JL-2

The JL-2 (Chinese: 巨浪-2; pinyin: Jù Làng Èr; lit. 'Giant Wave 2', NATO reporting name CSS-N-14) is a Chinese second-generation intercontinental-range submarine-launched ballistic missile (SLBM) deployed on the People's Liberation Army Navy's (PLAN) Type 094 submarines. It succeeds the JL-1 SLBM deployed on the Type 092 submarine.^[7]

Julang-2 (JL-2)
Type	SLBM
Place of origin	People's Republic of China
Service history
In service	Active as of 2015[1]
Used by	People's Liberation Army Navy
Specifications
Mass	42,000 kilograms (93,000 lb)[2]
Length	13 metres (43 ft)[2]
Warhead	single[3] or 1-3 MIRV[4] or 3-8 MIRV nuclear warhead[2]
Blast yield	1 megaton of TNT (4.2 PJ) single,[5] or 1-3 MIRV [4] 20/90/150kt [2]
Propellant	Solid-fuel rocket[3]
Operational range	7,200 km (4,500 mi)[6]
Guidance system	Astro-inertial[5] with Beidou[2]
Launch platform	Type 094 submarine[7]

The JL-2 provides China with its first viable sea-based nuclear deterrent.^[7]

Development

The JL-2 is a naval variant of the land-based DF-31.^[8][9] Their common 2-metre diameter solid fuel rocket motor was successfully tested in late 1983,^[8] and research and development efforts were reorganized starting in 1985 to produce both missiles.^[9]

The first JL-2 at-sea launch occurred in 2001 from a Type 031 submarine.^[8][9] The program was delayed after a failed test in 2004.^[8] Successful launches occurred in 2005 and 2008. The missile was successfully fired from a Type 094 submarine, the intended operational platform, for the first time in 2009.^[8] A series of test launches occurred in 2012.^[10]

During the development of the missile, it was reported that China was considering modifying the missile to accommodate an anti-satellite warhead to give it a sea-based anti-satellite capability.^[11]

Type 094 deterrence patrols with JL-2 missiles began in December 2015.^[1]

As of 2017^[update], 48 JL-2 launchers are deployed on submarines.^[3]

Description

The JL-2 is a three-stage, solid-fueled missile,^[3] with a maximum range of 7,200 km (4,500 mi).^[6] Its payload is a single^[3] 1 Megaton warhead^[5] or 3-8 MIRVs with yields of 20, 90, or 150kt.^[2]