South Korea achieved its first successful flight of the Cheonryong long‑range air‑launched cruise missile after two earlier failures in January and March. The missile, designed to destroy underground North Korean command and control centers, was launched from an FA‑50 fighter, ignited its engine, and followed its planned trajectory.
Cheonryong boasts a range of over 600 km, a hit‑point accuracy of 1–2 m, low‑altitude flight with stealth features to reduce radar detection, and the ability to penetrate deep concrete bunkers, comparable to the German Taurus KEPD 350. It also resists electronic warfare through inertial navigation, terrain‑contour matching, and imaging guidance.
The missile is slated for mass production in 2029 and will be operational on the KF‑21 Boramae fighter in the early 2030s, with compatibility also planned for the KF‑16, F‑15K, and FA‑50.
South Korea developed Cheonryong to lessen reliance on imported Taurus missiles and to strengthen its pre‑emptive strike capability against North Korean underground facilities.