| DF-31 (CSS-10) | |
|---|---|
 DF-31 in Military Museum of the Chinese People's Revolution | |
| Type | Intercontinental ballistic missile |
| Place of origin | People's Republic of China |
| Service history | |
| In service | 2006 (DF-31), 2007 (DF-31A), 2017 (DF-31B) |
| Used by | People's Liberation Army Rocket Force |
| Production history | |
| Manufacturer | Academy of Rocket Motors Technology (ARMT) |
| Specifications | |
| Mass | 54 t (54,000 kg; 60short tons) |
| Length | 21.6 m (70 ft 10 in) |
| Diameter | 2.37 m (7 ft 9 in) |
| Warhead | 1 x 1Mt or 5 x 90kt[1] |
| Engine | Solid-fuel rocket |
Operational range | 7,200–8,000 km (4,500–5,000 mi) (DF-31)[2][3] 13,200 km (8,200 mi) (DF-31A)[3] |
| Flight altitude | up to 1200 km |
| Maximum speed | Up to 8.16 km/s |
Guidance system | Astro-inertial guidance withBeiDou Navigation Satellite System |
| Accuracy | 100 mCEP for silo launched and 150 m for TEL-launched.[4] |
Launch platform | Silo, 8 axleTEL |
TheDong 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 rocketintercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) in theDongfeng missile series developed by thePeople's Republic of China. It is designed to carry a single 1-megatonthermonuclear weapon. It is a land-based variant of thesubmarine-launchedJL-2. It is operated by thePeople's Liberation Army Rocket Force (PLARF). In 2009, the Chinese inventory was estimated as under 15 DF-31 missiles and under 15 DF-31A missiles.[6]US Air ForceNational 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]
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 theSecond Artillery Corps (SAC) which, 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]
The DF-31 is athree stagesolid-fuel rocket equipped with aninertial navigation system. The missile is mounted on atransporter erector launcher. It is capable of reaching targets throughout Europe, Asia, and parts of Canada and the northwestern United States.
The PRC has developed an improved variant of the DF-31 called the DF-31A. This upgraded missile has a reported range of 13,200 km,[3] will allow targeting of most of the continental United States[7] and was designed withMIRV capability to hold 3 to 5 warheads, each capable of a 90 kt yield, but is thought to be armed with only one warhead with penetration and decoy aids to complicate missile defense efforts.[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 carrymaneuverable reentry vehicles.[13]
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 axleTEL andMIRVs.[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]
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)