DF-31

The Dong Feng 31 (simplified Chinese: 东风-31; traditional Chinese: 東風-31; lit.: 'East Wind-31'; NATO reporting name CSS-10)[5] is a third-generation 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.[6] 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.[7]

DF-31 (CSS-10)
DF-31 in Military Museum of the Chinese People's Revolution
TypeIntercontinental ballistic missile
Place of originPeople's Republic of China
Service history
In service2006 (DF-31), 2007 (DF-31A), 2017 (DF-31B)
Used byPeople's Liberation Army Rocket Force
Production history
ManufacturerAcademy of Rocket Motors Technology (ARMT)
Specifications
Mass42 t (41 long tons; 46 short tons)
Length13 m (42 ft 8 in)
Diameter2.25 m (7 ft 5 in)
Warhead1 Thermonuclear weapon@ 1 Mt with decoys (DF-31 & DF-31A)
3-5 Nuclear @ 20, 90, or 150 kt each with MIRV (DF-31B) [1]
EngineSolid-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]
Flight altitudeup to 1200 km
Maximum speed Up to 8 km/s
Guidance
system
Astro-inertial guidance with BeiDou Navigation Satellite System
Accuracy100 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.

History

The PRC began developing the DF-31 ICBM in January 1985.[8] 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.[9] On August 2, 1999, the Chinese state news media reported the successful test of the DF-31.[8] The third test flight of the missile occurred on November 4, 2000; the second test flight had taken place earlier that year.[10] Operational deployment of the missiles reportedly began in 2006.[11] In 2009, US Air Force Intelligence reported that under 15 DF-31 missiles had been deployed.[6]

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.[7]

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[7] 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][6] 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.[12] It can carry maneuverable reentry vehicles.[13]

DF-31AG/DF-31B

The PRC has developed an improved variant of the DF-31A called the DF-31AG (G stands for 改 (Gaï), "modified)[14] or DF-31B with an off-road 8 axle 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 People’s Liberation Army in 2017, DF-31AG ICBM was officially demonstrated.[19]

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References
  1. 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. Annual Report to Congress: Military Power of the People's Republic of China 2008, Office of the Secretary of Defense
  4. "Dong Feng 31 (DF-31/DF-31A/CSS-10)". Missile Threat.
  5. https://www.nasic.af.mil/LinkClick.aspx?fileticket=F2VLcKSmCTE%3D&portalid=19
  6. US Air Force Air and Space Intelligence Center, Ballistic and Cruise Missile Threats 2009
  7. http://www.nasic.af.mil/LinkClick.aspx?fileticket=F2VLcKSmCTE%3d&portalid=19
  8. 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 Questia Online Library.
  9. The Federation of American Scientists & The Natural Resources Defense Council (DF-31A) Nov, 2006. 73 (PDF)
  10. Gertz, Bill (December 13, 2000). "Pentagon Confirms China's Missile Test". The Washington Times. Retrieved August 22, 2015 – via Questia Online Library.
  11. 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.
  12. WORLD TV (3 September 2015). "CHINA SHOWS OFF ITS MILITARY POWER ON V-DAY 70TH PARADE; Strategic Strikes Module Displays MISSILES" – via YouTube.
  13. Diplomat, Franz-Stefan Gady, The. "Here's What You Need to Know About China's Grand Military Parade". The Diplomat.
  14. KENHMANN, Henri (24 July 2017). "Qui est ce nouvel ICBM mobile DF-31AG ?".
  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
  19. http://www.military-today.com/missiles/df_31ag.htm

Further reading
Preceded by
DF-21		 DF-31 Succeeded by
DF-41
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