| Revision as of 07:48, 4 October 2019 edit203.16.41.5 (talk)No edit summary← Previous edit | Revision as of 09:46, 7 October 2019 edit undo2409:4073:19a:e399:ed7c:e271:29c6:761 (talk)No edit summaryNext edit → | ||
| Line 25: | Line 25: | ||
| ==Design== | ==Design== | ||
| The missile reportedly has an operational range between {{convert|12000|to|15000|km|mi}}.<ref name=jane/><ref name=missilethreat-2014>{{cite web |url=http://missilethreat.csis.org/missile/dong-feng-41/ |title=DF-41 (CSS-X-10) |publisher=Missilethreat.csis.org |date=12 February 2014 |accessdate=8 March 2014}}</ref> This would make it the world's longest-range missile, surpassing that of the US ], which has a reported range of {{convert|13000|km|mi}}.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.astronautix.com/lvs/mineman3.htm |title=Archived copy |accessdate=2014-10-06 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20180129000000/http://www.astronautix.com/lvs/mineman3.htm |archivedate=2018-01-29 }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://missilethreat.csis.org/missile/minuteman-iii/|title=Minuteman III|last=|first=|date=|website=CSIS Missile Defense Project|language=en-US|url-status=live|archive-url=|archive-date=|access-date=2019-10-02}}</ref> It is believed to have a top speed of Mach 25,<ref name="armedforces-int.com"/> and to be capable of ] delivery (up to 12).<ref name=jane/> The development of the MIRV technology is reported to be in response to the deployment of the ] system which degrades China's ] capability.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.idsa.in/idsacomments/DF-41ChinasanswertotheUSBMDefforts_ArjunSubramaniam_121112 |title=DF-41: China's answer to the US BMD efforts |author=Arjun Subramanian P |publisher=] |date=12 November 2012 |accessdate=8 March 2014}}</ref> The project started in 1986,<ref name=jane/> and may now be coupled with the ] program. | The missile reportedly has an operational range between {{convert|12000|to|15000|km|mi}}.<ref name=jane/><ref name=missilethreat-2014>{{cite web |url=http://missilethreat.csis.org/missile/dong-feng-41/ |title=DF-41 (CSS-X-10) |publisher=Missilethreat.csis.org |date=12 February 2014 |accessdate=8 March 2014}}</ref> This would make it the world's longest-range missile, surpassing that of the US ], which has a reported range of {{convert|13000|km|mi}}.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.astronautix.com/lvs/mineman3.htm |title=Archived copy |accessdate=2014-10-06 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20180129000000/http://www.astronautix.com/lvs/mineman3.htm |archivedate=2018-01-29 }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://missilethreat.csis.org/missile/minuteman-iii/|title=Minuteman III|last=|first=|date=|website=CSIS Missile Defense Project|language=en-US|url-status=live|archive-url=|archive-date=|access-date=2019-10-02}}</ref> It is believed to have a top speed of Mach 25,<ref name="armedforces-int.com"/> and to be capable of ] delivery (up to 12).<ref name=jane/> The development of the MIRV technology is reported to be in response to the deployment of the ] system which degrades China's ] capability.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.idsa.in/idsacomments/DF-41ChinasanswertotheUSBMDefforts_ArjunSubramaniam_121112 |title=DF-41: China's answer to the US BMD efforts |author=Arjun Subramanian P |publisher=] |date=12 November 2012 |accessdate=8 March 2014}}</ref> The project started in 1986,<ref name=jane/> and may now be coupled with the ] program. | ||
| Though there have been reports that the DF-41 can carry 6 to 10 ]s, analysts think it most likely carries only three warheads, with the additional payload used for many ]s.<ref>{{Cite journal|first1=Hans M.|last1=Kristensen|first2= Robert S.|last2=Norris|doi=10.1080/00963402.2018.1486620|title=Chinese nuclear forces, 2018|journal=Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists|volume=74|issue=4|date=2018}}</ref> | |||
| Richard Fisher, an expert on ] military affairs, says that a typical ] unit has 6-12 missile launchers and may have an additional 6-12 "reload missiles", i.e. missiles to be launched after the first missile with which the launcher is equipped are launched, indicating 12-24 DF-41 missiles per unit. If a missile had 10 warheads, that would give a single SAC unit the capability to target the contiguous United States with 120-240 nuclear warheads.