JL-2

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The JL-2 (巨浪-2 Ju Lang-2, Giant Wave 2) is a Chinese second generation intercontinental-range submarine-launched ballistic missile (SLBM) which has a three-stage, solid-fuelled propulsion design. Accurate specifications of the new missile are hard to obtain and substantiate due to the secretive nature of the program. However, the missile is thought to be able to deliver its payload(s) up to a range of 7200-8000 km (4500-5000 miles) and could carry either single or multiple warheads (conventional or nuclear).

[edit] Capability

JL-2's design is based on the mobile land-based DF-31 ballistic missile. As such, it shares many features of DF-31 missile such as its operational range. There has been a debate among Western analysts whether the JL-2 missile is capable of carrying multiple warheads (MIRVs) because China has never fielded any ballistic missiles with such capability before. Most analysts within the U.S. intelligence community believes that the missile can carry only a single warhead (conventional or nuclear). Other analysts such as Jane's Defence asserted that the missile can deliver 3-4 MIRVs, each with a yield of 90 kt or a single warhead of 25-1,000 kt yield. The JL-2 SLBM will be carried on the new Chinese Type 094 (Jin-class) submarine. It will replace the earlier first-generation JL-1 SLBM which was primarily deployed by the older Type 092 (Xia-class) nuclear submarine.

The JL-2 missile is expected to provide China with its first credible sea-based nuclear deterrent. The expected operational range of the missile will allow it to reach Alaska, Hawaii, Guam, Russia, and India but not the continental United States from Chinese waters (Bohai Sea or South China Sea). To reach the U.S. mainland, the submarine carrying the missile would have to sail beyond Japan into the western Pacific Ocean. However, placing the missile on board a nuclear submarine will make it significantly harder to detect its whereabout. This will increase the missile's survivability and reduce the capability of the enemy to quickly respond to it. And once in the ocean, the missile can be launched to reach its target anywhere.

The general designer of the missile is Huang Weilu [黄纬禄] (1916-). The first sea launch of the JL-2 was reported to have taken place mid January 2001 from a modified Golf class Submarine. The missile is expected to enter initial operational capability within the 2009-2010 timeframe.