Chinese scientists are developing a supersonic anti-ship missile capable of submerging under water, the South China Morning Post reports.

The publication quoted the developers of the project as saying that the five-meter missile will be able to fly at a speed of more than 2.5M at an altitude of about 10 km - before submerging underwater. Under water, the rocket will be able to overcome a distance of 20 kilometers.

According to the publication, once the missile is within 10 km of its target, it will go into torpedo mode, moving underwater at up to 100 m/s, forming a giant air bubble around itself, which reduces drag. The missile can also change course or plunge sharply to a depth of up to 100 meters.

The South China Morning Post estimates that the main challenge scientists have faced is creating a propulsion system that can provide the necessary thrust both in the air and underwater. According to scientists, boron, which reacts actively in both environments, generating large amounts of heat, could help.