DF-41
Chinese intercontinental ballistic missile
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
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;[3] previously reported as CSS-10[4]) 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.[5] The missile was officially unveiled at the China National Day military parade on 1 October 2019.
| DF-41 | |
|---|---|
DF-41 missile on a HTF5980. | |
| Type | ICBM |
| Place of origin | China |
| Service history | |
| In service | 2017 |
| Used by | People's Liberation Army Rocket Force |
| Production history | |
| Manufacturer | China Academy of Launch Vehicle Technology (CALT) |
| Specifications | |
| Mass | ~80,000 kilograms (180,000 lb)[1] |
| Length | 20–22 metres (66–72 ft)[1] |
| Diameter | 2.25 m (7 ft 5 in)[1] |
| Warhead |
|
| Engine | Three-stage Solid-fuel rocket[1] |
Operational range | 12,000–15,000 kilometres (7,500–9,300 mi) |
| Maximum speed | Mach 25 (31,425 km/h; 19,625 mph; 8,660 m/s)[2] |
Guidance system | Inertial, likely with stellar and satellite updates[1] |
| Accuracy | ~100 m CEP[1] |
Launch platform | Silo, road-mobile Transporter erector launcher, rail-mobile |
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,[6] and to be capable of MIRV delivery (up to 10).[7] 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.[8] The project started in 1986,[7] and may now be coupled with the JL-3 program.
In 2018, Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists reported that the DF-41 could carry 3 to 8 warheads, but likely only three warheads with penetration aids.[9] The Center for Strategic and International Studies reported a payload of ten warheads in 2024.[1]
Development
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.[10]
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.[11]
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.[12]
In August 2015, the missile was flight-tested for the fourth time.[1] 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.[13]
In November 2017, just two days before U.S. President Trump's visit to China, the DF-41 was tested in the Gobi Desert.[14][15]
On October 1, 2019, China publicly displayed the missiles for the first time on its 70th Anniversary National Day military parade. [16]
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.[17]
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.[18]
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.[19]
Together, the three new missile bases will house 350 to 400 new long-range nuclear missiles, U.S. officials said.[20][21]