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DF-21D

DF-21/CSS-5 Mod 1
DF-21A TEL - Chinese Military Museum Beijing.jpg
DF-21 and transporter erector launcher vehicle at the Beijing Military Museum.
Type MRBM/IRBM
Place of origin China
Service history
In service 1991
Used by People's Liberation Army Rocket Force
Royal Saudi Strategic Missile Force
Specifications
Weight 14,700 kilograms (32,400 lb)
Length 10.7 metres (35 ft)
Diameter 1.4 metres (4.6 ft)
Warhead 1, or 5-6 (improved variant) 200-300-500 kt

Engine Solid fueled
Operational
range
1,770 km (1,100 mi) (DF-21/DF-21A)
1,700 km (1,100 mi) (DF-21C)
1,500 km (930 mi; 810 nmi) (DF-21D ASBM)
Speed Mach 10
Guidance
system
Inertial + terminal active radar guidance
Launch
platform
Mobile launcher

The Dong-Feng 21 (DF-21; NATO reporting name CSS-5 - Dong-Feng (simplified Chinese: 东风; traditional Chinese: 東風; literally: "East Wind")) is a two-stage, solid-fuel rocket, single-warhead medium-range ballistic missile (MRBM) in the Dong Feng series 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 in 2008 estimated that China had 60-80 missiles and 60 launchers; approximately 10-11 missiles can be built annually.

Originally developed as a strategic weapon, the DF-21's later variants were designed for both nuclear and conventional missions. It is thought able to carry a high explosive and submunition warheads, as well as a nuclear warhead of 300 kt. 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 weapon/anti-missile weapon carrier.

Though the launcher itself is mobile to reduce vulnerability, an actual launch unit requires support vehicles that can cover a 300×300-meter area, making it hard to move quickly and easier to detect. Also, the launcher is not made to travel off-road and requires solid ground when firing to prevent backblast and debris damage due to the hard launch, restricting its firing locations to roads and pre-made launch pads.

The basic variant DF-21 had a range of 1,770+ km, and a payload of 600 kg (1,300 lb) consisting of a single 500 kt nuclear warhead, with an estimated circular error probable (CEP) of 300~400 m; this version did not enter operational service. The DF-21A was operational by 1996 and has improved accuracy with an estimated CEP of 100~300 m. This version is reported to have a similar 1,770+ km range, with a potential extended range of 2,150 km (1,340 mi).


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Wikipedia

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