China's state broadcaster CCTV aired footage of a previously unseen variant of the DF-26 medium-range ballistic missile, featuring a flattened nose design. The change may indicate a new maneuverable warhead and improved capability to target moving naval vessels, including aircraft carriers, according to the report.
CCTV, China's state broadcaster, aired footage of a new variant of the DF-26 medium-range ballistic missile, part of the People's Liberation Army Rocket Force arsenal. The missile features a flattened nose cone replacing the traditional conical shape, which analysts suggest could accommodate a maneuverable reentry vehicle (MaRV) and a larger nose section that may house an active radar seeker or integrated guidance system. This would enhance the DF-26's ability to engage moving maritime targets such as U.S. Navy aircraft carriers. The footage also revealed previously unseen light-colored panels or technical elements beneath the missile's forward section, indicating additional design updates. The DF-26 is capable of carrying both conventional and nuclear warheads.
This disclosure comes amid a series of recent Chinese military technology reveals, including a full-scale replica of a U.S. warship at a testing range, a 100-gigawatt microwave weapon, and a rare ICBM test into the Pacific, as reported by The Zioneer in recent weeks. The specific implications of the new variant remain unconfirmed, pending further analysis of the CCTV footage.
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