Hypersonic from the Newcomers: the Yukongji-1000 Missile System
China continues to develop hypersonic missiles and develop advanced missile systems. It recently unveiled its latest development in this class, the Yukongji-1000 system. The missile and warhead within this system are expected to exhibit high technical and combat performance, enabling it to engage a variety of targets. What's particularly interesting is that the project was developed by a private company.
New player in the market
In 2012, Beijing Lingkong Tianxing Technology Co., Ltd., a private company, began operations in Beijing. The company's founders were several scientists who had previously worked at various universities and worked in the rocket and space field. The company entered the market under the trademarks Lingkong Tianxing and Space Transportation.
In 2019, the company launched its own launch vehicle for the first time. This project was subsequently developed and demonstrated new results. In 2022, the company announced the development of a hypersonic passenger aircraft. In October 2024, the first tests of an unmanned technology demonstrator took place. Work on this project continues, and new prototypes are being developed.
Experimental launcher on a semi-trailer
As it turns out, several years ago, Lingkong Tianxing began developing a hypersonic missile system for the military behind closed doors. Since then, this project has progressed through all development stages and has reached the point of construction and testing of prototypes.
"The Halberd that Conquers the Heavens"
The new missile system was first announced on November 25, 2025. The developer published a video showing a prototype of the system, a missile launch, and the destruction of a simulated target at a test range. They also revealed its main characteristics, future combat scenarios, and more.
The system has been given the catchy name "Yukongji-1000"—"Heaven-Spanning Halberd." It is also known by the abbreviation YKJ-1000. If the system is adopted by the PLA, a new official designation may be adopted.
Launcher layout
Linkun Tianxing reportedly developed the new system independently, incorporating its own hypersonic expertise and a number of new solutions. To speed up and simplify the process, commercially available materials, components, and assemblies are being actively utilized.
The YKJ-1000 project has reached full flight testing, with at least one launch already conducted with a full flight program and a ground target hit. Testing and design refinement will likely continue. How long these processes will take is unknown.
The prospects for serial production and adoption are also questionable. The PLA Rocket Force has shown great interest in hypersonic systems and has begun operating several such systems in recent years. It cannot be ruled out that a new system from a private company will also find its way into the units.
Transfer to combat position
Complex and components
In its current form, the YKJ-1000 is a transportable missile system with a hypersonic warhead. It is designed to engage land or sea targets at ranges of up to 1300 km. The system's key component is the hypersonic warhead, which provides unique characteristics and combat capabilities.
The main element of the system is a two-stage rocket. The first stage is a cylinder with a tail, and the second stage is a hypersonic vehicle. The rocket's dimensions and weight are unknown. It is also impossible to accurately determine them from available materials. This information may be published later.
The main part of the first stage is the solid-fuel rocket motor. It powers the rocket, propels it to takeoff, reaches the required speed, and enters the designed trajectory. The nose cone has mounts for the installation of hypersonic payloads.
Test run
The combat stage is built using a "lifting fuselage" design. It features a fuselage with a pointed nose and a flat bottom, which extends into planes of minimal aspect ratio. A tail assembly is provided, consisting of two vertical vertical stabilizers diverging laterally.
The hypersonic stage has its own propulsion system. Graphic promotional materials suggest that these are two liquid-fueled engines or one dual-chamber engine. This system is used for additional acceleration after separation from the first stage and/or to maintain velocity along the trajectory. Apparently, after depleting its fuel, the aircraft enters a glide mode.
According to the developer, the warhead stage reaches speeds of up to Mach 5-7 during its trajectory, which meets the basic requirements for hypersonic systems. The minimum launch range of such a munition is 500 km, while the maximum is 1300 km.
The combat stage has an autopilot and can be equipped with target acquisition aids, such as a radar homing head. The aircraft is said to be capable of active maneuvering along its trajectory, including deep banked turns and 180° turns. Future improvements to the control system are planned, including new detection instruments and artificial intelligence software.
Hitting a target at a firing range
The method of target destruction has not yet been specified. It is possible that the hypersonic aircraft carries a warhead. However, its high speed allows it to inflict significant damage on a target using kinetic energy alone.
The design of the missile and system makes extensive use of readily available commercial components and assemblies. This primarily reduces production and operating costs. According to some sources, the YKJ-1000 missile costs approximately 700 yuan (approximately $100).
The Yukongji-1000 experimental complex includes a containerized launcher transported on a semitrailer. Hydraulic jacks are used to lower it to the ground, after which the necessary preparations are made. The container houses the rocket's lifting frame and launch pad. The launch is performed from a vertical position.
Clearly, this is just an experimental prototype with limited capabilities. If the project develops further, a fully-fledged self-propelled launcher similar to those used in other missile systems could be developed. It would be built on one of the available multi-axle chassis, equipped with a lifting device, and a closed casing for the missile.
Demonstration of target search
An unexpected novelty
Hypersonic missile systems are no longer a novelty. Similar technology is being developed and tested in various countries. Furthermore, a number of systems of this class have already entered service with the world's leading militaries. In particular, the United States has developed its own hypersonic missile systems. weapons China has one.
Against this backdrop, the Yukongji-1000 from Linkong Tianxing doesn't seem particularly new or technically remarkable. However, this project is interesting for another reason. It was developed and tested by a private company founded at the beginning of the last decade. Not many young startups can boast such success. It's also worth keeping in mind that this is a company from China, with all its unique characteristics.
In terms of technology, the YKJ-1000 system is fundamentally no different from other modern developments in its class. It is a mobile (and potentially future) system with a two-stage missile carrying a hypersonic payload. The developers promise relatively high flight and combat performance and broad operational capabilities.
Demonstration of maneuvering over a target
According to published data, the advanced system and its main components have proven their fundamental functionality. It will now undergo further testing, which will demonstrate its design characteristics, required reliability level, and other requirements.
These activities and any subsequent refinements will take some time. Afterward, the new system will need to be evaluated by the armed forces, who will decide whether to accept it into service and put it into production. If approved, the Yukongji-1000 will join other hypersonic systems in the PLA's inventory.
The future of China's new missile system remains unknown. However, the project has already attracted attention and demonstrated that hypersonic technologies are no longer the preserve of large organizations and companies with extensive experience in rocketry. Further developments in this situation are of particular interest.
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