMos
The BrahMos (also designated as PJ-10)P-800 Oniks
The P-800 Oniks (russian: П-800 Оникс; en, Onyx), also known in export markets as Yakhont (russian: Яхонт; en, ruby), is a Soviet / Russian supersonic anti-ship cruise missile developed by NPO Mashinostroyeniya as a ramjet version ...
* CVS401 Perseus – A stealth supersonic cruise missile under development by
MBDA
MBDA is a European multinational developer and manufacturer of missiles.MBDA Inc. US Division Co ...
for the UK and France.
*
YJ-18
The YJ-18 (, NATO designation CH-SS-NX-13) is a Chinese family of anti-ship and land attack cruise missiles.
Description
The United States Department of Defense believes the YJ-18 is similar to the Russian 3M-54 Klub, with a subsonic cruise mo ...