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Private Chinese company Sichuan Lingkong Tianxing Technology unveiled its Yu Kong Ji (YKJ)-1000 hypersonic missile on Nov. 25, marking what could be the first instance of a commercial firm offering a strategic-level weapon to the Chinese military.
Lingkong Tianxing, also known as Space Transportation, previously focused on space tourism and high-speed transport concepts. The company has conducted high-supersonic test flights using a wedge-shaped demonstrator since 2024.
Loosely translated as Flying Halberd, the YKJ-1000 has a range of 500 km-1,300 km (310 mi.-807 mi.) and can reach speeds of Mach 5-7, with a powered cruise period of around 360 sec. A company video says the missile features autonomous target identification, “intelligent” evasion capabilities and can be transported in a standard 40-ft. container.
The propulsion configuration remains unclear. In January, Lingkong Tianxing said its Jindou-400 engine had completed an initial test, achieving 400 kg (882 lb.) of thrust and operating at speeds of Mach 3.3-4.1 at altitudes between 14 km-23 km.
The unveiling comes amid deteriorating relations between China and Japan, with Tokyo signaling it would consider military action should Taiwan be attacked. Lingkong Tianxing’s promotional video also depicted YKJ-1000 glide vehicles heading toward the Japanese archipelago.
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