China’s next generation of cruise missiles will be fitted with artificial intelligence technology to guide themselves in flight and choose targets.

Wang Changqing, a senior missile designer at the Third Academy of the China Aerospace Science and Industry Corp, told China Daily that China’s next generation of missiles will be developed based on a modular design (allowing them to be adapted to different combat situations), and will have a high level of artificial intelligence.

“We plan to adopt a ‘plug and play’ approach in the development of new cruise missiles, which will enable our military commanders to tailor-make missiles in accordance with combat conditions and their specific requirements,” he said.

“Moreover, our future cruise missiles will have a very high level of artificial intelligence and automation. They will allow commanders to control them in a real-time manner, or to use a fire-and-forget mode, or even to add more tasks to in-flight missiles.”

According to the aerospace science group, these missiles will be flexible and multi-functional, and will reduce development and storage costs for manufacturers.

Chinese engineers have researched the use of artificial intelligence in missiles for many years, and are currently world leaders in this field, according to Wang.

China is currently in the process of modernising its military weapons, with this being the latest news about a range of developments including stealth fighters and aircraft carriers.