Top Qs
Timeline
Chat
Perspective
DF-41
ICBM From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Remove ads
The Dongfeng-41 or DF-41 (simplified Chinese: 东风-41; traditional Chinese: 東風-41; lit. 'East Wind-41'; NATO reporting name: CH-SS-20;[4] previously reported as CSS-10[5]) is a fourth-generation Chinese solid-fuelled road-mobile intercontinental ballistic missile operated by the People's Liberation Army Rocket Force (formerly the Second Artillery Corps). DF-41 is the fourth and the latest generation of the Dongfeng series strategic missiles developed by China.[6] The missile was officially unveiled at the China National Day military parade on 1 October 2019.
Remove ads
Remove ads
Design
The missile reportedly has an operational range between 12,000 to 15,000 kilometres (7,500 to 9,300 mi).[1] It is believed to have a top speed of Mach 25,[7] and to be capable of MIRV delivery (up to 10).[8] 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.[9] The project started in 1986,[8] and may now be coupled with the JL-3 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.[10]
Remove ads
Development
Summarize
Perspective
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.[11]
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.[12]
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.[13]
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.[14]
In November 2017, just two days before U.S. President Trump's visit to China, the DF-41 was tested in the Gobi Desert.[15][16]
On October 1, 2019, China publicly displayed the missiles for the first time on its 70th Anniversary National Day military parade. [17]
Remove ads
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.[18]
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.[19]
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.[20]
Together, the three new missile bases will house 350 to 400 new long-range nuclear missiles, U.S. officials said.[21][22]
Remove ads
References
External links
Wikiwand - on
Seamless Wikipedia browsing. On steroids.
Remove ads