DF-4

For the locomotive, see China Railways DF4.

The Dong Feng 4 (Chinese: 东风-4; pinyin: Dōng Fēng Sì; lit. 'East Wind 4') or DF-4 (also known as the CSS-3) is a first-generation two-stage Chinese intercontinental ballistic missile^[7] with liquid fuel (Nitric acid/Unsymmetrical dimethylhydrazine). It was thought to be deployed in limited numbers in underground silos beginning in the late 1970s and early 1980s. The Dong Feng 4 has a takeoff thrust of 1,224.00 kN, a takeoff weight of 82000 kg, a diameter of 2.25 m, a length of 28.05 m and a fin span of 2.74 m. The range of the Dong Feng 4, which is equipped with a 2,190 kg nuclear warhead with 3.3 Megaton yield, with a nominal range of 5,500 km. This gives it sufficient range to strike targets as far away as Russia, India, and American bases in the Pacific.^[8] The missile uses an inertial guidance system, resulting in a large CEP of 1,500 meters. As of 2017, 10–15 launchers are deployed.^[9]

DF-4/CSS-3
Type	ICBM
Place of origin	People's Republic of China
Service history
In service	1975/1976[1][2]–present
Used by	PLA Rocket Force
Production history
Manufacturer	Factory 211 (Capital Astronautics Co.)
Unit cost	?
Specifications
Mass	82,000 kg
Length	28.05 m
Diameter	2.25 m
Warhead	One,[1] or three (DF-4A)[3][4]
Blast yield	3.3 Mt[1]
Engine	Liquid fueled
Operational range	5,500 km[5][6]
Maximum speed	?
Guidance system	Astro-inertial guidance
Accuracy	1.5 km

History

Range of various Chinese missiles (2007); DF-4 range in light blue.

The decision to develop the DF-4 was made in 1965^[10] in response to the U.S. ballistic missile submarine patrols that began operating out of Guam. The missile's designer has been variously identified as Ren Xinmin or Tu Shou'e [屠守锷], and it was produced at Factory 211 (Capital Astronautics Co. [首都航天机械公司], also known as Capital Machine Shop [首都机械厂]).

In 1972 US intelligence estimated an IOC for this system as being expected in 1974 or 1975. Deployment actually began in 1975–76, but only four DF-4s were believed to be in place by 1984.^[11]

There were two versions of the missile developed,^[12] one version housed in caves or garages to be rolled out on launch and another silo based version.

The US DoD estimates that the missile will continue to serve as a regional deterrence instrument until they can be replaced by the DF-31.^[13] This will be a significant capability gain for the Second Artillery Corps. The DF-31A has a range of 11,700 kilometers (as opposed to just 7,000 for the DF-4) and is road- and rail-mobile, and thus more survivable than the silo-based DF-4.^[14]

Operators

•  China: The People's Liberation Army Rocket Force is the only operator of the Dong-Feng 4.