GlobalMilitary.net Open-source military intelligence Updated daily
Ballistic Missiles ยทFactory 307

Missile JL-1 (CH-SS-N-3)

Introduced in 1986, China's JL-1 is a submarine-launched ballistic missile designed for strategic nuclear deterrence, distinguished as the country's first solid-fueled sea-based ballistic missile.

Range
1,770km
Technical Specifications
WarheadThermonuclear
Warhead weight600 kg (1,323 lb)
Nuclear yield250 kt
Diameter1,400 mm (55.1 in)
Length10,700 mm (421.3 in)
Weight14,700 kg (32,408 lb)
Range 1,770 km (1,100 mi)
JL-1 scale diagram
JL-1 โ€” Ballistic 1.75 m 10.70 m
Range
1,770 km
Weight
14.7 t
Warhead
600 kg
Nuclear Blast Simulator

See what a 250 kt strike from the JL-1 would do to a real city: set ground zero anywhere on Earth and map the fireball, blast, thermal and radiation rings.

Operators
๐Ÿ‡จ๐Ÿ‡ณ China
Compare This Missile
JL-1 vs

Description

The Julang-1 (JL-1; NATO reporting name CSS-N-3) was China's first-generation nuclear submarine-launched ballistic missile. Development of the system began in March 1967, and a theoretical design for a smaller thermonuclear warhead was completed in 1970. The land-based DF-21 appears to be a land-based version of the JL-1.

The JL-1 was a nuclear submarine-launched missile armed with a thermonuclear warhead.

Initial testing and deployment were conducted on a modified Golf-class ballistic missile submarine. The missile was deployed on the Type 092 Xia-class nuclear submarine in 1986. A 2011 US Department of Defense assessment described the operational status of the JL-1 as questionable. The JL-1 missile and its warheads have since been retired and dismantled.

Frequently Asked Questions

What type of missile is the JL-1?
The JL-1 (NATO reporting name: CH-SS-N-3) is a ballistic missile developed by China. It entered service in 1986.
What is the range of the JL-1?
The JL-1 has a maximum range of approximately 1,770 km (1,099 miles). Effective range varies with launch platform, altitude, and flight profile.
What warhead does the JL-1 carry?
The JL-1 carries a thermonuclear warhead weighing 600 kg.
How is the JL-1 guided?
The JL-1 uses inertial guidance.
Which countries use the JL-1?
The JL-1 is in service with 1 country: China.
Wikipedia (CC BY-SA) and other open sources. Last updated on 13 August 2026. Suggest a change
Latest Data Updates
  1. AUG 132026 Updated Lede service entry year corrected to the Xia-class deployment date
  2. AUG 132026 Created Page created: JL-1