DF-41

DF-41
DF-41 missile on a HTF5980.
Type	ICBM
Place of origin	China
Service history
In service	2017
Used by	People's Liberation Army Rocket Force
Production history
Manufacturer	China Academy of Launch Vehicle Technology (CALT)
Specifications
Mass	~80,000 kilograms (180,000 lb) [1]
Length	~22 metres (72 ft)[1]
Diameter	~2.25 m (7 ft 5 in)[1]
Warhead	8 x 250 kt or 10 x 150 kt MIRVs
Engine	Three-stage Solid-fuel rocket
Operational range	~12,000–15,000 kilometres (7,500–9,300 mi)[1]
Maximum speed	Mach 25 (31,425 km/h; 19,625 mph; 8,660 m/s)[2]
Guidance system	Inertial, likely with stellar updates and BeiDou[3]
Accuracy	~100 m CEP[3]
Launch platform	Silo, road-mobile Transporter erector launcher, rail-mobile

The Dongfeng-41 or DF-41 (simplified Chinese: 东风-41; traditional Chinese: 東風-41; lit. 'East Wind-41'; NATO reporting name: CH-SS-20^[4]) is a fourth-generation Chinese solid-fuelled road-mobile intercontinental ballistic missile operated by the People's Liberation Army Rocket Force (formerly the Second Artillery Corps). DF-41 is the fourth and the latest generation of the Dongfeng series strategic missiles developed by China.^[5] The missile was officially unveiled at the China National Day military parade on 1 October 2019.

The missile reportedly has an operational range between 12,000 to 15,000 kilometres (7,500 to 9,300 mi).^[1] It is believed to have a top speed of Mach 25,^[6] and to be capable of MIRV delivery (up to 10).^[7] The development of the MIRV technology is reported to be in response to the deployment of the United States national missile defense system which degrades China's nuclear deterrence capability.^[8] The project started in 1986,^[7] and may now be coupled with the JL-3 program.

Though there have been reports that the DF-41 can carry 3 to 8 warheads, analysts think it most likely carries only three warheads, with the additional payload used for many penetration aids.^[9]

In April 2013, Taiwan's National Security Bureau head reported to the Legislative Yuan that the DF-41 was still in development, and not yet deployed.^[10]

The U.S. Department of Defense in its 2013 report to Congress on China's military developments made no explicit mention of the DF-41, but did state that "China may also be developing a new road-mobile ICBM, possibly capable of carrying a multiple independently targetable re-entry vehicle (MIRV)", which may refer to the DF-41.^[11]

In August 2014, China's Shaanxi Provincial Environmental Monitoring Center website accidentally published a news report about an environmental monitoring site for a DF-41 ICBM; the news report (and entire website) was taken down shortly after getting public attention.^[12]

In August 2015, the missile was flight-tested for the fourth time.^[3] In December 2015, the missile was flight-tested for the fifth time.^{[citation needed]} In April 2016, China successfully conducted the 7th test of DF-41.^{[citation needed]}

On January 23, 2017, China was reported to have deployed a strategic ballistic missile brigade to Heilongjiang province, bordering Russia, along with another strategic ballistic missile brigade deploying to Xinjiang.^[13]

In November 2017, just two days before U.S. President Trump's visit to China, the DF-41 was tested in the Gobi Desert.^[14][15]

On October 1, 2019, China publicly displayed the missiles for the first time on its 70th Anniversary National Day military parade. ^[16]

On 5 December 2015, China conducted a launcher test of a new rail-mobile version of the DF-41, similar to the Russian RT-23 Molodets.^[17]

In 2021, the Federation of American Scientists (FAS) said China was building 120 missile silos for DF-41 near Yumen in Gansu and another 110 missile silos near Hami in Xinjiang.^[18]

A third site was discovered to be under construction near Ordos in Inner Mongolia in August, 2021. The new site will hold more than 100 ICBM.^[19]

Together, the three new missile bases will house 350 to 400 new long-range nuclear missiles, U.S. officials said.^[20][21]

• CSIS Missile Threat - Dong Feng 41