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://freebeacon.com/national-security/chinese-government-website-confirms-new-multi-warhead-icbm/|title=Chinese Government Website Confirms New Multi-Warhead ICBM|date=2014-08-01|website=Washington Free Beacon|language=en-US|access-date=2019-10-02}}</ref> | Richard Fisher, an expert on ] military affairs, says that a typical ] unit has 6-12 missile launchers and may have an additional 6-12 "reload missiles", i.e. missiles to be launched after the first missile with which the launcher is equipped are launched, indicating 12-24 DF-41 missiles per unit. If a missile had 10 warheads, that would give a single SAC unit the capability to target the contiguous United States with 120-240 nuclear warheads.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://freebeacon.com/national-security/chinese-government-website-confirms-new-multi-warhead-icbm/|title=Chinese Government Website Confirms New Multi-Warhead ICBM|date=2014-08-01|website=Washington Free Beacon|language=en-US|access-date=2019-10-02}}</ref> | ||
Revision as of 09:46, 7 October 2019
ICBM| DF-41 | |
|---|---|
| Type | ICBM |
| Place of origin | China |
| Service history | |
| In service | 2017 |
| Used by | People's Liberation Army Rocket Force |
| Production history | |
| Manufacturer | China Academy of Launch Vehicle Technology (CALT) |
| Specifications | |
| Mass | ~80,000 kilograms (180,000 lb) |
| Length | ~21 metres (69 ft) |
| Diameter | ~2.25 m (7 ft 5 in) |
| Warhead | Thermonuclear weapon, 10-12 MIRVs (single 1 Megaton or MIRV with selectable 20, 90, 150 kiloton) |
| Engine | Three-stage Solid-fuel rocket |
| Operational range | ~14,000–15,000 kilometres (8,700–9,300 mi) |
| Maximum speed | Mach 25 (30,600 km/h; 19,000 mph; 8.51 km/s) |
| Guidance system | Inertial, likely with stellar updates and BeiDou |
| Accuracy | 100m CEP |
| Launch platform | Silo, road-mobile Transporter erector launcher |
The Dongfeng-41 (DF-41, CSS-X-10) (simplified Chinese: 东风-41; traditional Chinese: 東風-41; lit. 'East Wind-41'), is a Chinese solid-fuelled road-mobile intercontinental ballistic missile. The missile, reportedly capable of reaching the contiguous United States within 30 minutes, was officially unveiled at the China Day military parade on October 1st, 2019.
Design
The missile reportedly has an operational range between 12,000 to 15,000 kilometres (7,500 to 9,300 mi). This would make it the world's longest-range missile, surpassing that of the US LGM-30 Minuteman, which has a reported range of 13,000 kilometres (8,100 mi). It is believed to have a top speed of Mach 25, and to be capable of MIRV delivery (up to 12). The development of the MIRV technology is reported to be in response to the deployment of the United States national missile defense system which degrades China's nuclear deterrence capability. The project started in 1986, and may now be coupled with the JL-2 program.
Richard Fisher, an expert on Asia-Pacific military affairs, says that a typical Second Artillery Corps unit has 6-12 missile launchers and may have an additional 6-12 "reload missiles", i.e. missiles to be launched after the first missile with which the launcher is equipped are launched, indicating 12-24 DF-41 missiles per unit. If a missile had 10 warheads, that would give a single SAC unit the capability to target the contiguous United States with 120-240 nuclear warheads.
Development
Air Power Australia reported that the DF-41 was cancelled pre-2000, with the technology developed transferred to the DF-31A. It was incorrectly anticipated that the DF-41 would be delivered to the Second Artillery around the year 2010. Some military experts had expected that it could be unveiled at the 2009 National Parade. However, rehearsals of the military parade did not feature this missile.
The American conservative website The Washington Free Beacon reported in August 2012 that the DF-41 had its first flight test on July 24, 2012.
In April 2013, Taiwan's National Security Bureau head reported to the Legislative Yuan that the DF-41 was still in development, and not yet deployed.
The U.S. Department of Defense in its 2013 report to Congress on China's military developments made no explicit mention of the DF-41, but did state that "China may also be developing a new road-mobile ICBM, possibly capable of carrying a multiple independently targetable re-entry vehicle (MIRV)", which may refer to the DF-41. Later in 2013 the Washington Free Beacon reported that the second launch test took place on December 13, 2013 from the Wuzhai missile launch center in Shanxi province to an impact range in western China, according to officials familiar with details of the tests.
The Free Beacon reported in June 2014 that U.S. officials had said by then that the DF-41 was test launched twice since 2012.
In August 2014, China Shaanxi Provincial Environmental Monitoring Center website accidentally made a news report about events of setting environmental monitoring site for DF-41 ICBM; the news report (and the whole website) was taken down shortly after getting public attention.
