China Tests Stealth-Coated Variant of YJ-18A Anti-Ship Missile

China has tested a new stealth-coated variant of the YJ-18A (Yingji, meaning “Eagle Strike”) anti-ship cruise missile. The ship-launched missile features a black radar-absorbing coating, marking a notable enhancement in its detection-avoidance capabilities.

Key Features

• Stealth enhancement: The new black coating is designed to absorb radar waves, reducing the radar energy reflected back to enemy sensors and making the missile more difficult to detect.
• Visual camouflage: The dark finish may also help the missile blend with the darker colour of deep seawater, improving visual concealment.
• YJ-18 family: The YJ-18 is a Chinese cruise missile family with variants designed for anti-ship and land-attack missions.
• Origin: It is reportedly derived from Russia’s 3M-54E Klub missile.
• Service entry: The YJ-18 reportedly entered Chinese service around 2014.
• Speed: The missile cruises at approximately Mach 0.8 (around 966 km/h) and accelerates to approximately Mach 2.5–3.0 during its terminal attack phase.
• Range: Different estimates place its range between 220 km and 540 km, with the base YJ-18 system commonly cited at around 540 km.
• Guidance: Uses satellite navigation and radar guidance.
• Launch platforms: The missile can be deployed from ships, submarines and ground-based platforms.
• Length: Less than 8.2 metres, including its booster.
• Launch weight: Less than 1,579 kg.
• Warhead: Can carry a high-explosive or anti-radiation warhead.
• Status: Operational.

Why Stealth Coating Matters?

The most important development is the black radar-absorbing coating. Unlike the lighter grey or white finishes commonly seen on many active Chinese ship-launched missiles, the new coating is intended to reduce radar detectability. Combined with its ability to shift from subsonic cruise to supersonic terminal attack, this enhancement could make the missile more challenging for opposing forces to detect and respond to.

About YJ-18