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.
| 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 or 3-8 MIRV nuclear warhead |
| Blast yield | 1 megaton of TNT (4.2 PJ) single, 20/90/150kt |
| Propellant | Solid-fuel rocket |
Operational range | 3,900 nmi (7,200 km) |
Guidance system | Astro-inertial[3] with satellite-based updates[2] |
Launch platform | Type 094 submarine |
The JL-2 provides China with its first viable sea-based nuclear deterrent.[4]
Development
The JL-2 was developed as part of a larger program to replace the liquid-fuelled ballistic missiles developed from 1965 with solid-fuelled missiles.[5] The JL-2 was the SLBM variant of the land-based DF-31. Development of both missiles began in the mid-1980s,[6] with the SLBM having less priority.[7] The first JL-2 at-sea launch occurred in 2001 from a Type 031 submarine.[8][7] The missile suffered a series of testing failures. A successful test cycle was achieved in 2012.[6]
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.[9]
Type 094 deterrence patrols with JL-2 missiles began in December 2015.[1] Each submarine may carry 12 missiles.[4]