DF-41
| DF-41 | |
|---|---|
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)
Solid-fuel rocket |
Operational range | ~12,000–15,000 kilometres (7,500–9,300 mi)[1] |
| Maximum speed | Mach 25 (31,425 km/h; 19,625 mph; 8,660 m/s)[2] |
Guidance system | Inertial, likely with stellar updates and BeiDou[3] |
| Accuracy | ~100 m CEP[3] |
Launch platform | Silo, road-mobile Transporter erector launcher, rail-mobile |
The Dongfeng-41 or DF-41 (
Design
The missile reportedly has an operational range between 12,000 to 13,000 kilometres (7,500 to 8,100 mi). program.
Though there have been reports that the DF-41 can carry 3 to 8 warheads, analysts think it most likely carries only three warheads, with the additional payload used for many penetration aids.[9]
Development
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.[10]
The
In August 2014, China's Shaanxi Provincial Environmental Monitoring Center website accidentally published a news report about an environmental monitoring site for a DF-41 ICBM; the news report (and entire website) was taken down shortly after getting public attention.[12]
In August 2015, the missile was flight-tested for the fourth time.[3] In December 2015, the missile was flight-tested for the fifth time.[citation needed] In April 2016, China successfully conducted the 7th test of DF-41.[citation needed]
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.[13]
In November 2017, just two days before U.S. President Trump's visit to China, the DF-41 was tested in the
On October 1, 2019, China publicly displayed the missiles for the first time on its 70th Anniversary National Day military parade. [16]
Rail-mobile versions
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.[17]
Silo-based versions
In 2021, the Federation of American Scientists (FAS) said China was building 120 missile silos for DF-41 near Yumen in Gansu and another 110 missile silos near Hami in Xinjiang.[18]
A third site was discovered to be under construction near Ordos in Inner Mongolia in August, 2021. The new site will hold more than 100 ICBM.[19]
Together, the three new missile bases will house 350 to 400 new long-range nuclear missiles, U.S. officials said.[20][21]
References
- ^ a b c d e "DF-41 (Dong Feng-41 / CSS-X-20)". Center for Strategic and International Studies. October 8, 2019. Archived from the original on 2017-02-02. Retrieved 2021-07-28.
- ^ https://fairbd.net/fastest-missiles-in-the-world/
- ^ a b c "DF-41 (Dong Feng-41 / CSS-X-20)". Missile Threat.
- S2CID 256916955.
- ^ "China's strategic deterrents on display". China Daily. 2 October 2019. Retrieved 19 October 2019.
- ^ "China Reports DF-41 ICBM Test-Launch: Armed Forces International News". Archived from the original on 2014-08-08. Retrieved 2013-03-20.
- ^ a b "DF-41 (CSS-X-10) (China) - Jane's Strategic Weapon Systems". Janes.com. June 1, 2010. Archived from the original on 2011-03-26.
- Institute for Defence Studies and Analyses. Retrieved 8 March 2014.
- .
- 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. Archived from the original (PDF) on 13 January 2015. Retrieved 18 January 2014.
- ^ "China 'confirms new generation long range missiles'". Daily Telegraph. AFP. 1 August 2014. Retrieved 2 August 2014.
- ^ 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.
- ^ Bora, Kukil (November 10, 2017). "Ahead of Trump visit, China likely tested 12,000-km-range missile that could strike anywhere in US". International Business Times, India Edition.
- ^ "China displays new hypersonic nuclear missile on 70th anniversary". www.aljazeera.com.
- ^ Fisher Jr, Richard (23 December 2015). "China developing new rail-mobile ICBM, say US officials". Jane's 360. Archived from the original on 24 December 2015. Retrieved 25 October 2019.
- ^ "China Is Building A Second Nuclear Missile Silo Field". Federation Of American Scientists. Retrieved 2021-08-01.
- ^ "EXCLUSIVE: China building third missile field for hundreds of new ICBMs". The Washington Times.
- ^ "The Chinese Nuclear Breakout and the Biden Administration's Nuclear Posture Review | RealClearDefense". 28 August 2021.
- ^ "China's nuclear missile silo expansion: From minimum deterrence to medium deterrence". Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists. 2021-09-01. Retrieved 2021-10-02.