Images emerge of possible new Chinese anti-submarine missile | IHS Jane's 360

The use of an air-breathing engine will potentially give the host missile greater range than the solid-propellant powered version at the expense of increased time of flight and its consequential targeting errors.

Some unofficial sources claim that the weapon is capable of receiving targeting updates via data-link while in flight, which would minimise any loss of effectiveness resulting from the greater time of flight between launch and the drop point.

If this missile is to be fitted to the Type 056 corvettes, a number of which are equipped with towed and variable-depth sonars, it will further increase the capabilities of these ships as ASW platforms.

Although they have a flight deck, they do not routinely carry a helicopter as they have no hangar. The installation of a stand-off ASW missile would therefore largely overcome this limitation. Furthermore, if a helicopter is embarked it can be configured to deploy a dipping sonar rather than be used as a weapon carrier.

While the containerisation of an ASW stand-off missile offers potential flexibility for weapon outloads on surface ships, it could also enable the weapon to be truck mounted for use by coastal defence forces.

The Chinese company Poly Technologies has previously exhibited models of such a system, suggesting that such a configuration may also enter service.