| DF-21/CSS-5 Mod 1 | |
|---|---|
DF-21A and transporter erector launcher vehicle at the Beijing Military Museum. |
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| Type | MRBM/IRBM |
| Place of origin | China |
| Service history | |
| In service | 1991 |
| Used by | Second Artillery Corps |
| Production history | |
| Manufacturer | possibly the 4th Academy? |
| Unit cost | ? |
| Specifications | |
| Weight | 14,700 kilograms (32,000 lb) |
| Length | 10.7 metres (35 ft) |
| Diameter | 1.4 metres (4.6 ft) |
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| Warhead | 1, or 5-6 (improved variant)[4] 200-300-500 KT[5] |
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| Engine | Solid fueled |
| Wingspan | ? |
| Operational range |
2,150 kilometres (1,340 mi) (DF-21)[1] 2,700 kilometres (1,700 mi) (DF-21A) 1,700 kilometres (1,100 mi) (DF-21C) 3,000 kilometres (1,900 mi) (DF-21D ASBM)[2] |
| Flight altitude | ? |
| Speed | 500-800 Knots |
| Guidance system |
Inertial + terminal radar guidance [3] |
| Launch platform |
Mobile launcher or silo |
The Dong-Feng 21 (DF-21; NATO reporting name CSS-5 - Dong-Feng (simplified Chinese: 东风; traditional Chinese: 東風; pinyin: Dōngfēng; literally "East Wind")) is a two-stage, solid-propellant, single-warhead medium-range ballistic missile (MRBM) developed by China Changfeng Mechanics and Electronics Technology Academy. Development started in the late 1960s and was completed around 1985-86, but it was not deployed until 1991. It was developed from the submarine-launched JL-1 missile, and is China's first solid-fuel land-based missile. The U.S. Department of Defense estimates that China has 60-80 missiles and 60 launchers.[6]
Originally developed as a strategic weapon, the DF-21's later variants were designed for both nuclear and conventional missions. As well as a nuclear warhead of around 300kt, it is thought that high explosive, submunition and chemical warheads are available. The latest DF-21D was said to be the world's first anti-ship ballistic missile (ASBM). The DF-21 has also been developed into a space-capable anti-satellite/anti-missile weapon carrier.
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The basic variant DF 21 has a maximum range of 1,700 km, and a payload of 600 kg. The missile can carry a single 500kT nuclear warhead, with an estimated CEP of 300~400m. This version did not enter operational service.[7]
The DF-21A was operational by 1996 and has improved accuracy with an estimated circular error probable (CEP) of 100~300m, with both GPS and a radar-based terminal guidance system in a redesigned nose. It is thought to have a lower yield, around 90kt, but longer range (up to 2700 km).[7]
Revealed in 2006, DF-21C is believed to be a mod of DF-21. Its actual designation is unknown; it may be a version of the DF-25 missile. Its maximum range is believed to be about 1,700 kilometres (1,100 mi). The accuracy of DF-21C is comparable to a cruise missile. The new GPS-based guidance system has reduced the missile’s CEP to 30~40m, enabling it for precision-strike missions.[7]
In 2010, the DF-21C was being deployed in central Western China.[8]
The US Department of Defense has stated that China has developed and reached initial operating capability [9] of a conventionally-armed[10] high hypersonic[11] land-based anti-ship ballistic missile (ASBM) based on the DF-21. This would be the world's first ASBM and the world's first weapons system capable of targeting a moving aircraft carrier strike group from long-range, land-based mobile launchers.[12][13] [14] These would combine maneuverable reentry vehicles (MaRVs) with some kind of terminal guidance system. Such a missile may have been tested in 2005-6, and the launch of the Jianbing-5/YaoGan-1 and Jianbing-6/YaoGan-2 satellites would give the Chinese targeting information from SAR (Synthetic Aperture Radar) and visual imaging respectively. The upgrades would greatly enhance China's ability to conduct sea-denial operations to prevent US carriers from intervening in the Taiwan Strait.[15] A professor at the U.S. Naval War College says that carrier-killing missiles underscore that the U.S. can no longer assume naval supremacy as it has since the end of World War II.[16]Some have also suggested China could develop a "MIRVd" DF-21D with multiple independent missiles.[17]
China has recently launched a series of satellites to support its ASBM efforts:
KT series anti-ballistic / anti satellite missiles is reportedly a series of highly classified and thus little known missiles based on DF-21. Designed to intercept ballistic missiles and satellites, KT series utilizes experience gained from earlier FJ ABM developed decades earlier. Four models of KT series have been developed so far, including KT-1, KT-2, KT-2A and KT-III:
It is rumored that there are other versions of KT under development, but these claims have yet to be verified.
| Preceded by DF-5 |
DF-21 1999- |
Succeeded by DF-31 |
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