The YJ-12 is an air-launched missile[5] that resembles a lengthened
Kh-31.[3]
A 2011 article in the
United States Naval War College Review credited the "
YJ-91/YJ-12" with a range of 400 km and a 205 kg
high explosive warhead, compared to the 130 km (81 mi; 70 nmi) range of a
Harpoon anti-ship missile. Furthermore, an aircraft could launch the "YJ-91/YJ-12" while still 230 km beyond the range of
SM-2 and
Sparrow anti-air missiles, which have ranges of less than 170 km.[2][6] In a September 2014 article published in Joint Forces Quarterly, the missile was credited with a range of up to 250 km and a speed of Mach 2.5.[3] In February 2015, military expert Li Li claimed the YJ-12 has a 400–500 kg (880–1,100 lb) warhead and a range of 300 km (190 mi; 160 nmi) when traveling at Mach 3, or 400 km at a speed of Mach 4.[1] The YJ-12 can also do evasive maneuvers to avoid anti-missile threats.[7]
A saturation attack by YJ-12's fired at long range would pose a grave threat to American
carrier strike groups; once the wave of
sea-skimming missiles appeared over the horizon and was detected by ships' own sensors, they would only have some 45 seconds to engage before impact and if there were enough, short range defenses would be overwhelmed. Given that fighters such as the
Su-30MKK and
J-11B have a
combat radius of about 1,500 km, equipping them with the YJ-12 gives them a potential strike range out to 1,900 km (1,200 mi; 1,000 nmi). The
U.S. Navy's counter is to use the
Cooperative Engagement Capability to detect and destroy the YJ-12's launch aircraft with
SM-6 missiles and fighters at long range before they can be fired.[8]
It has been test-launched from
Xian H-6 bombers.[9] Reportedly, they may also be launched from the
J-10, Su-30MKK, the J-11 and
J-16,[10] For warships, it equips the PLAN's refitted
Sovremenny-class destroyer.[4]
Development
In August 2000, the Chinese unveiled a model of an air-launched missile labelled as the YJ-91, resembling the French
Air-Sol Moyenne Portée. Later, a similar looking missile was seen that may have been designated as the YJ-12. Jane's reported that a YJ-12A was supposedly in development in 2004. The YJ-91 designation ultimately went to the Chinese development of the Russian
Kh-31.[11] The YJ-12 ultimately resembled a lengthened Kh-31.[3]
The YJ-12 appeared at the
2015 China Victory Day Parade,[12] indicating that the missile had entered active service since all weapons showcased during the parade are actively inducted prior to the parade.[13]
The YJ-12B was reportedly deployed to the
Spratly Islands around April 2018.[14] They may cover the southern half of the South China Sea when based on three largest Chinese-controlled islands.[15]
Variants
YJ-12
Air-launched variant
YJ-12B
Land-based variant with 250 nmi (290 mi; 460 km) range.[15]
CM-302
In November 2016, CASIC unveiled the CM-302 as the export version of the YJ-12. It is marketed as "the world's best anti-ship missile" that it is supersonic throughout its flight, can be launched from air, land, and naval platforms, can disable a 5,000-tonne warship, and be used in a
land attack role. Assuming physical characteristics similar to the YJ-12, the missile is likely 7 m (23 ft) long and 0.6 m (2.0 ft) diameter, with an estimated weight of 2,000–2,500 kg (4,400–5,500 lb). It is stated to have a range of 280 km (170 mi; 150 nmi), a 250 kg (550 lb) warhead, guided by BeiDou which can be updated by
data-link with an
active radar seeker for
terminal guidance to achieve a 90% probability of hitting its target, while traveling at a mid-course speed of Mach 1.5-2 and accelerating to Mach 3 or higher during the terminal flight phase.[16]