| DF-41 | |
|---|---|
 DF-41 missile on aHTF5980. | |
| Type | ICBM |
| Place of origin | China |
| Service history | |
| In service | 2017 |
| Used by | People's Liberation Army Rocket Force |
| Production history | |
| Manufacturer | China Academy of Launch Vehicle Technology (CALT) |
| Specifications | |
| Mass | ~80,000 kilograms (180,000 lb)[1] |
| Length | ~22 metres (72 ft)[1] |
| Diameter | ~2.25 m (7 ft 5 in)[1] |
| Warhead | 8 x 250 kt or 10 x 150 ktMIRVs |
| Engine | Three-stageSolid-fuel rocket |
Operational range | ~12,000–15,000 kilometres (7,500–9,300 mi)[1] |
| Maximum speed | Mach 25 (31,425 km/h; 19,625 mph; 8,660 m/s)[2] |
Guidance system | Inertial, likely with stellar updates andBeiDou[3] |
| Accuracy | ~100 m CEP[3] |
Launch platform | Silo, road-mobileTransporter erector launcher, rail-mobile |
TheDongfeng-41 orDF-41 (simplified Chinese:东风-41;traditional Chinese:東風-41;lit. 'East Wind-41';NATO reporting name:CH-SS-20;[4] previously reported asCSS-10[5]) is a fourth-generation Chinesesolid-fuelledroad-mobileintercontinental ballistic missile operated by thePeople's Liberation Army Rocket Force (formerly theSecond Artillery Corps). DF-41 is the fourth and the latest generation of theDongfeng series strategic missiles developed by China.[6] The missile was officially unveiled at theChina National Day military parade on 1 October 2019.
The missile reportedly has an operational range between 12,000 to 15,000 kilometres (7,500 to 9,300 mi).[1] It is believed to have a top speed of Mach 25,[7] and to be capable ofMIRV delivery (up to 10).[8] The development of the MIRV technology is reported to be in response to the deployment of theUnited States national missile defense system which degrades China'snuclear deterrence capability.[9] The project started in 1986,[8] and may now be coupled with theJL-3 program.
Though there have been reports that the DF-41 can carry 3 to 8warheads, analysts think it most likely carries only three warheads, with the additional payload used for manypenetration aids.[10]
In April 2013,Taiwan'sNational Security Bureau head reported to theLegislative Yuan that the DF-41 was still in development, and not yet deployed.[11]
TheU.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 amultiple independently targetable re-entry vehicle (MIRV)", which may refer to the DF-41.[12]
In August 2014, China'sShaanxi 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.[13]
In August 2015, the missile was flight-tested for the fourth time.[3] In December 2015, the missile was flight-tested for the fifth time.[citation needed] In April 2016, China successfully conducted the 7th test of DF-41.[citation needed]
On January 23, 2017, China was reported to have deployed a strategic ballistic missilebrigade toHeilongjiang province, bordering Russia, along with another strategic ballistic missilebrigade deploying toXinjiang.[14]
In November 2017, just two days before U.S. President Trump's visit to China, the DF-41 was tested in theGobi Desert.[15][16]
On October 1, 2019, China publicly displayed the missiles for the first time onits 70th Anniversary National Daymilitary parade.[17]
On 5 December 2015, China conducted a launcher test of a new rail-mobile version of the DF-41, similar to the RussianRT-23 Molodets.[18]
In 2021, the Federation of American Scientists (FAS) said China was building 120 missile silos for DF-41 nearYumen inGansu and another 110 missile silos nearHami inXinjiang.[19]
A third site was discovered to be under construction nearOrdos inInner Mongolia in August, 2021. The new site will hold more than 100 ICBM.[20]
Together, the three new missile bases will house 350 to 400 new long-range nuclear missiles, U.S. officials said.[21][22]