DF-41

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DF-41
File:Dongfeng-41 CSS-20 sketch.svg
DF-41 missile on a HTF5980.
TypeICBM
Place of originChina
Service history
In service2017
Used byPeople's Liberation Army Rocket Force
Production history
ManufacturerChina Academy of Launch Vehicle Technology (CALT)
Specifications
Mass~80,000 kilograms (180,000 lb) [1]
Length~22 metres (72 ft)[1]
Diameter~2.25 m (7 ft 5 in)[1]
Warhead8 x 250 kt or 10 x 150 kt MIRVs
EngineThree-stage Solid-fuel rocket
Operational
range
~12,000–15,000 kilometres (7,500–9,300 mi)[1]
Maximum speedMach 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
File:120秒看大阅兵震撼瞬间！1.png
DF-41 at 70th anniversary of the People's Republic of China

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 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.

Design

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File:PLA ballistic missiles range.jpg
Range of various Chinese missiles (2007). The DF-41 has a similar range to the DF-5A (purple).

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]

Development

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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]

Rail-mobile versions

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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

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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]

References

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  1. ^ a b c d e Lua error in Module:Citation/CS1/Configuration at line 2172: attempt to index field '?' (a nil value).
  2. ^ Lua error in Module:Citation/CS1/Configuration at line 2172: attempt to index field '?' (a nil value).
  3. ^ a b c Lua error in Module:Citation/CS1/Configuration at line 2172: attempt to index field '?' (a nil value).
  4. ^ Lua error in Module:Citation/CS1/Configuration at line 2172: attempt to index field '?' (a nil value).
  5. ^ Lennox 2003, p. 52.
  6. ^ Lua error in Module:Citation/CS1/Configuration at line 2172: attempt to index field '?' (a nil value).
  7. ^ Lua error in Module:Citation/CS1/Configuration at line 2172: attempt to index field '?' (a nil value).
  8. ^ a b Lua error in Module:Citation/CS1/Configuration at line 2172: attempt to index field '?' (a nil value).
  9. ^ Lua error in Module:Citation/CS1/Configuration at line 2172: attempt to index field '?' (a nil value).
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  13. ^ Lua error in Module:Citation/CS1/Configuration at line 2172: attempt to index field '?' (a nil value).
  14. ^ Say Hello to China's ICBMs, SpaceDaily.com, 2017-01-30
  15. ^ Lua error in Module:Citation/CS1/Configuration at line 2172: attempt to index field '?' (a nil value).
  16. ^ Lua error in Module:Citation/CS1/Configuration at line 2172: attempt to index field '?' (a nil value).
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  19. ^ Lua error in Module:Citation/CS1/Configuration at line 2172: attempt to index field '?' (a nil value).
  20. ^ Lua error in Module:Citation/CS1/Configuration at line 2172: attempt to index field '?' (a nil value).
  21. ^ Lua error in Module:Citation/CS1/Configuration at line 2172: attempt to index field '?' (a nil value).
  22. ^ Lua error in Module:Citation/CS1/Configuration at line 2172: attempt to index field '?' (a nil value).
  • Lua error in Module:Citation/CS1/Configuration at line 2172: attempt to index field '?' (a nil value).
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