MilitaryDF-17 Hypersonic Glide Vehicle
Missile Systemconfirmed
The DF-17 is China's first operational hypersonic weapon — a medium-range ballistic missile topped with the DF-ZF hypersonic glide vehicle. At Mach 10+, it maneuvers in the atmosphere and is difficult to intercept. Designed to defeat U.S. carrier battle groups and Aegis missile defenses in the Pacific.
Specifications
| Type | Missile System |
| Origin | China |
| Manufacturer | China Academy of Launch Vehicle Technology |
| Introduced | 2020 |
| Status | In service |
| Range | 2,500 |
| Speed | 15,000 |
History
Secretly tested 2014–2016. Unveiled at China's 70th anniversary parade in 2019. Entered operational service ~2020. China displayed ~16 launchers at 2022 parade. Represents a threat specifically designed to make U.S. carrier operations in the Western Pacific untenable.
Operators
| Country | Quantity | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| China | ~24 DF-17 launchers (2 brigades) | confirmed |
Text adapted from Wikipedia, available under CC BY-SA 4.0. Photo from Wikimedia Commons; see the Wikipedia article for author and license.
