Discover China's new HTF 5750 HEV 12x12 ballistic missile carrier created to be harder to detect.

As reported by David Wang on August 6, 2025, a vehicle identified as the HTF 5750 HEV was photographed at a highway service area, marking its first known public appearance since 2022. This 12x12 heavy hybrid-electric wheeled chassis appears to be a new-generation platform developed by China Aerospace Science and Industry Corporation (CASIC) for potential use as a transporter-erector-launcher (TEL) vehicle.
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Reports suggest that the HTF 5750 HEV may be intended for next-generation missile platforms, including an enlarged variant of the DF-17 hypersonic glide vehicle, or even a possible TEL for the longer-range DF-27. (Picture source: X/David Wang)

David Wang has previously identified at least three hybrid-electric wheeled chassis variants in this category. The HTF 5750 HEV is considered a development of the HTF 5700 HEV, which was first publicly referenced in 2020 through Chinese state media and has since been captured during night road trials, showing characteristics such as formal paint schemes and modular configurations. Both vehicles use hybrid propulsion and are reportedly configured to reduce the center of gravity and noise while increasing mobility and stealth.

A TEL, or transporter-erector-launcher, is a mobile platform designed to carry, elevate, and fire ballistic or cruise missiles. These vehicles are typically equipped with multiple axles to support the heavy weight of long-range missiles and are engineered for cross-country mobility to enable rapid repositioning. TELs allow for concealed transport and flexible launch operations, often serving as a critical component of second-strike or deterrence capabilities. Their ability to move independently from fixed bases enhances survivability by complicating enemy targeting, making them a core element of mobile missile forces such as those operated by the PLA Rocket Force.

The HTF 5700 HEV introduced a hybrid-electric propulsion layout based on a range-extending architecture, where mechanical transmission is retained but supplemented by electrical drive systems. Two diesel generator units, one on each side of the chassis, reportedly produce high-voltage current for electric motors integrated at each wheel axle. These motors enable the platform to operate in full electric drive mode for reduced acoustic and thermal signatures, hybrid mode for combined power, and mechanical mode if needed. Unlike centralized mechanical drivetrains such as the one on the Russian MAZ-MZKT-79221 TEL, which has an 870 hp diesel engine and centrally placed components, the Chinese design distributes propulsion elements along the chassis sides. This reduces structural height and allows missile loads to be placed lower, thereby reducing rollover risk and enabling greater tactical maneuverability over complex terrain.

The HTF 5700 HEV series supports both 12x10 and 12x12 drive configurations, offering flexibility depending on terrain and operational requirements. Detailed photographic analysis reveals axle-mounted electric drive modules and planetary hub reductions visible as protruding wheel hubs on powered axles. For example, in the 12x10 variant, the fourth axle is a free-rolling support axle, while others are equipped with electric motors. In the 12x12 configuration, all axles are powered, with certain axles supporting steering functions. The use of electric motors at each axle, coupled with independent steering systems, enhances turn radius and movement in confined spaces. Each axle motor receives electricity from high-voltage cabling routed through modular distribution and control systems, which are visible in several state media videos and social media photographs. This distributed approach eliminates traditional mechanical elements such as transfer cases and drive shafts, reducing vehicle weight and simplifying maintenance.

The hybrid-electric system is supported by a lithium iron phosphate (LFP) battery pack that stores energy generated by the diesel engines. This configuration allows the vehicle to operate in electric-only mode when required. System voltage is believed to exceed 350 volts, based on component layouts and visible cabling. Flat-wire wound electric motors, favored for their higher torque density and lower heat output, are reportedly integrated into the platform. Some versions may include inter-axle motors combined with half-shafts and reduction gears, rather than wheel hub motors. The vehicle’s modular electrical design allows for multiple mission configurations without significant mechanical redesign. As power needs increase with more complex payloads, the HTF 5700/5750 HEV chassis can also accommodate higher voltage and current loads through upgrades in motor control modules and cooling systems.

The timing and design of the HTF 5750 HEV suggest possible alignment with evolving TEL requirements for systems such as the DF-17 and DF-27. Photographs indicate that the DF-17's five-axle TEL may already employ a hybrid chassis with a similar layout, including the presence of electrical cabinet structures between certain axles. The HTF 5750 HEV, with its six-axle 12x12 configuration, could support heavier or longer-range systems such as the DF-27, which has been speculated to have sufficient range to reach targets such as Guam. According to available imagery and open-source analysis, its chassis configuration, energy management design, and lower center of gravity may be intended to enhance survivability and deployment flexibility, particularly in regions with limited infrastructure or requiring concealment. The hybrid system also enables onboard power supply for equipment such as radars or launch preparations, allowing extended readiness with reduced reliance on external generators.

The development of the HTF 5700 and 5750 HEV series takes place within the context of China's broader national strategy for hybrid and electric vehicle development. Since 2014, China has implemented policies to build a vertically integrated electric vehicle industry, which has included research and mass production of components such as LFP batteries, flat-wire motors, and high-voltage electronic controllers. The transfer of these technologies into military platforms has allowed for TELs that use electric mobility not only for propulsion but also for auxiliary systems. By eliminating mechanical transfer assemblies and adopting 800-volt electrical architectures, these platforms can support higher power output at lower current, which reduces the stress on connectors and enhances component longevity. This enables the integration of modern weapon systems or surveillance equipment without compromising the platform’s endurance or structural design.

The HTF 5750 HEV's role in China's military structure is likely tied to the Rocket Force’s strategic mobility requirements. While no official deployment has been confirmed, frequent sightings of hybrid-electric prototypes during field tests and movement along highways suggest the vehicle may have reached a pre-production or initial production phase. Commentary from Chinese military blogs and industrial sources also indicates the HTF 5700 HEV’s architecture has been in evaluation for at least four years, with technical concept work potentially dating back even earlier. Its propulsion and electrical system designs correspond closely with China’s civil and defense industrial capabilities, indicating a deliberate effort to bypass limitations associated with traditional heavy-duty mechanical TEL platforms. Whether this hybrid system will be standardized across multiple missile systems or reserved for specialized deployments remains to be confirmed, but the chassis represents a shift in design priorities emphasizing modularity, electric propulsion, and integrated vehicle electrification.

Since the early 2010s, China has leveraged its dominant position in the global electric vehicle market to transfer technologies such as flat-wire motors, which allow higher torque densities and lower heat output, to military vehicles. (Picture source: X/David Wang)