CM-400
| CM-400 / CM-400AKG | |
|---|---|
MIG-29 of Serbian Air Force and Air Defence carrying CM-400 anti-ship missile | |
| Type |
|
| Place of origin | China |
| Service history | |
| In service | 2012–present |
| Used by | See § Operators |
| Production history | |
| Manufacturer | China Aerospace Science and Industry Corporation (CASIC) |
| Specifications | |
| Mass | 910 kg (2,010 lb) |
| Length | 510 cm (16.7 ft) |
| Diameter | 400 mm (16 in) |
| Warhead | 150–200 kg (330–440 lb) warhead |
| Engine | turbojet |
Operational range | 250 km (160 mi; 130 nmi) |
| Maximum speed | Mach 3 |
Guidance system | INS - GNSS + IR/TV Seeker |
Launch platform | JF-17
MiG-29 |
The CM-400 is a family of Chinese supersonic air-launched missiles that includes anti-ship missile and anti-radiation missile variants manufactured by China Aerospace Science and Industry Corporation (CASIC).
Development and history
The CM-400AKG was unveiled at the 2012 China International Aviation & Aerospace Exhibition,[1] where it was claimed to have entered service on Pakistan Air Force CAC/PAC JF-17 Thunders.[2] At the 2013 Dubai Airshow, a Pakistani military source claimed the missile was in Chinese service, and that an anti-ship version was in development. In 2014, a PAF JF-17 was spotted carrying two – possibly mock-up – CM-400AKGs, suggesting the missile was still in development.[1]
At the 2013 Paris Air Show, Fábrica Argentina de Aviones officials revealed the missile's performance was a major reason for their interest in co-producing the JF-17.[1]
Design
The CM-400AKG supersonic anti-ship missile is a derivative of the SY-400 guided rocket, also developed by the China Aerospace Science and Industry Corporation (CASIC).[1]
The CM-400AKG is advertised as having a 510 cm (16.7 ft) length, a 400 mm (16 in) diameter, a mass of 910 kg (2,010 lb), and a range of 100–240 km (62–149 mi; 54–130 nmi),[1] and capable of carrying either a 150 kg (330 lb) blast warhead or a 200 kg (440 lb) penetrator warhead.[3] It has a high cruise altitude and a steep terminal dive (semi-ballistic flight profile[4]), with a maximum terminal speed of Mach 4.5 to Mach 5. Seeker options include "INS + GNSS + Passive Radar Seeker," potentially for anti-ship with a circular error probable (CEP) of 5 m (16 ft)., and "INS-GNSS+IR/TV Seeker", with a CEP of 5–10 m (16–33 ft).[1] Pakistan air force officials described the missile as "an aircraft carrier killer."[2]
In the aftermath of the 2025 India–Pakistan conflict, Pakistan Air Force officials claimed that CM-400AKG has a range of 400 km (250 mi), a terminal locking range of 30 km (19 mi), a speed of Mach 5, and a passive mode for anti-radiation and suppression of enemy air defenses (SEAD) missions.[5]
Operational history
The Pakistan Air Force (PAF) reportedly purchased 60 CM-400AKG missiles from China in 2017 and 2018.[6]
The CM-400AKG saw its first-ever live combat use during the 2025 India–Pakistan conflict, when the PAF used the missiles to target an Indian S-400 air defense system.[7] Pakistan claims to have struck the 96L6E Cheese Board and 91N6 Big Bird radars; however, these claims remain unconfirmed.
In March 2026, images were published online showing the integration of the CM-400 onto Serbian MiG-29s[8][9] at the same time that images also showed the integration of LS6 bombs onto the same platform[10].
Operators
- Pakistan Air Force (PAF)[6]
References
- ^ a b c d e f Richard D. Fisher Jr. (2014-10-22). "Images show JF-17 flying with CM-400AKG hypersonic ASM". janes.com. Archived from the original on 2015-07-10. Retrieved 2015-05-15.
- ^ a b Richard D Fisher Jr (2014-10-22). "Images show JF-17 flying with CM-400AKG hypersonic ASM". IHS Jane's Defence Weekly. Archived from the original on 2015-07-10. Retrieved 2015-08-18.
- ^ Stephen Trimble (2013-11-19). "DUBAI: China details performance of 'carrier killer' missile for JF-17". flightglobal.com. Reed Business Information. Archived from the original on 2017-10-17. Retrieved 2017-11-29.
- ^ "First Strike in the Hypersonic Era: Pakistan Claims JF-17-Launched CM-400AKG Took Out India's S-400". Defence Security Asia. 11 May 2025.
- ^ Warnes, Alan (19 September 2025). "XCLUSIVE: Full article - Understanding the Rafale kills". AirForce Monthly. No. November 2025. p. 43-58.
- ^ a b Axe, David (2021-11-10). "The Pakistani Air Force's Strange New Chinese Missiles". The National Interest. Retrieved 2025-11-21.
- ^ Tong, Zhang (2025-05-14). "China reveals tech 'breakthrough' behind Pakistan's hypersonic strike on India". South China Morning Post. Retrieved 2025-11-21.
- ^ Newdick, Thomas (2026-03-10). "Serbian MiG-29 Appears Armed With Chinese Supersonic Standoff Missiles". The War Zone. Retrieved 2026-03-14.
- ^ Vojinovic, Petar (2026-03-09). "[POSLEDNJA VEST] Vojska Srbije poseduje balističke supersonične rakete: Srpski MiG-ovi 29SM+ uočeni kako nose kineske rakete vazduh-zemlja CM400". Tango Six (in Serbian). Retrieved 2026-03-14.
- ^ "Serbian MiG-29s Armed with Chinese LS-6 Guided Bombs". Militarnyi. Retrieved 2026-03-14.
- ^ Vojinovic, Petar (2026-03-09). "[POSLEDNJA VEST] Vojska Srbije poseduje balističke supersonične rakete: Srpski MiG-ovi 29SM+ uočeni kako nose kineske rakete vazduh-zemlja CM400". Tango Six (in Serbian). Retrieved 2026-03-09.