DF-5
Encyclopedia
The Dongfeng 5[Wǔ] or DF-5 is a 3 stage Chinese
ICBM. It has a length 32.6 m and a diameter of 3.35 m. It weighs in at 183,000 kilograms and it has an estimated range of 12,000 to 15,000 kilometers. The DF-5 had its first flight in 1971 and was in operational service 10 years later. One of the downsides of the missile is that it takes between 30 and 60 minutes to fuel.
When the DF-5 was first tested in September 1971, it had a range of 10,000 to 12,000 km which allowed it to threaten the western portions of the United States. Beginning in 1983 the Chinese inaugurated the improved DF-5A, with range increased to over 15,000 km and a more accurate guidance system. The DF-5A upgrade increased the throw-weight
of the system from 3,000 kg to 3,200 kg.
As with the DF-4, initially the DF-5 was stored in a horizontal position in tunnels under high mountains, and are launched immediately outside the mouth of the tunnel. The missiles must be moved into the open and fueled prior to firing, an operational mode dubbed chu men fang pao (firing a cannon outdoors), with the fueling operation apparently requiring about two hours. The initial deployment of a pair of DF-5s in silos in Central China
was completed in 1981. That portion of the DF-5A force that is deployed in silos could be maintained in a ready-to-fire status. In order to enhance the survivability of these missiles, China has constructed a large number of decoy silos which consist of shallow holes excavations with headworks that resemble operational silos.
According to the National Air Intelligence Center, as of 1998 the deployed DF-5 force consisted of "fewer than 25" missile
s. From early 1999 to 2008 the total deployed DF-5 force was generally estimated at about 20 missiles.
s. Technical difficulties, however, had stalled the program. The PLA leadership may have planned to MIRV the DF-5A system, however there is no evidence that they have been deployed.
The Federation of American Scientists asserts that despite having the theoretical ability to develop MIRV payloads, China has not deployed or even flight tested MIRV buses or MRV delivery payloads due to the high cost of development and deployment, and a lack of military necessity.
The Defense Intelligence Agency and arms control oriented NGOs all concur that China's nuclear arsenal has not significantly increased from the 200-300 warheads it had deployed and in stockpile in the early 1980s. This would indicate that a more capable strategic nuclear force is not a high priority for the People's Liberation Army.
China
Chinese civilization may refer to:* China for more general discussion of the country.* Chinese culture* Greater China, the transnational community of ethnic Chinese.* History of China* Sinosphere, the area historically affected by Chinese culture...
ICBM. It has a length 32.6 m and a diameter of 3.35 m. It weighs in at 183,000 kilograms and it has an estimated range of 12,000 to 15,000 kilometers. The DF-5 had its first flight in 1971 and was in operational service 10 years later. One of the downsides of the missile is that it takes between 30 and 60 minutes to fuel.
History
The DF-5 was designed under the leadership of Tu Shou'e [屠守锷] at the China Academy of Launch Technology (CALT); Li Xu'e) [李绪鄂] served as deputy chief designer. The missile was produced at the China's Factory 211 (Capital Astronautics Co. [首都航天机械公司], also known as the Capital Machine Shop [首都机械厂]).When the DF-5 was first tested in September 1971, it had a range of 10,000 to 12,000 km which allowed it to threaten the western portions of the United States. Beginning in 1983 the Chinese inaugurated the improved DF-5A, with range increased to over 15,000 km and a more accurate guidance system. The DF-5A upgrade increased the throw-weight
Throw-weight
Throw-weight is a measure of the effective weight of ballistic missile payloads. It is measured in kilograms or metric tons. Throw-weight equals the total weight of a missile's warheads, reentry vehicles, self-contained dispensing mechanisms, penetration aids, and guidance systems — generally all...
of the system from 3,000 kg to 3,200 kg.
Deployment
China
Chinese civilization may refer to:* China for more general discussion of the country.* Chinese culture* Greater China, the transnational community of ethnic Chinese.* History of China* Sinosphere, the area historically affected by Chinese culture...
was completed in 1981. That portion of the DF-5A force that is deployed in silos could be maintained in a ready-to-fire status. In order to enhance the survivability of these missiles, China has constructed a large number of decoy silos which consist of shallow holes excavations with headworks that resemble operational silos.
According to the National Air Intelligence Center, as of 1998 the deployed DF-5 force consisted of "fewer than 25" missile
Missile
Though a missile may be any thrown or launched object, it colloquially almost always refers to a self-propelled guided weapon system.-Etymology:The word missile comes from the Latin verb mittere, meaning "to send"...
s. From early 1999 to 2008 the total deployed DF-5 force was generally estimated at about 20 missiles.
MIRV Upgrades
The current force of DF-5 missiles is deployed with a single warhead, but in November 1983 China inaugurated a DF-5A modification program to arm these ICBMs with MIRVed warheadWarhead
The term warhead refers to the explosive material and detonator that is delivered by a missile, rocket, or torpedo.- Etymology :During the early development of naval torpedoes, they could be equipped with an inert payload that was intended for use during training, test firing and exercises. This...
s. Technical difficulties, however, had stalled the program. The PLA leadership may have planned to MIRV the DF-5A system, however there is no evidence that they have been deployed.
The Federation of American Scientists asserts that despite having the theoretical ability to develop MIRV payloads, China has not deployed or even flight tested MIRV buses or MRV delivery payloads due to the high cost of development and deployment, and a lack of military necessity.
The Defense Intelligence Agency and arms control oriented NGOs all concur that China's nuclear arsenal has not significantly increased from the 200-300 warheads it had deployed and in stockpile in the early 1980s. This would indicate that a more capable strategic nuclear force is not a high priority for the People's Liberation Army.
Operators
- The People's Liberation ArmyPeople's Liberation ArmyThe People's Liberation Army is the unified military organization of all land, sea, strategic missile and air forces of the People's Republic of China. The PLA was established on August 1, 1927 — celebrated annually as "PLA Day" — as the military arm of the Communist Party of China...
Second Artillery CorpsSecond Artillery CorpsThe Second Artillery Corps is the strategic missile forces of the People's Republic of China. The SAC is the component of the People's Liberation Army that controls China's nuclear ballistic and conventional missiles. China's total nuclear arsenal size is estimated to be about 240 nuclear weapons...
is the only operator of the DF-5.
External links
- http://www.sinodefence.com/strategic/missile/df5.asp