In December, The Washington Free Beacon claimed that China had test-launched a DF-41 using multiple reentry vehicles for the first time on 13 December 2014. Later that month, China confirmed that the launch occurred, saying it has a legitimate right to conduct scientific tests within its border, that they were not targeting any country, and the development of the missile did not affect China's policy of not using nuclear weapons first in a conflict. The launch took place at the Wuzhai Missile and Space Test Center in central China and impacted in the west of the country.
In August 2015, the missile was flight-tested for the fourth time.
In December 2015, the missile was flight-tested for the fifth time. The flight test demonstrated the use of two multiple independently targetable reentry vehicles. The missile launch and dummy warheads were tracked by satellites to an impact range in western China.
In April 2016, China successfully conducted the 7th test of DF-41 with two dummy warheads near the South China Sea, amid growing tensions between Washington and Beijing about the area.
On January 23, 2017, China was reported to have deployed a strategic ballistic missile brigade to Heilongjiang province, bordering Russia, along with another strategic ballistic missile brigade deploying to Xinjiang.
In November 2017, just two days before U.S. President Trump's visit to China, the DF-41 was tested in the Gobi desert.
On October 1, 2019, China on its 70th anniversary displayed the missiles in a large military parade.
Rail-mobile version
On 5 December 2015 China conducted a launcher test of a new rail-mobile version of the DF-41, similar to the Russian RT-23 Molodets.
References
- ^ "DF-41 (CSS-X-10)". Missilethreat.csis.org. 12 February 2014. Retrieved 8 March 2014.
- ^ "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 2014-08-08. Retrieved 2013-03-20.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link) - ^ https://missilethreat.csis.org/missile/df-41/
- ^ "DF-41 (CSS-X-10) (China) - Jane's Strategic Weapon Systems". Janes.com. June 1, 2010. Archived from the original on 2011-03-26.
- "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 2018-01-29. Retrieved 2014-10-06.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link) - "Minuteman III". CSIS Missile Defense Project. Retrieved 2019-10-02.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link) - Arjun Subramanian P (12 November 2012). "DF-41: China's answer to the US BMD efforts". Institute for Defence Studies and Analyses. Retrieved 8 March 2014.
- "Chinese Government Website Confirms New Multi-Warhead ICBM". Washington Free Beacon. 2014-08-01. Retrieved 2019-10-02.
- Sean O'Connor (April 2012). "PLA Ballistic Missiles". Air Power Australia. APA-TR-2010-0802. Retrieved 18 January 2014.
- John Pike. "DF-41 - China Nuclear Forces". Globalsecurity.org. Retrieved 2010-03-21.
- "Five types of missiles to debut on National Day_English_Xinhua". News.xinhuanet.com. 2009-09-02. Archived from the original on 2015-01-10. Retrieved 2010-03-21.
- Gertz, Bill (2012-08-15). "China test fires new long-range missile". Washington Free Beacon. Retrieved 2019-10-02.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link) - Rogge Chen and Sofia Wu (15 April 2013). "China yet to deploy 094 sub, JL-2 & DF-41 missiles: security head". Focus Taiwan. Central News Agency. Retrieved 19 April 2013.
- Military and Security Developments Involving the People's Republic of China 2013 (PDF). Office of the Secretary of Defense (Report). U.S. Department of Defense. 2013. p. 6. Retrieved 18 January 2014.
- http://freebeacon.com/china-conducts-second-flight-test-of-new-long-range-missile/
- Gertz, Bill (2014-06-06). "Pentagon Confirms New Chinese Long-Range ICBM Development". Washington Free Beacon. Retrieved 2019-10-02.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link) - "China 'confirms new generation long range missiles'". Daily Telegraph. AFP. 1 August 2014. Retrieved 2 August 2014.
- Gertz, Bill (18 December 2014). "China Tests ICBM With Multiple Warheads] - Freebeacon.com". Washington Free Beacon.
- Chinese Military Confirms DF-41 Flight Test - Freebeacon.com, 26 December 2014
- http://missilethreat.csis.org/missile/dong-feng-41/
- http://freebeacon.com/national-security/china-flight-tests-multi-warhead-missile/
- China Confirms Multiple-Warhead Missile Test in South China Sea
- Say Hello to China's ICBMs, SpaceDaily.com, 2017-01-30
- "Did China test a missile that could strike US ahead of Trump's visit?". South China Morning Post. 2017-11-09. Retrieved 2019-06-08.
- http://www.ibtimes.co.in/ahead-trump-visit-china-likely-tested-12000-km-range-missile-that-could-strike-anywhere-us-748942
- http://www.janes.com/article/56860/china-developing-new-rail-mobile-icbm-say-us-officials
- http://freebeacon.com/national-security/chinese-defense-ministry-confirms-rail-mobile-icbm-test/