DF-5
The Dongfeng 5 (simplified Chinese: 东风-5; traditional Chinese: 東風-5; pinyin: Dōng Fēng Wǔ; lit. 'East Wind 5') or DF-5 is a second-generation two stage Chinese intercontinental ballistic missile. It has a length of 38.5 m and a diameter of 4.08 m. It weighs in at 312,500 kilograms and it has an estimated range of 7,000 to 10,000 kilometers. The DF-5 had its first flight in 1971 and was in operational service 10 years later. One of the limitations of the missile is that it takes between 30 and 60 minutes to load with liquid fuel (UDMH) and N2O4 oxidiser.
| DF-5/CSS-4 | |
|---|---|
Upper stage of the DF-5B, showing its redesigned nosecone to accommodate multiple reentry vehicles. | |
| Type | ICBM |
| Place of origin | People's Republic of China |
| Service history | |
| In service | 1981–present |
| Used by | People's Liberation Army Rocket Force |
| Production history | |
| Manufacturer | Factory 211 (Capital Astronautics Machinery Co.) |
| Specifications | |
| Mass | 312.5 tonnes (312,500 kg) |
| Length | 38.5 m (126 ft 4 in) |
| Diameter | 4.08 m (13 ft 5 in) |
| Warhead | One (DF-5 & DF-5A) MIRV (12 warheads) (DF-5B) |
| Blast yield | 5–20 Mt (non-MIRV warhead) or 12 x 1 Mt (MIRVs) |
| Engine | Two-stage Liquid-propellant rocket (UDMH/NTO) |
Operational range | 13,000–16,000 km (8,100–9,900 mi) |
| Maximum speed | Mach 22 (26,950 km/h; 16,745 mph; 7.486 km/s) |
Guidance system | Inertial + on-board computers |
| Accuracy | ~800 m (2,600 ft) CEP |
Launch platform | Silo |
By 2012, the DF-5 was planned to be replaced by the solid-fuelled DF-41. Around 2015, the newest variant DF-5B force are believed to have received a MIRV upgrade; according to Business Insider, with DF-5B: "China has the ability to deliver nuclear warheads nearly anywhere on earth (outside of South America, at least)".