Leaked Documents Reveal Details of a New Chinese Stealth Cruise Missile

Leaked technical documents have revealed that China is developing a new stealth cruise missile, specifically designed to fit the internal weapons bays of its fifth-generation fighter jets, the J-20 and J-35.

The documents, which were leaked on the Chinese social media platform "Weibo" and reported by the site "Defense Blog," show that the missile's length is less than 4 meters, while its diameter is less than 0.85 meters. These precise dimensions are likely imposed by the limited space of the internal weapons bays in the two stealth aircraft.

Design and Stealth Specifications

Both the J-20 stealth fighter and the J-35 carrier-based fighter rely on internal weapons bays to maintain their stealth capabilities and avoid detection by radars. The new missile features a compact body and a fixed wing, with parallel wings and a V-shaped tail. It is also equipped with two serrated exhaust nozzles at the rear, a technology aimed at breaking up radar reflections and reducing the radar signature.

The V-shaped tail plays a dual role, providing flight control while simultaneously obscuring the visual and thermal signature from infrared sensors, which enemy missiles might use for detection from below.

Cooling System and Performance

The thermal signature reduction system is the most complex aspect of the design. Designers placed four cooling nozzles distributed inside the exhaust area, which inject cold air into the hot exhaust stream to reduce its thermal signature. According to the leaked documents, the missile's cruising speed is Mach 0.71, while its maximum speed reaches Mach 0.5. Its maximum range is approximately 1330 kilometers.