China demonstrates the launch of a mysterious hypersonic rocket that does not require a special carrier

The People's Republic of China has shown a video of its new air-launched missile, known as the 2PZD-21.

Here's What We Know

The existence of the missile first became known in 2022, when it was shown at the Zhuhai International Airshow, but the first information about China's possible development of an air-launched hypersonic missile appeared in 2018.

And in the new video, this missile appears for only a few seconds and is dropped from an H-6K bomber (a localised and deeply modernised version of the Tu-16). Nevertheless, the technical characteristics of this missile remain a secret, and the video only adds to the mystery surrounding it.

It is also worth noting that the 2PZD-21 differs from other hypersonic missiles of its class, such as the Kh-47M2 Kinzhal. Whereas the Kinzhal has a MiG-31K as a carrier that takes it to high altitudes and accelerates it to supersonic speeds, the Chinese missile can be dropped from a conventional H-6K bomber.

Source: Clash Report