China’s low-cost ‘cement-coated’ hypersonic missile could hit Mach 7

Chinese aerospace company Lingkong Tianxing has developed the YKJ-1000, a low-cost hypersonic glide missile capable of reaching speeds up to Mach 7 and striking targets up to 1,300 kilometers away. Notably, the missile uses unconventional, civilian-grade materials such as foamed concrete for its heat-resistant coating, earning it the nickname “cement-coated missile” on Chinese social media. The YKJ-1000 reportedly entered mass production following successful combat trials, with a unit cost around US$99,000—dramatically lower than comparable Western interceptors like the U.S. SM-6 or THAAD missiles, which cost millions of dollars each. This cost advantage could disrupt global defense markets by providing an affordable yet potent precision strike capability. Analysts highlight the strategic implications of the YKJ-1000’s affordability and performance, noting it could allow smaller nations to challenge advanced military assets such as U.S. carrier strike groups within operational range. The missile’s