DF-41
{{Infobox weapon
|is_missile=yes
|name = DF-41
|image =300px
|caption=DF-41 missile on a HTF5980.
|type = ICBM
|origin = China
|engine=Three-stage Solid-fuel rocket
|weight= ~{{convert|80000|kg|lb}}
|diameter=~{{convert|2.25|m|abbr=on}}
|vehicle_range = ~{{convert|12000|-|15000|km|mi}}
|filling = 8 x 250 kt or 10 x 150 kt MIRVs
|speed =Mach 25 (31,425 km/h; 19,625 mph; 8,660 m/s){{cite web | url=https://fairbd.net/fastest-missiles-in-the-world/ | title=5 fastest missiles in the world [2024] | date=25 April 2024 }}
|manufacturer = China Academy of Launch Vehicle Technology (CALT)
|unit_cost =
|service = 2017
|used_by = People's Liberation Army Rocket Force
|guidance=Inertial, likely with stellar updates and BeiDou{{Cite web|url=https://missilethreat.csis.org/missile/df-41/|title=DF-41 (Dong Feng-41 / CSS-X-20)|website=Missile Threat}}
|launch_platform=Silo, road-mobile Transporter erector launcher, rail-mobile
}}
The Dongfeng-41 or DF-41 ({{lang-zh|t=東風-41|s=东风-41|l=East Wind-41}}; NATO reporting name: CH-SS-20;{{Cite book|author=The International Institute for Strategic Studies|title=The Military Balance 2023|date=15 February 2023 |publisher=Routledge |location=London |chapter=6 Asia |isbn=9781003400226 |doi=10.4324/9781003400226|s2cid=256916955 }} previously reported as CSS-10{{sfn|Lennox|2003|p=52}}) 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 and the latest generation of the Dongfeng series strategic missiles developed by China.{{Cite web|url=https://www.chinadaily.com.cn/a/201910/02/WS5d93e15aa310cf3e3556e8f6_2.html|title=China's strategic deterrents on display|date=2 October 2019|website=China Daily|language=en-US|access-date=19 October 2019}} The missile was officially unveiled at the China National Day military parade on 1 October 2019.
Design
File:PLA ballistic missiles range.jpgA (purple).]]
The missile reportedly has an operational range between {{convert|12000|to|15000|km|mi|abbr=}}. It is believed to have a top speed of Mach 25,{{Cite web |url=http://www.armedforces-int.com/news/china-reports-df-41-icbm-test-launch.html |title=China Reports DF-41 ICBM Test-Launch: Armed Forces International News |access-date=2013-03-20 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140808060732/http://www.armedforces-int.com/news/china-reports-df-41-icbm-test-launch.html |archive-date=2014-08-08 |url-status=dead }} and to be capable of MIRV delivery (up to 10).{{cite web|url=http://www.janes.com/articles/Janes-Strategic-Weapon-Systems/DF-41-CSS-X10-China.html|title=DF-41 (CSS-X-10) (China) - Jane's Strategic Weapon Systems|date=June 1, 2010|website=Janes.com|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110326182303/http://articles.janes.com/articles/Janes-Strategic-Weapon-Systems/DF-41-CSS-X10-China.html|archive-date=2011-03-26}} 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.{{cite web |url=http://www.idsa.in/idsacomments/DF-41ChinasanswertotheUSBMDefforts_ArjunSubramaniam_121112 |title=DF-41: China's answer to the US BMD efforts |author=Arjun Subramanian P |publisher=Institute for Defence Studies and Analyses |date=12 November 2012 |access-date=8 March 2014}} The project started in 1986, and may now be coupled with the JL-3 program.
