What is the YJ-18 missile?

What is the YJ-18 missile?

• A. A supersonic terminal attack missile with a range of 290 nautical miles.
• B. A cruise missile with 2000 nautical miles
• C. An anti-ship ballistic missile
• D. A surface-to-air missile

Answer: (A)

The YJ-18 is best described as an anti-ship cruise missile that flies with powered propulsion and uses guidance to seek ships, then goes through a supersonic terminal phase to hit the target. Its range is around 290 nautical miles, which fits the description of a relatively compact, ship-attack missile rather than a long-range or ballistic weapon. It is not a ballistic missile, which follows a high-arching trajectory, nor a surface-to-air missile aimed at aircraft or missiles, and it isn’t a long-range cruise missile with thousands of nautical miles. The combination of a ship-targeting role, cruise-missile flight profile, and supersonic terminal approach with a ~290 nmi range makes the statement describing it as a supersonic terminal attack missile with a range of 290 nautical miles the best fit.

The YJ-18 is best described as an anti-ship cruise missile that flies with powered propulsion and uses guidance to seek ships, then goes through a supersonic terminal phase to hit the target. Its range is around 290 nautical miles, which fits the description of a relatively compact, ship-attack missile rather than a long-range or ballistic weapon. It is not a ballistic missile, which follows a high-arching trajectory, nor a surface-to-air missile aimed at aircraft or missiles, and it isn’t a long-range cruise missile with thousands of nautical miles. The combination of a ship-targeting role, cruise-missile flight profile, and supersonic terminal approach with a ~290 nmi range makes the statement describing it as a supersonic terminal attack missile with a range of 290 nautical miles the best fit.