Chinese navy fires new radar-absorbing YJ-18A anti-ship missile in sea trial: expert

China recently conducted a sea trial of a new variant of its YJ-18A anti-ship cruise missile, which has been coated in a black stealth finish. This advanced coating is designed to enhance the missile's ability to penetrate enemy defenses by reducing the radar energy reflected back to enemy radar systems. The footage of the test, released by state broadcaster CCTV, demonstrated the missile's successful launch and subsequent vector maneuvering, which allowed it to begin sea-skimming flight rapidly.

The Chinese military commentator Song Zhongping explained that the black coating not only provides radar stealth but also offers visual camouflage by matching the color of the sea, particularly in deep waters which can be quite dark. Song emphasized that the YJ-18A's ability to maintain stealth throughout its flight, coupled with its high-speed supersonic terminal attack, significantly improves its penetration capability against enemy defenses.

This missile, derived from the Russian 3M-54E submarine-launched anti-ship missile system, has a range of 540km and a cruise speed of 966km/h. In its terminal phase, it can accelerate to Mach 3 speed. The YJ-18A and its YJ-18C land attack variant have been undergoing trials at sea-based test ranges, reflecting China's ongoing advancements in weapons and equipment.