Though there have been reports that the DF-41 can carry 3 to 8 warheads, analysts think it most likely carries only three warheads, with the additional payload used for many penetration aids.{{Cite journal|first1=Hans M.|last1=Kristensen|first2= Robert S.|last2=Norris|doi=10.1080/00963402.2018.1486620|title=Chinese nuclear forces, 2018|journal=Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists|volume=74|issue=4|date=2018|pages=289–295|bibcode=2018BuAtS..74d.289K|doi-access=free}}
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.{{cite news |url=http://focustaiwan.tw/news/aipl/201304150027.aspx |title=China yet to deploy 094 sub, JL-2 & DF-41 missiles: security head |author=Rogge Chen and Sofia Wu |newspaper=Focus Taiwan |publisher=Central News Agency |date=15 April 2013 |access-date=19 April 2013}}
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.{{cite report |page=6 |url=http://www.defense.gov/pubs/2013_china_report_final.pdf |title=Military and Security Developments Involving the People's Republic of China 2013 |publisher=U.S. Department of Defense |work=Office of the Secretary of Defense |year=2013 |access-date=18 January 2014 |archive-date=13 January 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150113120816/http://www.defense.gov/pubs/2013_china_report_final.pdf |url-status=dead }}
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.{{cite news |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/asia/china/11005061/China-confirms-new-generation-long-range-missiles.html |title=China 'confirms new generation long range missiles' |agency=AFP |publisher=Daily Telegraph |date=1 August 2014 |access-date=2 August 2014}}
In August 2015, the missile was flight-tested for the fourth time. In December 2015, the missile was flight-tested for the fifth time.{{citation needed|date=March 2024}} In April 2016, China successfully conducted the 7th test of DF-41.{{citation needed|date=March 2024}}
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.[http://www.spacedaily.com/reports/Say_Hello_to_Chinas_ICBMs_999.html Say Hello to China's ICBMs], SpaceDaily.com, 2017-01-30
In November 2017, just two days before U.S. President Trump's visit to China, the DF-41 was tested in the Gobi Desert.{{Cite web|url=https://www.scmp.com/news/china/diplomacy-defence/article/2119201/did-china-test-missile-could-hit-any-target-us-two-days|title=Did China test a missile that could strike US ahead of Trump's visit?|date=2017-11-09|website=South China Morning Post|language=en|access-date=2019-06-08}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.ibtimes.co.in/ahead-trump-visit-china-likely-tested-12000-km-range-missile-that-could-strike-anywhere-us-748942|title=Ahead of Trump visit, China likely tested 12,000-km-range missile that could strike anywhere in US|first=Kukil|last=Bora|date=November 10, 2017|website=International Business Times, India Edition}}
On October 1, 2019, China publicly displayed the missiles for the first time on its 70th Anniversary National Day military parade.
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.{{Cite web|url=http://www.janes.com/article/56860/china-developing-new-rail-mobile-icbm-say-us-officials|title=China developing new rail-mobile ICBM, say US officials|last=Fisher Jr|first=Richard|date=23 December 2015|website=Jane's 360|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151224140236/http://www.janes.com/article/56860/china-developing-new-rail-mobile-icbm-say-us-officials|archive-date=24 December 2015|access-date=25 October 2019}}
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.{{Cite web|title=China Is Building A Second Nuclear Missile Silo Field|url=https://fas.org/blogs/security/2021/07/china-is-building-a-second-nuclear-missile-silo-field/|access-date=2021-08-01|website=Federation Of American Scientists|language=en-US}}
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.{{Cite web|url=https://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2021/aug/12/china-engaged-breathtaking-nuclear-breakout-us-str/|title = EXCLUSIVE: China building third missile field for hundreds of new ICBMs|website = The Washington Times}}
Together, the three new missile bases will house 350 to 400 new long-range nuclear missiles, U.S. officials said.{{Cite web|url=https://www.realcleardefense.com/articles/2021/08/28/the_chinese_nuclear_breakout_and_the_biden_administrations_nuclear_posture_review_792021.html|title = The Chinese Nuclear Breakout and the Biden Administration's Nuclear Posture Review | RealClearDefense|date = 28 August 2021}}{{Cite web|date=2021-09-01|title=China's nuclear missile silo expansion: From minimum deterrence to medium deterrence|url=https://thebulletin.org/2021/09/chinas-nuclear-missile-silo-expansion-from-minimum-deterrence-to-medium-deterrence/|access-date=2021-10-02|website=Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists|language=en-US}}
References
{{Reflist|30em}}
- {{cite book |editor-last=Lennox |editor-first=Duncan |title=Jane's Strategic Weapon Systems |number=38 |year=2003 |location=Coulsdon, Surrey, UK |publisher=Jane's Information Group |isbn=0-7106-0880-2}}
External links
- [http://missilethreat.csis.org/missile/dong-feng-41/ CSIS Missile Threat - Dong Feng 41]
{{Chinese_Missiles}}
Category:Intercontinental ballistic missiles of the People's Republic of China
Category:Military equipment introduced in the 2010s