JL-2
Chinese submarine-launched ballistic missile
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
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]