DF-41

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The Dongfeng-41 or DF-41 (Template:Lang-zh; NATO reporting name: CH-SS-20;[1] previously reported as CSS-10Template:Sfn) 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.[2] The missile was officially unveiled at the China National Day military parade on 1 October 2019.

Design

File:PLA ballistic missiles range.jpg
Range of various Chinese missiles (2007). The DF-41 has a similar range to the DF-5A (purple).

The missile reportedly has an operational range between Script error: No such module "convert"..[3] It is believed to have a top speed of Mach 25,[4] and to be capable of MIRV delivery (up to 10).[5] 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.[6] The project started in 1986,[5] 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.[7]

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.[8]

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.[9]

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.[10]

In August 2015, the missile was flight-tested for the fourth time.[11] In December 2015, the missile was flight-tested for the fifth time.Script error: No such module "Unsubst". In April 2016, China successfully conducted the 7th test of DF-41.Script error: No such module "Unsubst".

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.[12]

In November 2017, just two days before U.S. President Trump's visit to China, the DF-41 was tested in the Gobi Desert.[13][14]

On October 1, 2019, China publicly displayed the missiles for the first time on its 70th Anniversary National Day military parade. [15]

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.[16]

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.[17]

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.[18]

Together, the three new missile bases will house 350 to 400 new long-range nuclear missiles, U.S. officials said.[19][20]

References

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  12. Say Hello to China's ICBMs, SpaceDaily.com, 2017-01-30
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External links

Template:Chinese Missiles