Speculation is mounting that the images from China show a developing air-launched ballistic missile, though the plane is described simply as being able to carry “large external objects” in the captions.
Only Russia currently has an air-launched ballistic missile system in use. The hypersonic Kinzhal was launched in 2017 and can be fired from a MiG-31 interceptor.
The concept is one that both the UK and the US has attempted to develop. But America’s plans, based on the Royal Navy’s existing sea-based nuclear deterrent, linked to Plymouth’s Devonport Naval Base, were abandoned.
