DF-31

DF-31 (CSS-09)
DF-31 in Military Museum of the Chinese People's Revolution
Type Intercontinental ballistic missile
Place of origin People's Republic of China
Service history
In service 2006 (DF-31), 2007 (DF-31A), 2017 (DF-31B)
Used by People's Liberation Army Rocket Force
Production history
Manufacturer Academy of Rocket Motors Technology (ARMT)
Specifications
Weight 42 t (41 long tons; 46 short tons)
Length 13 m (42 ft 8 in)
Diameter 2.25 m (7 ft 5 in)
Warhead 1 Thermonuclear weapon@ 1 Mt with decoys (DF-31 & DF-31A)
3-5 Nuclear @ 20, 90, or 150 kt each with MIRV (DF-31B) [1]
Engine Solid-fuel rocket
Operational
range
 7,200–8,000 km (4,500–5,000 mi) (DF-31)[2][3]
11,200 km (7,000 mi) (DF-31A)[3]
Guidance
system
 Astro-inertial guidance with BeiDou Navigation Satellite System
Accuracy 100 m CEP for silo launched and 150 m for TEL-launched.[4]
Launch
platform
 Silo, 8 axle TEL
Dongfeng-31A after a military parade in 2015.
Range of various Chinese missiles (2007); DF-31 range in green.

The Dong Feng 31 (simplified Chinese: 东风-31; traditional Chinese: 東風-31; literally: "East Wind-31"; NATO reporting name CSS-09) is a long-range, road-mobile, three stage, solid-fuel rocket intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) in the Dongfeng missile series developed by the People's Republic of China. It is designed to carry a single 1-megaton thermonuclear weapon. It is a land-based variant of the submarine-launched JL-2. It is operated by the Second Artillery Corps (SAC) which, in 2009, was estimated to have under 15 DF-31 missiles and under 15 DF-31A missiles in inventory.[5] US Air Force National Air and Space Intelligence Center estimates that as of June 2017, five to ten Mod 1 and over fifteen Mod 2 launchers were operationally deployed.[6]

The DF-31A is believed to have incorporated many advanced technologies similar to current generation Russian ICBMs, including the use of penetration aids such as decoys or chaff and maneuverable reentry vehicles to complicate its enemy's missile warning and defense system.

History

The PRC began developing the DF-31 as a second-generation ICBM successor of the DF-4 in January 1985.[7] ARMT (then called the 4th Aerospace Academy) was appointed as the main contractor while the research arm of the Second Artillery Corps provided contributing support. The land-based variant of the JL-2 was originally called the DF-23 but was changed later on to the DF-31 because of a change in operational requirements. In 1999, the missile was first displayed publicly at the National Day Parade.[8] On August 2, 1999, the Chinese state news media reported the successful test of the DF-31.[7] The third test flight of the missile occurred on November 4, 2000; the second test flight had taken place earlier that year.[9] Operational deployment of the missiles reportedly began in 2006.[10] In 2009, US Air Force Intelligence reported that under 15 DF-31 missiles had been deployed.[5]

Description

The DF-31 is a three stage solid-fuel rocket equipped with an inertial navigation system. The missile is mounted on a transporter erector launcher. It is capable of reaching targets throughout Europe, Asia, and parts of Canada and the northwestern United States.[11]

DF-31A

The PRC has developed an improved variant of the DF-31 called the DF-31A. This upgraded missile has a reported range of 11,200 km,[3] will allow targeting of most of the continental United States[12] and was designed with MIRV capability to hold 3 to 5 warheads, each capable of a 20–150 kt yield, but is thought to be armed with only one warhead with penetration and decoy aids to complicate missile defense efforts.[1][1][5] The missile was shown to the public during the parade in Beijing celebrating 70 years since the end of World War II on September 3, 2015.[13] It can carry maneuverable reentry vehicles.[14]

DF-31AG/DF-31B

The PRC has developed another improved variant of the DF-31 called the DF-31AG or DF-31B with an off-road TEL and MIRVs.[15][16] China has successfully tested it from a mobile launcher.[17] The missile's TEL features an extra pair of elevators near the aft of the missile unlike the TELs of the DF-31 or DF-31A, suggesting a heavier missile second and third stage than earlier variants.[18] On the military parade marking the 90th Anniversary of the founding of the PLA, DF-31AG ICBM was officially demonstrated for the first time.

References

  1. 1 2 3 http://www.nti.org/media/pdfs/design_characteristics_of_chinas_ballistic_cruise_missile_inventory.pdf?_=1339613656
  2. ↑ CSS-10 (DF-31), missilethreat.csis.org
  3. 1 2 3 Annual Report to Congress: Military Power of the People's Republic of China 2008, Office of the Secretary of Defense
  4. ↑ https://missilethreat.csis.org/missile/df-31
  5. 1 2 3 US Air Force Air and Space Intelligence Center, Ballistic and Cruise Missile Threats 2009
  6. ↑ http://www.nasic.af.mil/LinkClick.aspx?fileticket=F2VLcKSmCTE%3d&portalid=19
  7. 1 2 Diamond, Howard (July 1, 1999). "Chinese Strategic Plans Move Forward with Missile Test". Arms Control Today. Arms Control Association. ISSN 0196-125X. Retrieved August 22, 2015 – via HighBeam Research. (Subscription required (help)).
  8. ↑ The Federation of American Scientists & The Natural Resources Defense Council (DF-31A) Nov, 2006. 73 (PDF)
  9. ↑ Gertz, Bill (December 13, 2000). "Pentagon Confirms China's Missile Test". The Washington Times. Retrieved August 22, 2015 – via HighBeam Research. (Subscription required (help)).
  10. ↑ Minnie Chan (23 January 2014). "China's nuclear missile drill seen as warning to US not to meddle in region". South China Morning Post. Retrieved 24 January 2014.
  11. ↑ http://www.nasic.af.mil/LinkClick.aspx?fileticket=F2VLcKSmCTE%3d&portalid=19
  12. ↑ http://www.nasic.af.mil/LinkClick.aspx?fileticket=F2VLcKSmCTE%3d&portalid=19
  13. ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wC8jyxbBfRM
  14. ↑ http://thediplomat.com/2015/09/heres-what-you-need-to-know-about-chinas-grand-military-parade/
  15. ↑ Minnie Chan (4 October 2014). "China puts on show of force with DF-31B mobile ICBM missile test". South China Morning Post. Retrieved 10 October 2014.
  16. ↑ China tests 10000 km nuclear missile 4. October 2014
  17. ↑ "China has successfully test-launch of DF-31B intercontinental ballistic missile from mobile launcher Archived 2015-04-02 at the Wayback Machine. 19. March 2015
  18. ↑ http://www.janes.com/article/49693/evidence-emerges-of-possible-df-31-icbm-variant

Further reading

  • Giacometti, Nicolas (10 April 2014). "China's Nuclear Modernization and the End of Nuclear Opacity". thediplomat.com. Retrieved 12 April 2014.
Preceded by
DF-21		 DF-31 Succeeded by
DF-41
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