The 2024 Zhuhai Airshow may have concluded, but new revelations continue to emerge. In a less prominent area of the exhibition, information boards about the CJ-10 and CJ-100 missiles were spotted, shedding light for the first time on the actual capabilities of these previously enigmatic weapons.
The CJ-10 is a well-known asset, having been publicly displayed several times. Often compared to the U.S. Tomahawk, it is a subsonic cruise missile with a speed of approximately 0.8 Mach and a maximum range of 2,500 kilometers. Its performance aligns closely with its American counterpart. However, this class of weapon is increasingly seen as less effective as a primary strike option. Subsonic speeds make it vulnerable to interception, not only by advanced air defense systems but also by traditional anti-aircraft artillery—a limitation that has been observed in conflicts such as the Syrian Civil War and the ongoing Russia-Ukraine war.
The CJ-100, in contrast, presents a significant advancement. Since its debut during the 2019 National Day military parade, public information about this missile has been limited, leading to widespread speculation about its potential capabilities. New details now confirm that earlier projections, such as a range of 2,500 kilometers and speeds of Mach 3–4, underestimated its performance. According to the newly revealed data, the CJ-100 boasts a range of 3,000 to 4,000 kilometers, a cruising speed of Mach 4, and advanced capabilities such as precision targeting, rapid response, and strong penetration power, making it suitable for engaging critical targets.
With a range of up to 4,000 kilometers, the CJ-100 exceeds the reach of many medium-range ballistic missiles. Its Mach 4 speed is unparalleled among cruise missiles, which typically achieve terminal speeds of around Mach 3. Notably, the CJ-100 appears capable of maintaining high Mach speeds throughout its flight, reaching Mach 4 in the terminal phase. Combined with advanced stealth features, this enables the missile to overcome most modern air defense systems, even if it does not match the speed of hypersonic systems like the DF-17.
Traditional cruise missiles like the U.S. Tomahawk and Russia’s Kalibr rely on subsonic speeds, typically around 0.8 Mach, and long-range aerodynamic designs to maximize range. The CJ-100 represents a departure from this model, achieving both long-range and high-speed capabilities. This is likely made possible by the integration of advanced propulsion technology. Based on existing reports and the design of the YJ-12 supersonic anti-ship missile, it is reasonable to conclude that the CJ-100 employs a dual-mode ramjet engine. This technology allows the missile to achieve speeds exceeding Mach 3 while enabling sustained flight in the stratosphere, where the air is less dense.
The CJ-100’s launch mechanism incorporates a large booster rocket, which propels the missile to supersonic speeds before the ramjet engine activates. At this point, the missile can cruise at over Mach 2 in near-space altitudes above 20 kilometers. During the terminal phase, the missile descends rapidly, maintaining a speed of Mach 4 at altitudes ranging from tens to hundreds of meters. This unique trajectory combines elements of ballistic missile high-altitude flight with cruise missile low-altitude penetration, potentially explaining its dual designation as DF-100 and CJ-100.
The development of the CJ-100 alongside hypersonic systems like the DF-17 suggests a complementary role. While hypersonic missiles excel at neutralizing high-value strategic targets, the CJ-100’s strength lies in its precision. Reports indicate that it can strike specific points within a larger target area with exceptional accuracy. This level of precision, estimated to be within decimeters or even centimeters, likely results from a combination of guidance systems, including active radar, image matching, and satellite navigation.
In operational scenarios, the CJ-100’s versatility enables it to engage a wide range of targets, from hardened bunkers to mobile assets such as ships and vehicles. Precision attacks on airfields, for instance, present significant challenges due to the dispersed nature of targets. Previous examples, such as missile strikes on military airfields, have shown that achieving significant damage to aircraft requires exceptional accuracy. The CJ-100’s ability to carry penetrator warheads and target individual hangars could dramatically enhance operational effectiveness.
Given its long-range precision and advanced capabilities, the CJ-100 is operated by China’s Rocket Force, reflecting its role in complex and high-value missions.
A potential deployment strategy could involve coordinated strikes: first, hypersonic weapons like the DF-17 could neutralize enemy air defense systems and key radar installations, rendering the adversary’s defenses ineffective. This would be followed by the CJ-100, leveraging its high penetration and precision to target critical assets such as command centers, mobile leadership vehicles, and reinforced bunkers. Finally, cost-effective platforms like the CJ-10 could deliver saturation strikes against infrastructure, including roads, bridges, and power facilities, crippling the adversary’s logistical and operational capabilities. This layered approach could deliver a decisive blow in a conflict scenario.
