DF-4
Chinese ICBM
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
The Dongfeng 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 liquid-fuelled Chinese intercontinental ballistic missile.[7] It was estimated to be deployed in limited numbers in underground silos beginning in the late 1970s and retired around 2023,[8] deploying around 10 to 15 launchers in the late 2010s.[9] The yield of its nuclear warhead was estimated at 3.5 megatons.[10]: 106
| DF-4/CSS-3 | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Type | ICBM |
| Place of origin | People's Republic of China |
| Service history | |
| In service | 1975/1976[1][2]–2023 |
| 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 |
The DF-4's rocket propellant is the hypergolic mixture of nitric acid and unsymmetrical dimethylhydrazine. The DF-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 DF-4, equipped with a 2,190 kg nuclear warhead with a 3.5 megaton yield, was nominally 5,500 km. This gives it sufficient range to strike targets as far away as Russia, India, and American bases in the Pacific.[11] It was the first Chinese missile capable of striking the Soviet capital city of Moscow and US assets on Guam.[10]: 210 The missile uses an inertial guidance system, resulting in a large CEP of 1,500 meters.
The nuclear warhead for the DF-4, named "512, was tested in China's tenth, eleventh, and twelfth nuclear tests.[10]: 106
History
The decision to develop the DF-4 was made in 1965[12] 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.[13]
There were two versions of the missile developed,[14] 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.[15] 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.[16]
Operators
China: The People's Liberation Army Rocket Force was the only operator of the Dong-Feng 4.
