Chinese Missiles
Chinese Surface-to-Surface Missiles
CSS-1
Chinese designation: DF-2/DF-2A
Lenght: 20.6 m
Diameter: 1.65 m
Weight: 32,000 kg
Range: 1,050/1,250 km
Propulsion: Single-stage liquid-propellant rocket
Guidance: Inertial
Warhead: 12 kT or 3 MT nuclear
Launch system: Mobile
Operational: Entered service in 1969, phased out in 1979
CEP: 2,000-4,000 m
The DF-2 MRBM was reverse-engineered from two Soviet R-2 (SS-3) missiles delivered to China in 1958. The missile was transported on a trailer, and the launch preparations took several hours. The DF-2 was designed to strike Japan, and the first successful test flight was made in June 1964. However, the it was not operationally deployed until 1969. About 50 missiles were deployed in the mid-1970s, but they have now been replaced by the DF-3.
CSS-2
Chinese designation: DF-3/DF-3A
Lenght: 24.0 m
Diameter: 2.25 m
Weight: 64,000 kg
Range: 2,650/2,800 km
Propulsion: Single-stage liquid-propellant rocket
Guidance: Inertial
Warhead: 2,150 kg HE or 3.3 MT nuclear
Launch system: Mobile
Operational: In service since 1971/1986, 40 units
CEP: 1,000-4,000 m
The development of the DF-3 IRBM, designed to strike the US military installations in the Philippines, began in September 1958. The first test firing was made in 1966. Originally the missile carried a single nuclear warhead with a yield of 1 to 3 megatons, but in June 1986 the Chinese began the flight tests of a version with three re-entry vehicles, each with a yield of 50 to 100 kilotons. During the 1980s up to 90-120 missiles were deployed, but they are now being replaced by the DF-21A. In 1987 China sold 36 to 60 DF-3 missiles to Saudi Arabia.
CSS-3
Chinese designation: DF-4
Lenght: 28.0 m
Diameter: 2.25 m
Weight: 80,000 kg
Range: 4,750 km
Propulsion: Two-stage liquid-propellant rocket
Guidance: Inertial
Warhead: 3.3 MT nuclear
Launch system: Fixed pad
Operational: In service since 1975, 20 units
CEP: 1,400-3,500 m
The DF-4 IRBM was designed to strike the US base at Guam and later its range was increased so that it could hit Moscow also. The missile was first tested in 1970, but it was believed that only four missiles had been deployed by 1984. The accuracy of the missile was improved by software upgrades in 1985. There are two launch configurations for the DF-4: rollout-to-launch site and elevate-to-launch silo. Many missiles are stored in tunnels under high mountains and must be moved into the open and fueled before launch. The fueling operation takes about two hours. The DF-4 IRBMs are based at Da Qaidam, Delingha, Sundian, Tongdao and Xiao Qaidam.
CSS-4 Mod 1/Mod 2
Chinese designation: DF-5/DF-5A
Lenght: 32.6 m
Diameter: 3.35 m
Weight: 183,000 kg
Range: 10,000/13,000 km
Propulsion: Two-stage liquid-propellant rocket
Guidance: Inertial
Warhead: 4-5 MT nuclear
Launch system: Fixed silo
Operational: In service since 1981, 20 units
CEP: 500-3,000 m
The first partial range test of a Chinese ICBM was made in September 1971 and the first full-range tests of the DF-5 were made in May 1980. Initially the missiles were stored in tunnels under high mountains in a horizontal position, and launched immediately outside the mouth of the tunnel. The first pair of DF-5 silos was completed in 1981. China has constructed a large number of decoy silos to improve the survivability of its ICBM force. The DF-5A introduced in 1983 is an improved version with longer range, increased throw-weight from 3,000 to 3,200 kg and better accuracy. A MIRVed version may have been tested in 1986. There is considerable confusion about the number of missiles deployed, the estimates varying between 4 and 25 missiles. The missiles are based at Luoning, Wuzhai, Xuanhua and Tongdao.
CSS-5 Mod 1/Mod 2
Chinese designation: DF-21/DF-21A
Lenght: 10.7 m
Diameter: 1.4 m
Weight: 14,700 kg
Range: ?/1,800 km
Propulsion: Two-stage solid-propellant rocket
Guidance: Inertial
Warhead: 600 kg HE or 200-300 kT nuclear
Launch system: TEL
Operational: In service since 1986, 48-60 units
CEP: 300-400 m
The development of the DF-21 MRBM was ordered in 1967 as a replacement for the DF-3. The DF-21 is a land-based version of the JL-1 SLBM and thus has a cold launch capability. The first successful test flight was made in May 1985 and the missile was deployed soon thereafter. Although the DF-21 is normally armed with a nuclear warhead, China has recently reconfigured some of its DF-21s with a conventional warhead. The missiles, based at Chuxiong, Jianshui, Lianxiwang and Tonghua, are targeted against Taiwan, Japan and India. Preparation time for launch is 10-15 minutes. The latest DF-21X version reduces the CEP to 40 meters and increases the range to 2,100 kilometers. It has an improved guidance system and is capable of carrying a new ground-penetrating warhead.
