Although Chinese state media did not identify the weapon, military analysts believe it could represent one of China’s most capable air-launched strike systems. A different kind of missile According to Global Times, citing Wang Yanan, editor-in-chief of Beijing-based Aerospace Knowledge magazine, the missile is likely an air-launched ballistic missile designed for either anti-ship or land-attack missions. If the weapon is indeed an air-launched ballistic missile, it would represent a different operational concept from conventional cruise missiles. Why launch a ballistic missile from an aircraft? The biggest advantage of an air-launched ballistic missile is flexibility.