DF-31

DF-31 (CSS-10)
Type	Intercontinental ballistic missile
Place of origin	People's Republic of China
Service history
In service	2006 (DF-31), 2007 (DF-31A)
Production history
Manufacturer	Academy of Rocket Motors Technology (ARMT)
Specifications
Weight	42 t (41 long tons; 46 short tons)
Length	13 m (42 ft 8 in)
Diameter	2.25 m (7 ft 5 in)
Warhead	1 Nuclear @ 1 MT or 3 Nuclear (DF-31A) @ 20, 90, or 150 kt each with MaRVs
Engine	Solid fueled
Operational range	7,200–8,000 km (4,500–5,000 mi) (DF-31)[1][2] 11,200–12,000 km (7,000–7,500 mi) (DF-31A)[2][3]
Guidance system	Inertial + stellar update
Launch platform	Silo, 8 axle TEL

The Dong Feng 31 (Chinese: 东风导弹; literally "East Wind"; a.k.a. CSS-10) is a long-range, road-mobile, three stage, solid propellant intercontinental ballistic missile in the Dongfeng missile series developed by the People's Republic of China. It is designed to carry a single 1,000kt thermal nuclear warhead. It is a land-based variant of the submarine launched JL-2. It is operated by the Second Artillery Corps (SAC) which is estimated to have under 15 DF-31 missiles and under 15 DF-31A missiles in inventory.^[4]

The DF-31A is believed to have incorporated many advanced technologies similar to current generation Russian ICBMs, including the use of penetration aids such as decoys or chaff and maneuverable reentry vehicles to complicate enemy's missile warning and defense system.

History

The PRC began developing the DF-31 as a second-generation ICBM successor of the DF-4 in the mid-1980s. 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^[5]. On August 2, 1999, the Chinese state news media reported the successful test of the DF-31^{[citation needed]}. Operational deployment of the missiles reportedly began sometime between 2002–2003, but as of early 2006 the US Defense Department reported to Congress that initial deployment was expected later that year. In 2009, US Air Force Intelligence reported that under 15 DF-31 missiles had been deployed^[4].

Description

The DF-31 is a three stage solid-propellant rocket equipped with an inertial navigation system. The missile is mounted on a transport-erector launcher.

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^[2], and possibly MIRV capability to hold 3 warheads each capable of a 20-150 kt yield, and penetration and decoy aids to complicate missile defense efforts. In 2009 US Air Force Intelligence reported that under 15 DF-31A missiles had been deployed^[4].

Notes

1. ^ CSS-9 (DF-31), misslethreat.com
2. ^ ^{a b c} Office of the Secretary of Defense - Annual Report to Congress: Military Power of the People's Republic of China 2008 (PDF)[1]. 50
3. ^ DF-41, deagel.com
4. ^ ^{a b c} US Air Force Air and Space Intelligence Center, Ballistic and Cruise Missile Threats 2009 [2]
5. ^ The Federation of American Scientists & The Natural Resources Defense Council (DF-31A) Nov, 2006. 73 (PDF)[3]

References

DF-31 range

• Claremont Institute description
• Global Security description
• Sinodefense description
• DF-31A - CSS 9 (Czech)

External links

• Encyclopedia Astronautica

Preceded by DF-21

DF-31

Succeeded by DF-41