South Korea Reveals Air-Launched Anti-Ship Hypersonic Missile After Land-Based Hycore Launch.

South Korea's Hyundai Rotem released a video on February 19, 2026, unveiling its air-launched hypersonic anti-ship cruise missile concept while highlighting progress on the land-based Hycore hypersonic cruise vehicle. The reveal signals accelerated development of scramjet-powered strike systems aimed at strengthening South Korea’s maritime deterrence posture.

In a video published on X on February 19, 2026, South Korea's Hyundai Rotem unveiled its air-launched hypersonic anti-ship cruise missile while highlighting continued progress on the land-based Hycore hypersonic cruise vehicle. The footage did not depict a live missile launch but instead presented a conceptual visualization of the air-launched variant, signaling that multiple configurations are now moving forward within South Korea’s scramjet-powered weapons program. The announcement reflects Seoul’s sustained effort to field high-speed maritime strike capabilities and demonstrates growing confidence in the country’s domestic propulsion, guidance, and missile production base.
Follow Army Recognition on Google News at this link

Screenshot from Hyundai Rotem video released on February 19, 2026, showing an artistic rendering of South Korea’s new air-launched hypersonic anti-ship cruise missile variant derived from the Hycore program.(Picture source: Hyundai Rotem)

The air-launched hypersonic anti-ship cruise missile, widely presumed to correspond to the K-HCM, is presented as a distinct configuration derived from the ground-launched Hycore system. According to the information released, the airborne variant differs structurally by eliminating the interstage section used in the land-based configuration and by employing a single booster optimized for air-launch conditions. The missile is also described as incorporating larger wings designed to support long-range cruising during sustained hypersonic flight. These adaptations suggest aerodynamic refinements intended to maximize efficiency and range once the missile transitions to scramjet-powered cruise.

The land-based Hycore hypersonic cruise vehicle, whose successful launch preceded the February 19 disclosure, serves as the technological backbone of the broader missile family. That test validated key propulsion and flight characteristics necessary for stable hypersonic operation, enabling engineers to move forward with variant expansion. Hyundai Rotem confirmed that development of scramjet-based configurations is being accelerated in parallel, reflecting confidence gained from the successful launch milestone.

The program brings together some of South Korea’s most prominent defense entities. Hyundai Rotem, traditionally recognized for its armored vehicle production, including the K2 main battle tank, is playing a leading role in system integration. Hanwha Aerospace contributes expertise in propulsion and aerospace systems, while the Agency for Defense Development leads advanced research in hypersonic technologies, including combustion stability, thermal protection, and guidance integration. This industrial partnership illustrates how Seoul is leveraging coordinated national capabilities to enter the highly complex field of hypersonic cruise missiles.

Scramjet propulsion lies at the heart of the system. Unlike conventional rocket-powered ballistic missiles that follow predictable high-arc trajectories, a scramjet-powered hypersonic cruise missile sustains atmospheric flight at speeds exceeding Mach 5. By compressing incoming air at supersonic velocity without rotating compressor components, the scramjet enables efficient high-speed combustion and prolonged powered cruise. This approach allows the missile to maneuver dynamically during flight, complicating interception by advanced naval air defense systems.

South Korea’s move must be viewed in the context of intensifying global competition in hypersonic anti-ship weaponry. China has fielded anti-ship ballistic missiles such as the DF-21D and DF-26 and continues to advance hypersonic glide vehicle technologies designed to hold carrier strike groups at risk. Russia has operationalized the 3M22 Zircon hypersonic cruise missile, reportedly capable of speeds above Mach 8 and deployable from both surface ships and submarines. The United States is developing several hypersonic systems, including air-launched and naval concepts, as part of broader efforts to counter emerging anti-access and area denial threats. India is also progressing with the BrahMos-II hypersonic cruise missile program, targeting both land and maritime strike missions.

In modern naval warfare, the operational value of an air-launched hypersonic anti-ship missile is significant. Speed alone compresses defensive reaction times to seconds, while sustained atmospheric maneuverability reduces the predictability that characterizes ballistic threats. Unlike subsonic sea-skimming missiles that depend primarily on stealth and low-altitude flight, hypersonic systems combine extreme velocity with trajectory flexibility. When integrated onto combat aircraft, they also benefit from extended reach and deployment flexibility, enabling forces to project maritime strike capability deep into contested waters without reliance on fixed launch infrastructure.

For the Republic of Korea, the emergence of an air-launched hypersonic anti-ship capability would enhance deterrence and provide a powerful counter to heavily defended surface combatants operating in the Indo-Pacific region. Aircraft such as the F-15K or the future KF-21 Boramae could serve as launch platforms, significantly expanding operational envelopes and strengthening rapid-response options in maritime contingencies.

The February 19, 2026, video release signals that South Korea’s hypersonic missile program is transitioning from isolated technological demonstrations toward a diversified family of operational configurations. By accelerating variant development immediately after a successful flight test, Hyundai Rotem and its partners are positioning the country among a select group of nations capable of fielding advanced hypersonic cruise weapons. As regional naval competition intensifies, the strategic implications of this capability are likely to extend well beyond the Korean Peninsula, reshaping calculations in one of the world’s most strategically sensitive maritime theaters.

Written by Alain Servaes – Chief Editor, Army Recognition Group
Alain Servaes is a former infantry non-commissioned officer and the founder of Army Recognition. With over 20 years in defense journalism, he provides expert analysis on military equipment, NATO operations, and the global defense industry.