CSS-6
Chinese designation: DF-15
Export designation: M-9
Lenght: 9.1 m
Diameter: 1.0 m
Weight: 6,200 kg
Range: 600 km
Propulsion: Single-stage solid-propellant rocket
Guidance: Inertial + terminal correction
Warhead: 950 kg HE or 50-350 kT nuclear
Launch system: TEL
Operational: In service since 1991, 50+ units
CEP: 280-300 m
The DF-15 is a mobile SRBM developed during the 1980s. The missile body is designed to trail behind the separated warhead to provide camouflage for it. The system utilizes a Chinese-designed eight-wheel TEL with good off-road capabilities. The missiles are coordinated by an advanced digital computer system and have an operational preparation time of less than 30 minutes. By mid-2000 China had one DF-15 regiment deployed to Leping, Nanping and Yong'an. Improved models have a steerable warhead and a GPS-based terminal guidance with a CEP of 90 meters, which allows the targeting of specific structures, is also under development. Israel may have provided technical assistance for these improvements.
CSS-7 Mod 1/Mod 2
Chinese designation: DF-11/?
Export designation: M-11
Lenght: 9.25/11.25 m
Diameter: 0.88 m
Weight: 6,350/? kg
Range: 300/? km
Propulsion: Single-stage solid-propellant rocket
Guidance: Inertial + terminal correction
Warhead: 800 kg HE or 350 kT nuclear
Launch system: TEL
Operational: In service since 1992, 40+ units
CEP: 150-200 m
The DF-11 SRBM is a replacement for the Chinese Scud missiles, its development starting in 1985. Several types of conventional warheads are available against hardened, underground, or soft targets. The missile was originally fitted on the Russian MAZ-543 chassis, but currently a locally produced TEL is utilized. In the October 1999 parade the Mod 2 version of the missile was first displayed. The new missile is two meters longer, and is believed to have longer range, a larger warhead and better accuracy. The accuracy of the DF-11 may further improve in the future with the addition of GPS guidance technology. Launch preparation time is 30-45 minutes. At least 34 M-11 missiles were sold to Pakistan in November 1992.
CSS-8
Chinese designation: 8610
Export designation: M-7
Lenght: 10.8 m
Diameter: 0.65 m
Weight: 2,650 kg
Range: 160 km
Propulsion: Single-stage liquid-propellant rocket
Guidance: Inertial
Warhead: 190 kg HE
Launch system: TEL
Operational: Not entered service
CEP: 150 m
The M-7 SRBM is based on the HQ-2 SAM with the radar guidance unit replaced with a simplified inertial guidance system. The missile was probably designed solely for export, and has not entered service in China. At least 20 missiles were exported to Iran in 1992.
CSS-X-9
Chinese designation: DF-31
Lenght: 10.0 m
Diameter: 2.0 m
Weight: 20,000 kg
Range: 8,000 km
Propulsion: Three-stage solid-propellant rocket
Guidance: Inertial + GPS
Warhead: 0.35-1.0 MT nuclear
Launch system: Mobile
Operational: Entering service
CEP: 300-500 m
The DF-31 second-generation ICBM is a land-based variant of the JL-2 SLBM. The advanced features of the missile, including penetration aids, have protracted its development. The DF-31 was reportedly first tested on 29 April 1992, but the first two launches were failures. Four successful launches were then made between June 1995 and December 1996. Additional test flights were made at least in October 1997 and August 1999. Operational deployment of the missile is expected in 2002 or 2003 to the Wuzhai base. In the future up to three MIRVs and a new TEL with better off-road mobility are expected to be fielded. Launch preparation time is 10-15 minutes.
CSS-X-10
Chinese designation: DF-41
Lenght: 15.0 m
Diameter: 2.0 m
Weight: 30,000 kg
Range: 12,000 km
Propulsion: Three-stage solid-propellant rocket
Guidance: Inertial + GPS
Warhead: 3-6 50-100 kT MIRV
Launch system: Mobile
Operational: Cancelled
CEP: 700-800 m
The DF-41 second-generation ICBM is created by the addition of an enlarged third stage to the DF-31 missile. Launch preparation time is 3-5 minutes. No flight test have been made, and the program may now have been cancelled. Service entry was expected around the year 2010.
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