Missile Dongfeng DF-31 (CH-SS-10)
Chinese ICBM, entering service in 2017, uses astro-inertial guidance with BeiDou.
| Warhead | Nuclear MIRV |
| Warhead weight | 1050 kg (2,315 lb) |
| Nuclear yield | 1 Mt |
| Diameter | 2,370 mm (93.3 in) |
| Length | 21,600 mm (850.4 in) |
| Flight altitude | 1,200,000 m (3,937,008 ft) |
| Weight | 54,000 kg (119,049 lb) |
| Range | 11,200 km (6,959 mi) |
| Max. speed | 29,376 km/h (Mach 29.4) |
See what a 1 Mt strike from the Dongfeng DF-31 would do to a real city: set ground zero anywhere on Earth and map the fireball, blast, thermal and radiation rings.
Description
Development of the DF-31 intercontinental ballistic missile began in January 1985. The system was designed as a land-based variant of the JL-2 submarine-launched ballistic missile and was initially designated DF-23. The missile was first displayed publicly at the 1999 National Day Parade. A successful test flight was reported in August 1999, with subsequent test flights conducted in 2000.
The DF-31 is a three-stage, solid-fuel rocket. Guidance is provided by an astro-inertial system utilizing the BeiDou Navigation Satellite System. The baseline missile carries a single one-megaton thermonuclear warhead. The DF-31A variant is designed with multiple independent reentry vehicle (MIRV) capability to carry three to five 90-kiloton warheads, though it may also be configured with a single warhead and penetration aids. This variant also utilizes maneuverable reentry vehicles. The DF-31AG and DF-31B variants provide MIRV capability and utilize an eight-axle off-road transporter erector launcher (TEL). The DF-31BJ is a variant configured for silo-based operations.
The system is operated by the People's Liberation Army Rocket Force in China. The DF-31 entered service in 2006, the DF-31A in 2007, and the DF-31B in 2017. The missile is operationally deployed in both silo and road-mobile configurations. The DF-31AG was first unveiled during a 2017 military parade. There are no recorded instances of combat use.