DF-5

DF-5A/CSS-4 Mod 2
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[1]–present
Used by	Second Artillery Corps
Production history
Manufacturer	Factory 211 (Capital Astronautics Co.)
Specifications
Weight	183 tonnes (180 long tons; 202 short tons)
Length	32.6 m (106 ft 11 in)
Diameter	3.35 m (11 ft 0 in)
Warhead	One or MIRV (3-8 warheads) confirmed on later variants[2][3]
Blast yield	4–5 Mt (non-MIRV warhead)[1]
Engine	Two-stage Liquid-propellant rocket
Operational range	12,000–15,000 km (7,500–9,300 mi)[4]
Speed	Mach 22 (26,950 km/h; 16,745 mph; 7.486 km/s)
Guidance system	Inertial + on-board computers [5]
Accuracy	~800 m (2,600 ft) CEP
Launch platform	Silo

The Dongfeng 5[Wǔ] (simplified Chinese: 东风-5; traditional Chinese: 東風-5, literally "East Wind 5") or DF-5 is a three stage Chinese ICBM. It has a length of 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 limitations of the missile is that it takes between 30 and 60 minutes to fuel. The DF-5 is due to be replaced by the DF-41.^[6] 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)".^[7]

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]).

The DF-5 was first flight tested in 1971, with final tests into the Pacific Ocean in May 1980.^[8] Two silo-based missiles were put into 'trial operational deployment' in 1981.^[8] 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 1986 the Chinese started developing the improved DF-5A,^[8] 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.

Deployment

DF-5 range (2007 estimation)

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 and Space Intelligence Center, as of 1998 the deployed DF-5 force consisted of "fewer than 25" missiles. From early 1999 to 2008 the total deployed DF-5 force was generally estimated at about 20 missiles.^[9]

DF-5B

According to a 2015 Pentagon report, Business Insider, Jane's Defence Weekly, and The Diplomat. China had begun to MIRV its DF-5s.^{[10][11][12][13][14]}

It is believed about three to eight warheads can be placed on each MIRVed missile.^{[13][15][16][17]} An improved version, named DF-5B, was shown to the public during the parade in Beijing celebrating 70 years since the end of World War II on September 3, 2015.^[18][19] By that time, the DoD estimated China possessed 20 are DF-5 ICBMs, with 10 of them being DF-5B variants containing MIRVs. Although China has had the technology to field MIRV warheads for decades, they have only recently begun to do so, likely in response to the development of the American ballistic missile defense system.^[20]

Gallery

• 
  First stage of the DF-5B
• 
  Another view of the first stage

Operators

•  People's Republic of China: The People's Liberation Army Second Artillery Corps is the only operator of the DF-5.

See also

• China and weapons of mass destruction

References

External links

• CSIS Missile Threat - Dong Feng 5 A/B
• http://www.sinodefence.com/strategic/missile/df5.asp
• DF-5

1. ↑ http://www.janes.com/article/65208/airshow-china-2016-casc-unsheathes-its-hidden-blade-lightweight-missile-system