The latest in a series of new military concepts from China is a hypersonic boost-glide weapon that can launch other weapons, its own drones.

The new unpowered boost-glide weapon concept will carry payload subloads that can be launched in mid-flight to strike multiple targets. Additionally, sub-payloads can also be used for electronic warfare and reconnaissance operations.

A model of the conceptual weapon, called GDF-600, was displayed at the Zhuhai Airshow in China by the Guangdong Academy of Aerodynamic Research (GARA).

Depending on the model presented at the air show, the weapon can carry several payloads at once. Something that significantly enhances the capabilities of the hypersonic weapon to cause even more concern for any enemy.

Hypersonic boost-glide weapons consist of a maneuverable glide vehicle launched on a ballistic missile or rocket booster. Due to their ability to constantly change course before reaching the target, they are considered quite difficult to defend.

Adding sub-payloads will make the equation more complex and increase the concerns of any military facing China, if the weapon sees the light of day.

GDF-600 – China’s hypersonic boost-glide weapon concept

According to details shared by Michael Jerdev on X (formerly Twitter), the GDF-600 concept promises to have a maximum speed of up to Mach 7 (5,370 miles per hour).

The company says it can have a launch mass of 11,023 pounds (5,000 kg) and can carry payloads of up to 2,645 pounds (1,200 kg).

Additionally, the hypersonic vehicle can travel up to a distance of 372 miles (600 km) and reach a maximum trajectory altitude of 24 miles (40 km).

The company also states that it can carry five different types of sub-payloads, which can further achieve different levels of top speeds and hit targets at different distances.

At first glance, it seems that the company’s sub-payloads were created to achieve various goals, such as reconnaissance, hitting targets on land and even those at sea.

Additionally, it can also welcome several unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), as revealed by the model presented at the air show.

Some X users also have underlines than the hypersonic GDF-600 vehicle appears to be based on the MD-22 test project revealed two years earlier at the Zhuhai Airshow.

Other revelations at the Zhuhai Air Show

Other innovations surfacing at the Zhuhai Air Show include a drone mothership, which would have a maximum takeoff mass of 10 tonnes and could have the ability to launch swarms of drones into the air.

The drone, called Jiu Tianwhich means “High Sky” in Chinese, is powered by jet engines. Its design was carried out by the government company Aviation Industry Corporation of China (AVIC).

Additionally, the latest report from Beijing carrier-based combat aircraftthe J-15D, was publicly demonstrated for the first time during an adaptive training session in the city of Zhuhai, in South China’s Guangdong province.

The J-15D is a two-seat electronic warfare aircraft that integrates electronic jamming capabilities with strike functions, potentially playing a vital role in combat situations.